Monday Manufacturing Motivation – with Gene Jones

Curt Anderson 0:01
Alright guys, happy Monday and man what a special day today Damon, Happy Valentine’s to you brother. How are

Damon Pistulka 0:08
you? I’m great Curt and Happy Valentine’s Day back.

Curt Anderson 0:11
atcha Thanks, Brett. You know big bromance here between the two of us. Everybody knows that. So guys, wonderful weekend. It was an amazing weekend. Great Superbowl, except for our friends in the Buckeye State. So what a great game and so simply goes to the bangle fans out there, but great win for LA. So guys, today we have an absolutely incredible, wonderful guest. I am so thrilled and honored to introduce to you Gene Jones from the Purdue MEP Jean. Good morning. Good afternoon. How are you today?

Eugene Jones 0:39
Very good, Curt. Thanks for having me.

Curt Anderson 0:42
Absolutely. So this is an honor and privilege we have so much uncovered in a short period of time. So Gene, you have a unique title. You’re the Senior Services Manager for cybersecurity in defense. And this is what the Purdue MEP that’s the Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership. So let’s start here, we’re going to kind of we have an order that we’re going to run into as our line of questioning. Let’s start with this. So anybody out there that is not familiar with what the MEP Manufacturing Extension Partnership is, could you please enlighten our listeners? What is going on at the MEP? What does it what service do you guys provide for manufacturers?

Eugene Jones 1:19
Well, yeah, thanks for that Curt. Every state and Puerto Rico, and there’s even some US possessions that have manufacturing extension partnerships. So we’re everywhere. That’s number one. And we’re really there to support the small to medium manufacturers within those given states. We recognize that small to medium manufacturers may not have specific expertise in unique areas, you know, for example, cyber or defense, which is which is my area. And so we bring that expertise to the small business for the time that they need it at a price that they can afford. And we’ll talk about it in more detail. For example, my programs are sometimes in many times supported by DOD funding, you know, cyber defense, but MEPs have had since 2005, Purdue MEP in particular has had a huge economic impact on the state of Indiana over $5 billion in that 1516 year period. I don’t know the exact numbers for every state and US possession MEP. But they all have that sort of impact on the small to medium manufacturers in their state. And really, there’s a wide range of services that I know we’re going to get into. But at the it’s about improving the top line, how to how to be more effective and efficient to increase profit, or how to be more effective and efficient in the other direction to reduce expenses. Yeah,

Curt Anderson 3:02
yeah. Excellent. So this is fantastic Gene. So again, MEP, there’s one in all 50 states plus Puerto Rico. Sometimes there are parts at universities such as yours at Purdue, I know other states have the same thing. In other cases, they’re nonprofits or other aspects. So So again, whatever state you’re coming to us from, you want to check out your local manufacturing extension partnership. So Gene, let’s take a deep dive. And so what we love to do is we showcase and shine a bright light on the amazing enormous amount of talent at the MEP network on a national scope. And men look no further than here. I know you’re super humble guy. But you could be that humble because you’re my phone lover. You’re right. So you know, Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your significant other. But let’s talk about your background. And again, you know, you and I goof around a lot but boy very seriously, my hat’s off to you. God bless you. You are Navy vet served our country probably for many, many years. You’re a graduate of the Naval Academy. You have a master’s degree, I believe from Marymount University, you have a master’s degree from Old Dominion. David total and underachiever here, I must say Right. Yeah. Yeah. You know, you’ve served on submarines all over the world. So Gene, Just could you take us a little bit on your background, your service to our country? What led you into the Navy to begin with the Naval Academy and just hear a little bit on your journey before we dig back into the MEP network?

Eugene Jones 4:26
Well, my journey I mean, I could I don’t want to take you told me that to be humble. But I mean, I don’t want to take the whole 30 minutes I’m on my journey through a professional career. But so let’s let’s go with the let’s go with the Cliff Notes. I mean, you know, from a military family, right, my father was a US Marine. And so going to the Naval Academy was a natural progression for me as a as a graduate of Quantico High School, right. And then from the Naval Academy going into the Submarine Force Submarine Force today, the US Navy Submarine Force today is a nuclear powered submarine force. So I was intrigued by the just the technology not only of submarines, but of nuclear propulsion. And, and we go through a career track where there’s a heavy focus on engineering, understanding the propulsion plan and the interactions of the systems and continuous training and practicing different sort of scenarios in that environment. And so that, you know, off and on submarines over the course of about 20 years, so submarine to shore duty to give you a break, because it is a really fast paced environment, and you do need a break from it. So, you know, I’m sure I did various things, training schools, manpower, jobs. And then toward the end of my career, it was more executive leadership type of positions. You know, there was a posting in Belgium, there was a posting in Bahrain. And there was a posting in Hawaii, but you probably wish you had some Hawaii weather today.

