AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology has announced that vice president and chief technology officer Tim Shinbara was recently named a Congressional Fellow – Manufacturing by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) for 2020-2021. Shinbara began serving in the office of Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship on June 2. 

“We congratulate Tim on this prestigious fellowship and believe that his work with the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship could not have come at a better time,” said Douglas K. Woods, president of AMT. “Pressure has been growing in the United States for better alignment between government initiatives and private sector industries deemed critical to national security. These include more emphasis on public private partnerships (PPP), support of small- to medium-sized manufacturing businesses through R&D tax credits and other incentives, and stronger advancement of technology in the manufacturing technology industry – all three areas in which the Committee works. Tim will bring valuable industry experience to committee testimony and be in a position to strategically advise AMT members about PPP opportunities and other federal initiatives that advance their business and the manufacturing technology (MT) industry in general.”

At AMT, Shinbara is responsible for AMT’s data-centric strategy, industrial R&D activities, and global manufacturing technology discovery. His expertise spans applied R&D in additive manufacturing, composite fabrication, technology transition experience at Northrop Grumman Corporation, IT/operations technology (IT/OT) data interoperability, and small business and startup endeavors providing supply chain visibility and integration.

Shinbara also currently serves as a board officer of the MTConnect Institute and has previously served as a member of the Leadership Council for MForesight and chaired or served on committees for additive manufacturing (ASTM F42.05 Materials and Processes, America Makes Executive Committee) and digital manufacturing and data interoperability. Shinbara is a U.S. Navy veteran and earned Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Purdue University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Pepperdine University in California.

“ASME is pleased to add Tim Shinbara to the distinguished roster of engineers who have provided valuable service to our nation through the Federal Government Fellowship Program,” said ASME Executive Director/CEO Tom Costabile. “As federal legislation becomes increasingly technical, the need for engineering expertise is essential. Our government fellows have been key advisors to elected officials and federal staff in areas including advanced manufacturing, aerospace, critical infrastructure, energy, and engineering education, while gaining rich experience in many aspects of the public policy making process.”