AFL (Spartanburg, SC), an international manufacturer of fiber-optic cable, connectivity and equipment, today announced that Mary Ellen Grom, AFL Executive Director of Customer Experience Solutions, has been elected chair of the Women in Manufacturing Education Foundation (WiMEF) board of directors. WiMEF is committed to developing and supporting powerful programs and resources which further the advancement for women in the manufacturing workforce.
“What a privilege this is to serve such an incredibly diverse team of leaders driving growth for the Education Foundation,” said Grom. "The future’s so bright, and I step forward alongside the WiM team and this board of directors to discover all that is next for women in this dynamic industry—on both the professional talent side and the production/plant workforce development side.”
Mary Ellen Grom joined AFL in 2017 as the company's Executive Director of Marketing Communications, leading the company’s external and internal strategic marketing efforts. In 2020, she was promoted to Executive Director of Customer Experience Solutions and leads the company’s marketing, customer service and inside sales teams. With 25 years of experience in the IT channel distribution industry, she previously served as Vice President of US Marketing with SYNNEX Corporation.
As noted by a press statement, Grom was instrumental in launching AFL’s newest employee resource group, Women Everywhere Connect (WeConnect), which celebrates women who pursue careers in manufacturing. She joined the WiMEF board in April 2020.
“We are thrilled to have Mary Ellen serve as chair of WiMEF in 2021,” commented WiM President Allison Grealis. “Mary Ellen is a passionate advocate for furthering the advancement of women who have chosen careers in the manufacturing industry. Her efforts to launch AFL’s WeConnect align with WiM’s mission of supporting, promoting and inspiring women in the industry. I look forward to working with Mary Ellen and the WiMEF board to provide effective and affordable educational opportunities to help women further their careers in manufacturing.”
WiMEF funds the Leadership Institute for Women in Manufacturing and STEM, the Leadership Consortium, the Management Development Program, and the Empowering Women in Production Program. In addition, the foundation, with direct support from Arconic Foundation, has delivered more than 40 virtual learning sessions since its inception in 2016. These programs have helped more than 12,000 women and men in the industry grow professionally and personally.
To learn more about AFL, its products and services, visit www.AFLglobal.com.