Curt Anderson 6:10
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It’s like 1520 degrees out. So absolutely. Did you have so you’ve literally been all over the world was there all sorts of adventures like, and we would love to take, you know, if you want to share a little bit, but we definitely have time. We, you know, again, we are so blessed and fortunate. Thank you for serving our country so proudly for all over these years. Share a little bit like any particular things that stand out or some of your favorite places that you traveled to and all your all your, your journey.

Eugene Jones 6:40
Well, I mean, I think the our favorite place that we live is San Diego, right? It’s just, it’s just beautiful. The San Diego Bay, the Southern California weather, there’s, there’s just nothing like being able to run outside at this time of year and shorts and a T shirt, right, and see that and see the water gleaming. So that was certainly a highlight. Overseas, I think, the tour in Bahrain, so being in the Arabian Gulf for two years, and seeing the operations there was, was certainly eye opening and just being exposed to the a different way of the what the way the world works. It’s, it makes you really appreciate, as you said, you know, being United States in and being able to support these fantastic, fantastic businesses and manufacturers, you know, they can go out start a business and and produce.

Curt Anderson 7:37
Yeah, absolutely. So, Gene, if you want to share it, let’s, let’s transition into your post naval career. What did you you know, as you were coming into the end your Navy career, what was on your radar? What was kind of like, boy, what’s, what’s next? What’s my next life look like? How did you transition? I know you have you had a stint at Caterpillar and other you know, great American company. Sure. A little bit what was that transition like for you coming out of the Navy?

Eugene Jones 8:03
Well, in my last posting was the commanding officer of the Naval ROTC at Purdue. So we made that’s, that’s what brought me to Purdue really enjoy Purdue University and the University environment and all everything that it has to offer. And so I was looking for as, as I was leaving the Navy, I was looking for, to extend that career of working in technology environments, program management and technology environments. And so that’s what led me to caterpillar. So I was an Application Engineer for 12 and 16, cylinder diesel engines for you know, marine locomotive, large trucks, whatever, we work with the design engineers to just pull it all together, which is, you know, in the, in the Navy as a nuclear training officer, right, you’re working with the different specialists, whether it’s electrical or electronic, mechanical, to make the whole system work together. So that was that was a natural extension going to caterpillar. And then I had an opportunity to come back to Purdue in a leadership role at in a visualization techniques center, and, and then back to what then to Purdue and up about four years ago.

Curt Anderson 9:23
Okay, and I, I don’t know if this is appropriate, maybe for the time that we’re in what was the acronym of the agency that you were with prior to your current role at the MEP? Oh, that

Eugene Jones 9:33
scene? Next scene, right. It has nothing to do with veterans. In fact, in fact, you know, if that if that organization still existed today, they would probably get too many queries going in the wrong direction. The VA there stood for Visual Analytics. Yeah, you know, and interoperability environments has nothing to do with Yeah, no vaccines.

Curt Anderson 9:56
Yeah. So it’s, so again, guys connect with G On LinkedIn, and I just I get a little chuckle when you look and you see vaccine for the, your previous role. And I’m like, well, they haven’t, you know, it’s like, like Corona, you know, you know, you know, the Corona beer, you know, like, Boy, what a bad timing to have that name for Yeah. Right. So yeah. So um, so Gene, let’s talk a little bit about cybersecurity and your role now. And so there’s a now is this an agency demap, the defense manufacturing Assistant Program? Is that Is that what you’re part of now?

Eugene Jones 10:28
Um, no, I mean, you made it cap it cap is it cap is the Indiana defense industrial base capability accelerator program. And that is that’s a grant program that we we went to the Department of Defense, the Office of local defense community cooperation, made a case to them that Indiana businesses could become stronger contributors in the defense industrial base if they were supported by some funding, which is a natural fit for Purdue MEP, right? Because that is the goal of the MEPs around the nation to make companies stronger. This grant program folk focus is more uniquely focused on the defense industrial base, and we call it we call it IV cat for sure.

