[Back to Influential Marylanders Winners]

Dr. Michael Galiazzo

President
Regional Manufacturing Institute of Maryland

Growing up in Dundalk, Dr. Michael Galiazzo saw what manufacturing can do to raise the standard of living for a community. He understands that high levels of traditional, old-style manufacturing may not be seen again, but he has a vision for what it can be. He has dedicated nearly 30 years of his professional career to the manufacturing sector because he knows the importance of providing avenues and opportunities for residents.

While working at Dundalk Community College in 1990, he helped to create, through an onsite incubator, the Regional Manufacturing Institute of Maryland dedicated to representing the interests of state manufacturers and to providing programs, services and advocacy.

“Every day is very rewarding because we are doing something meaningful to help manufacturing and the people who work in manufacturing,” Galiazzo says. “We want to try to help Maryland manufacturers to be globally competitive and we are an advocacy group, but we also focus on workforce issues and essentially solving problems manufactures are having.”

Gailiazzo is driven to aid manufacturing because the industry provides job opportunities and economic development. The nonprofit aims to help manufacturers by having them learn about advanced technologies so they may grow and become more competitive.

Many communities have been hurt through the loss of manufacturing. “They still need a voice out there to try to help (recruit) the next generation of Maryland manufacturing,” he says. “… Business is really the vehicle to helping people and communities.”

[Back to Influential Marylanders Winners]