Manufacturing Modernization
assessments for inland empire
Manufacturers at no cost.

Molly Burgess has been General Manager and majority partner of RedFusion Media for over 20 years.  A small marketing consulting firm in southern California, she coordinated policy design, oversaw marketing campaign projects, and helped move the company from 2 employees to over 12 employees, who created over 500 website designs and dozens of successful campaigns, in the span of a decade. In 2014, Molly contracted with the Manufacturers’ Council of the Inland Empire (MCIE) to produce a regional summit event. The successful, all-day program focused on relevant information for manufacturing floor supervisors through C-suite officers and owners.  In 2015, Burgess was contracted as the Executive Director of MCIE and continues in that position now. When she learned about the high drop-out rates at local high schools, Burgess was moved to enlarge the work of the Manufacturers’ Council to include a student, parents, and public outreach within the programming of the organization. Informing this population about the family-supporting careers in regional manufacturing, and the training that is available for the many opportunities in the industry, has become a focus of the organization. Helping to correct the historic impression that manufacturing jobs are dirty jobs, and that training in advanced manufacturing technologies will enable workers and companies to succeed in the future, is an ongoing passion for Burgess. Molly holds a degree in British Literature with additional studies in Business Administration from the University of Colorado.

Sarah Johnson is a seasoned business development, events, and marketing professional with expertise across industries such as manufacturing, fashion, technology, government, non-profit, and apparel. Over the past decade, she has built strong relationships with key decision-makers, leveraging extensive networking to generate C-level contacts. Starting her career in mobile marketing and technology, Sarah helped businesses across sectors establish their brands through innovation. This foundational experience set the stage for her future roles, including her impactful tenure with various associations in the manufacturing sector. There, she led initiatives that enhanced member benefits, developed educational events, and boosted the overall value of the organizations. With a deep understanding of the political and regulatory challenges businesses face, Sarah is dedicated to helping clients navigate these complexities. Passionate about philanthropy, she uses her influence to support meaningful causes and has contributed to fundraising and awareness efforts across various sectors. Sarah currently serves as Chair of the Women in Manufacturing (WiM) California Chapter, where she advocates for women’s advancement in the industry.

Sandra Sisco is a professional with extensive experience in California’s economic and workforce advancement systems. She has spent over 12 years working within the California Community College system, securing more than $50 million in funding to develop and implement relevant training models for the manufacturing and logistics industries. Sandra has pioneered the first competency-based registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs in California, resulting in high-quality training programs. She is recognized as a leader in workforce development, forging strategic partnerships with stakeholders to scale successful frameworks. Her expertise and insights make her a sought-after partner for driving change in the field of workforce development. As an educator, Sandra joined the MCIE in 2010 and assumed the role of coordinating Manufacturers’ Council meetings. From the outset, she was struck by the manufacturers’ determination to address the craft trades workforce shortage. Sandra quickly recognized the value that the MCIE brought to the region by bringing together manufacturing leaders, educational institutions, and government agencies to develop a sustainable pipeline of skilled workers.

Debbie has over two decades of experience as an integral part of the Manufacturers’ Council of the Inland Empire. Her contributions include spearheading the Manufacturer’s Summit in 2011, which has since become an annual event with sold-out attendance. The summits have featured keynote speakers, equipment vendors, and educational breakout sessions, offering valuable information on topics such as production, lean practices, and marketing to support and grow manufacturing in the Inland Empire.  Before joining the Council, Debbie worked for more than 22 years at Chaffey College in the Economic & Workforce Development Department. Most recently as the Administrator at the Industrial Technical Learning Center (InTech), overseeing professional and technical training delivered at the vocational trade school.  She was instrumental in garnering more than $18.8 million in grant and contract awards to fund training specific to manufacturing.  As Community Relations Director for the Manufacturers’ Council of the Inland Empire, she continues to work with educators, manufacturers, and regional partners to strengthen the industry by connecting resources, services, and a trained workforce, to help ensure manufacturing thrives in the region.

John P. Beall is Communications Strategist for the Manufacturers Council of the Inland Empire. A Redlands native, he comes from a manufacturing family—his great-grandfather was an inventor and battery manufacturer in Redlands—an influence that sparked his long-standing interest in energy and industrial systems. His background includes finance, investing, policy, and marketing, including renewable energy finance at M&T Bank’s Commercial Equipment Finance group. Beall holds an MBA from Georgetown University.

Nick Schultz has thirty years of direct experience in the fields of Economic and Workforce Development. He is a nationally recognized expert and seasoned leader with a proven track record of creating operational efficiency, innovative and responsive program development and leading high functioning teams. Nick’s unique ability to understand both the big picture and place centric need has allowed him to continually partner with both private and public investors to fund signatures initiatives recognized for their lasting impact on the built environment, business community and for residents. He has led specific efforts funded by the Annie Casey Foundation, Aspen Institute, Bloomberg Philanthropies, James Irvine Foundation, Kauffman Foundation, Wells Fargo, Walmart Foundation, Forward Cities, Living Cities and the United States Departments of Commerce, Defense, Housing & Urban Development and Justice. Nick’s signature achievement is evidenced most directly by the City of Long Beach’s notoriety as Space Beach. He authored the Defense Industry Adjustment proposals and managed the projects that saw the workforce transition, supply chain stabilization/optimization and physical transformation of the former Boeing C17 facility and surrounding commercial corridors into the Western United States leading technology commercialization and satellite/rocket manufacturing hub.

Nick holds a Master’s Degree in Diplomacy from Norwich University, is a Marrano Fellow of the Aspen Institute’s Sector Skills Academy, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government Inaugural Class of Leading in a New Age, Past Vice-President of both the California Workforce Association, and the US Conference of Mayor’s Workforce Development Council, and member of the Linked Learning Alliance Equity Council.