Curt Anderson 11:17
Okay, I got it. Okay. A lot of acronyms there. So let’s, let’s take a deep dive on,

Eugene Jones 11:22
it wouldn’t be defensive that we’re accurate. Yeah,

Curt Anderson 11:24
exactly. That’s exactly, exactly. So let’s talk about you know, so you’re, I’m gonna try to connect like a little correlation. So life on a sub. So you know, leadership roles for your career in the Navy, you know, traveled all over the world lived in some wonderful new places with your family. And so then you transition into civilian life, you go to big corporate, and now at Purdue, what was just your little battle about that transition from a submarine life? You know, running a team? You know, you know, people’s lives depend on that teamwork, and so on and so forth. Talk about like, how did that experience lend into, like, your expertise here at Purdue MEP, if that? That makes sense? Yeah,

Eugene Jones 12:07
I mean, I think, you know, in my case, you know, I went from the first 20 years or so on individual submarines to transitioning to the big Navy enterprise. Okay, going to the Supreme Headquarters, Allied Command Europe, or working at the top level for the Chief of Naval personnel for enlisted policy for the Navy. So I was already I had already made the transition out of that. Okay, you know, that the bubble life, yeah, on the on the submarine into the enterprise life. And so that was a pretty natural transition to go to Purdue, you know, as a department head at Purdue while I was still in the Navy, and then go to caterpillar that but I think the connections still is it’s a high technology environment for Purdue MEP and the other MVPs are trying to introduce technologies that will solve problems at the at the, at the small business level. So I mean, that I think, is the natural connection.

Curt Anderson 13:14
Nice. Okay, so let’s take a deep dive now into Purdue MEP specifically, so So again, so for anybody out there, if you just chimed in with Gene Jones from the Purdue University MEP Manufacturing Extension Partnership, so Gene, all the MEPs, you know, for different states different, you know, they’re going to tailor it to like their local needs of their manufacturers. So we’re going to talk specifically on what’s going on in Indiana rate and the heartbeat, heartbeat of America 1000s and 1000s of manufacturers, you know, amazing manufacturing going on in Indiana, share a little bit of some of the benefits that have made if a manufacturer hasn’t worked with their MEP. Sure some of the amazing benefits and services that you guys provide on a regular basis.

Eugene Jones 13:58
Yeah, I’m happy to, you know, as I said a moment ago, small to medium businesses. They have a few number of people doing a number of tasks, and hard working really smart and dedicated people, but they don’t they don’t have deep expertise in a given area. And I think that’s where the MVP is around the nation really support their businesses. They bring that deep expertise, as I said, for the time period that is required, and at a price that they can afford. In order to make a transition step for the business. You know, for example, we have deep expertise in various certification paths, whether it’s ISO or a s. And, you know, in particular, we have a team that gets companies ready for their ISO or a certification with 100% pass rate with a registered agent their certification. And that’s over the course of, you know, what the four years that I’ve been here, at the very least. And so that’s the kind of thing and at the end of that process they had, they didn’t have a program in place previously, they have a program in place at the end of it. So there’s deep expertise there, there’s deep expertise in all of the lean disciplines, you know, eliminating that waste from, from the company highlighting it, recognizing it, and the different techniques used to eliminate it. deep expertise in Six Sigma, whether it’s green belt training, or black belt training. So it could be MEPs can either offer training or they can offer consulting. I mentioned specifically, you know, to specific quality programs, but there’s quality training, let’s say that a company, they already have an established program, but they want to learn how to audit their own program better, or they want to, they want an audit of their program before their registered agent comes in, because they could they can’t withstand the disruption of not having a good certification process. So that’s lean quality. We have a move this year, in the past year, we have a digital manufacturing technology center. And in that center, there is how virtual reality can be used within your manufacturing environment. In order to either train or next step in the manufacturing step by step assembly process. There is additive manufacturing, we have technology specialists for additive manufacturing, perform an assessment on how additive manufacturing could work for your business. Perform a return on investment, if you spent this much. When would it? When would it pay for itself, whether that’s additive manufacturing or collaborative robots. Right, there’s a session coming up at our digital manufacturing technology center here shortly, that talks specifically about the different end of arm tools that you could use on a collaborative robot for different in different environments. We have an expert in sustainability and energy efficiency. You know, there’s, you know, many small, many companies in manufacturing you they use a lot of compressed air, you don’t think about this much, but they use a lot of compressed air. And there can be a lot of wasted energy by those compressors cycling on and off just hundreds of dollars a month. Right? Programs associated with energy efficiency of lighting. So you there’s a well, why did manufacturing space leadership? You know, there’s past few years, there’s been a lot of turnover at the at the frontline level. And, and some of the other folks who have been assemblers perhaps in the past are now required to be the leaders in manufacturing. And they really make a big difference for not only the efficiency, but the morale of your organization. And so we have a really good leadership program and leadership trainer who spend some quality time getting those frontline leaders tuned attune to the things that they need to monitor and watch as a as a frontline leader. I could go on, you can keep keep

Damon Pistulka 18:35
it even, it’s a lot of good things that are helping manufacturers. It really is. And they need to understand that that you know, MEPs, like the Purdue MEP, are, are helping these companies every day be more competitive and improve so they can continue to be successful. And like you said, the resources are as needed and affordable. So it really does provide a win win for these companies that utilize the MEP services.

