NCDMM announces leadership transition at AMIIC

The National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) announced John Schmitt, founding Executive Director of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation and Integration Center (AMIIC) located in Huntsville, AL, will transition to the role of Executive Consultant effective immediately. The organization has appointed Jamie White, previously the Director of Program Development for NCDMM, as the Senior Director of AMIIC.

Established in 2021 by NCDMM, AMIIC has been instrumental in bridging the workforce gap in Alabama and advocating for the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies, particularly to meet the modernization needs of the U.S. Army and small- to medium-sized manufacturers who are critical to the defense industrial base.

Schmitt has spearheaded AMIIC’s ability to advance regional technologies of interest through innovation, seamless integration, and workforce development across government, industry, and academia. Under his direction, AMIIC has supported numerous local and regional partners in areas such as process and supply chain enhancement, product development, technology adoption, skills gap analysis, workforce planning, and career pathway development. AMIIC's impact, enabled through NCDMM’s robust Education and Workforce Development (EWD) programs, also includes internships, apprenticeships, workforce training, stackable credentials, K-12 engagement, and DEI-focused worker training. To date, AMIIC has trained over 1,600 students and professionals.

"John’s leadership, unique understanding of the industrial base, and experience have been crucial in shaping AMIIC into the innovation hub it is today,” says NCDMM Vice President and Chief Development Officer Randy Gilmore. "As John passes the torch, we are confident that Jamie’s deep knowledge, expertise, and unwavering commitment will build upon the strong foundation he helped shape at AMIIC, further advancing our mission. I am grateful for John’s service and look forward to collaborating with him in a consulting role on future initiatives.”

Before his 2021 AMIIC appointment as Executive Director, Schmitt retired from the U.S. Army as a Lieutenant Colonel with over 20 years of service, including two combat tours in Iraq. He remains active in the Huntsville community as a small business owner and entrepreneur, serving on the boards of Little Orange Fish and Rocket City Civil Rights, LLC, and the advisory boards of GeneCapture Inc., ASCTE, and the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) College of Science.

"It has been an incredible honor to lead the talented AMIIC team and serve our amazing community over the past three years. Together with our partners, we have built something truly transformative for Alabama and created a lasting impact across the broader national defense manufacturing landscape," says Schmitt. "I am proud of what we’ve built together and deeply grateful for the support from NCDMM and our partners. While there is still much to accomplish, I’m confident that the powerful partnerships we’ve cultivated will enable the AMIIC team to make an even greater impact in the future.”

White officially joined NCDMM in 2023 after having served as a U.S. Army civilian since 2005 at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville. While at Redstone, he served as the aviation manufacturing technology (ManTech) branch chief at the U.S.

Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Aviation & Missile Center (AvMC), and as Deputy Director of the Innovation Capability and Modernization (ICAM) Office under the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSD(A&S). He played a vital role in establishing AMIIC, garnering support from the Huntsville community to shape its vision. With his deep knowledge of the Department of Defense (DOD) and manufacturing, White excels at identifying, developing, and prioritizing innovative technology programs and business opportunities aligning with the capabilities of NCDMM, and the needs of the DOD.

"AMIIC has further enhanced NCDMM’s long-standing reputation as a local, and regional, trusted partner in manufacturing and workforce modernization, and I’m honored to take on the role of Senior Director," states White. "With NCDMM’s strong legacy of driving innovation and meeting DoD needs, I’m excited to further expand our impact in North Alabama and beyond. Over the past three years, the team has built a solid foundation for NCDMM operations in Huntsville through collaboration, meeting customer needs, and serving as an unbiased partner. I’m confident we are poised for continued success and am extremely grateful to NCDMM leadership for their trust and support."