Robert Randolph was named the inaugural Executive Director of the Center for Advanced Manufacturing at Ozarks Technical Community College. Randolph will help guide the implementation of the state-of-the-art technical education facility and manage its operations once it opens in August of 2022. The OTC Board of Trustees approved Randolph’s hiring at its monthly meeting today, May 13.
“We were looking for someone who could speak the language of manufacturing and understand the needs of employers,” said Dr. Hal Higdon, OTC chancellor. “In Robert, we’ve found the perfect fit of someone who not only knows the industry, but is also familiar with the local manufacturing environment.”
Randolph will begin his duties at OTC on June 3 after spending nearly seven years at CNH Industrial Reman in Springfield. Randolph is currently the manufacturing engineer manager for CNH, where he is in charge of the manufacturing engineering, maintenance and salvage departments. Randolph’s position also requires him to oversee the entire facility, which includes everything from repairing equipment to ensuring the grounds are properly maintained. Randolph began his career at CNH in salvage and machining. In this role, he evaluated what equipment was necessary to meet the goals of the organization, procured the necessary materials and made sure it was operating properly.
“Southwest Missouri has never had a facility like the Center for Advanced Manufacturing,” Randolph said. “I look forward to serving as a bridge between employers and the institution that educates the next generation of workers. I’m excited to get in on the ground floor of this project.”
Prior to CNH Reman, Randolph worked as a manufacturing engineer at Tuthill Vacuum and Blower Systems in Springfield, and he was also a project engineer for Yarbrough Industries.
Randolph earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial management from Missouri State University, and he later earned a master’s in project management from MSU. Randolph is no stranger to OTC having served on the advisory committee for the Precision Machining Technology Program. He also assisted in curriculum development for OTC’s new remanufacturing pathway.