Eugene Jones 19:04
Yeah, absolutely. I didn’t even mention my specialty area. Right. So what cyber cyber defense? Yeah, you know, we’re connected to the other agencies in the state that are supporting defense. So we, you know, we push you to the right, the right stakeholder to support that in in the area specifically of cyber, not only, not only is it a compliance requirement within the defense industrial base to get the various checks in the box, but just I mean, you just read the news every day someone’s getting hacked, you know, ransomware and it’s enough to drive a small business out of business. You know, I won’t quote the numbers because, you know, the numbers are pretty dramatic, like, you know, two thirds of all small businesses within six months of, of a ransomware attack or or out of business. It’s a big number and wherever you look, whatever the number is, it’s it’s bigger than, than you would imagine. You So there’s a way to prevent that. And it doesn’t have to cost the farm. You know, there’s some foundational things that can be put in place. With out grants support, but we bring grant support. We’re fortunate at this point, and I don’t know what other states have. But we’re fortunate this point to have some state funding that will help with foundational cyber practice in it practices, in addition to the DoD funding, that will help at a at a higher level. So, you know, I’ve just encouraged any of the listeners, if they haven’t contacted their MEP and explored that area, to, you know, to really do that, ask about it. And just because there’s not funding to help them today, doesn’t mean that there’s won’t be funding to help in a few months. So it should be a continuous conversation, you know, that that MEP should be sort of on speed dial, I have the following problem. What does that what does my state MEP? What can they offer me, and I along with many of my colleagues, if we don’t have the right resource for you, then we help you find the right resources.

Curt Anderson 21:17
Now, this is fantastic. So again, if you’re just joining us, a Senior Services Manager for cybersecurity and defense at the Purdue MEP, our dear friend, Gene Jones, and genus is so critical. And you know, as we know, you know, God bless our manufacturers, they’re so busy, they’re struggling with, you know, their supply chain issues right now, labor shortage. So like I love the leadership training program that you discuss what a great way to help retain, and keep on, you know, previous employees attract new employees with these leadership programs, I believe back to cyber, you know, some of these manufacturers, small entrepreneurs, they feel like they’re in a silo, you know, their nose to the grindstone, just trying to get through the day. And it’s just great having a trusted, reliable resource, such as the Purdue MEP, you know, park that were the best, you know, top universities in the country, to help them and let them know, like, Hey, you’re not alone on this journey. I believe you have a cyber program training this Friday, don’t you mind on Friday at?

Eugene Jones 22:15
In fact, we do. It’s the session this Friday is focused on what is the correct compliance level for a company if they’re within the DOD space? And the answer to that decision? There’s two main things that why this is a really important topic. Number one is the difference between being level one and level two is about $100,000. In about a year of work, it’s a huge difference. Right? So you know, not knowing the right level is is a big deal. Yeah. And, and the second is that, you know, it’s all based upon the type of information that you receive, if you don’t receive controlled unclassified information from the Department of Defense, then you don’t need to be level two, you can be a level one, and just Institute those foundational practices. But I mean, I will say that neither one of those levels does that the risk of cyber attack get eliminated. Right, but it does get reduced. You know, you don’t want to be the slowest gazelle.

Damon Pistulka 23:28
Yeah, exactly. Yeah. It’s a good one. In cybersecurity, you don’t want to be the slowest gazelle.

