Oren Cass on stage in 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Cropped photo by Stephen McCarthy / Collision / Sportsfile, via Creative Commons license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

The San Joaquin Valley Manufacturing Alliance (SJVMA) has announced year’s Valley Made Manufacturing Summit keynote speaker.

The SJVMA 10th annual summit will take place Oct. 29 at the Fresno Convention Center Exhibit Hall.

This year’s keynote speaker is Oren Cass, founder and chief economist of American Compass, a conservative Washington D.C.-based think tank, and author of “The Once and Future Worker: A Vision for the Renewal of Work in America.”

He is also a contributing opinion writer for the Financial Times and The New York Times and advocates for revitalizing American industry and labor.

The year’s summit marks a decade of uniting industry leaders, educators, workforce partners and policymakers to strengthen and grow manufacturing in the Central Valley, according to a news release.

The 2025 theme for the event is “Forging the Future: Uniting Industry, Education, and Innovation for Manufacturing Excellence.” It will showcase how collaboration across sectors is essential for securing America’s economic future, strengthening domestic supply chains and developing a highly skilled workforce.

“Manufacturing is critical to a strong economy — and its future depends on our ability to promote innovation, investment, and workforce development,” said Cass. “I’m honored to join the Valley Made Manufacturing Summit to share ideas and engage with the San Joaquin Valley’s vibrant manufacturing community.”

Cass has previously served as domestic policy director for Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign and spent a decade as a management consultant with Bain & Co.

Cass founded American Compass in 2020 to advocate for policies that support a healthy labor market and resilient communities.

Over 900 attendees are expected to attend the Valley Made Manufacturing Summit, bringing together CEOs, technology leaders, HR professionals, educators and workforce partners to share knowledge, build connections and shape the future of manufacturing in the Central Valley.

“Oren Cass brings a powerful and timely message to our manufacturing community and beyond,” said Genelle Taylor Kumpe, CEO of SJVMA and the Fresno Business Council (FBC). “His insights into the intersection of industry, workforce, and public policy align perfectly with our mission to position the San Joaquin Valley as a national leader in modern manufacturing.”

Registration and sponsorship opportunities will be available soon. Interested businesses are encouraged to reach out early to secure their spot. For more information and updates, visit sjvma.org/summit.