Thomas Kurfess, executive director of the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute, was one of the featured panelists at the Robins Regional Chamber’s Eggs and Issues breakfast event on September 8. The topic of discussion was the Robins Air Force Base (RAFB) 21st Century Partnership.

The 21st Century Partnership, a Georgia nonprofit corporation, is the only community enterprise dedicated solely to preserving the military presence of Robins Air Force Base, while helping Middle Georgia communities prepare to avert potential efforts to marginalize the missions of the base. RAFB hires approximately 300 scientists and engineers each year.

The Eggs & Issues breakfast series, sponsored by the Robins Regional Chamber, focuses on timely topics of local interest related to their middle Georgia community. This event discussed the 21st Century Partnership’s priorities, progress, and engagement opportunities.

The panelists included:

• Brigadier General John Kubinec, USAF, retired, president and CEO, 21st Century Partnership
• Angie Gheesling, executive director, Houston County Development Authority
• Paul Jones, president, Fort Valley State University
• Ivan Allen, president, Central Georgia Technical College
• Thomas Kurfess, executive director, Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute

Aaron Stebner, associate professor in the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, and Greg King, associate vice president for economic development at Georgia Tech, were also representing Georgia Tech at the event. Kurfess, professor in the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and the HUSCO/Ramirez Distinguished Chair in Fluid Power and Motion Control, regularly visits Robins Air Force Base to support a long-standing relationship with Georgia Tech.

Stebner and Kurfess are leading a $65 million U.S. Department of Commerce economic development administrative award to create a Georgia Artificial Intelligence Manufacturing Technology Corridor with the vision of collaborative innovation and economic development across all regions of the state.