Curt Anderson 23:35
That’s a that’s a perfect analogy. So So again, great topics here, you know, just kind of recap, you know, any services that you’re looking to provide is just worth the phone call. You know, so whether lien I sold different certifications, is Gene said expertise in cyber, and boy, if you know, for small manufacturers, all these other fires that they’re putting out, you know, not to say that they’re intentionally ignoring it, but boy, they can only just, you know, so many bullets are coming at them, they can only handle so much. But boy, just to be proactive. And just to go to a webinar, just go to a workshop, go to a training, pick up the call, pick up the phone, or jump in email to Gene and just say like, Hey, you know, what, what do I need to know? I know nothing about this. Where do I start? So, so again, it’s just such a great, wonderful resource for a shameless plug. I know you do a lot of online marketing services. We have a fun webinar workshop plan on Wednesday, the 16th. And I dropped your link for the training for the cybersecurity training in our late LinkedIn thread here. So guys, so wherever you’re coming from, check out Lee Jeans training on Friday. We have a great fun e Commerce program on Wednesday at the Purdue MEP. I know we have a nice lineup of folks that are in attendance. And so we’re looking forward to that. Gene, what other AI lets you know, what can I be Chima? Nephi. Let’s dig into your team. Okay. I’ve had the honor and blessing of meeting a number of folks on your team. I know your director David snow with Kyle Renee David, if you remember Renee Stewart was a guest of ours. What a breath of fresh air. What a gift that she is. I’m friends with Kyle, we have Julie, we have my goodness, Bill Logan. Callie, Julie just joined your team. Michelle, back, I got to give a shout out to Michelle, talk about, you know, just an enormous amount of talent and skill set. And folks are just so passionate about helping manufacturers at the Purdue MEP, just your art, I got to give a shout out to our friend art, of course. And forgive me if I’m leaving, whoever I’m leaving, I know, I’m leaving plenty, I’ll just share a little bit of the talent and what’s going on underneath the hood at the Purdue MVP.

Eugene Jones 25:38
Yeah, I mean, as I mean, as I mentioned earlier, you know, I started off with the qualities with the areas of lean and quality. I mean, our our, our Lean experts. I mean, this is something that it’s not something that they picked up last week, you know, this is this is not something that they got from, from it from a book that they decided to read during the pain. These are folks who have been in Lean for their entire careers, and they have deep expertise in not only just training and consulting, but actually running lean programs within a company. It on the quality side as well. I mean, our quality folks, our former quality directors for individual companies who have had responsibility and run their own their own programs. You mentioned Michelle Beck, our manufacturing extension partnership, like many others, we run a wide range of workshops, and events. Those are, you know, those are wonderfully led by, by Michelle. So all you have to do is you go to your MEP website, look for those workshops and events, and workshops, they provide even a more cost effective way to get training in a particular area, right, because you’re going to common location, joining with other folks to really bring the product the price of a day of training down to you know, in some cases $99 $199 Very, very cost effective. Um, let’s see, let me let me just I’m just trying to I’m trying to think of the other areas that I have not mentioned previously, in order to prevent it. You mentioned art, yeah, well, art. Art is taking his expertise in Lean and bringing it into now the food service quality area, right there. There are very specific certifications associated with food and food related industry, manufacturing, art, and another person, Scott. They’re trained in how to certify businesses in those areas, and really taking off that side of producing VPS capabilities.

Curt Anderson 27:59
Yeah, I know our food and beverage guy, and just an enormous amount of expertise and experience that he brings to the table. And it’s just in so for any like, see, if you’re a solopreneur out there, maybe COVID through your curveball and you’re not even the accidental entrepreneur, maybe you’re like, geez, I’m the I didn’t want to be an entrepreneur. But this is what you know, we’re life brought me or maybe you’ve invented, you’re an inventor or creative folks, Damon, we’ve run into plenty of folks through different MEPs around the country, that they’ve invented their own product, or you know, out of a passion, what have you. So even if you’re, you know, you’re thinking, Oh, geez, you know, I’m just starting out, I’m in my living room. You know, if you’re just starting out and you’re manufacturing a product, you know, you fit with the MEP, and they’re there to help you get off the runway. So even you know, for our manufacturers have been around for 200 years, or you’ve been around for two months. You know, the MEP has a service and an expert on the team to help you. If I didn’t mention, I have to give a shout out to our mutual friend Kyle Boyd. God bless him. He had his son Roger during COVID. And Kyle’s is such an inspiration, great manufacturing background that he brings to the Purdue MEP. So, you know, again, guys, I just you know, and Jean, what are you? You’re 40 Plus strong on your team? I believe that

Eugene Jones 29:12
yes. Yeah, we’re you know, we’re 4045 people. Yes,

Curt Anderson 29:15
yep. So very strong multitasking. And the great thing is even in you know, as a manufacturer is Gene said, like, see, I have fractional needs, I have small, you know, little project here are just things that I need to understand better, like cyber, lean, ISO, any of these other aspects, I’m new to manufacturing, they can help educate you get you in the right in the right direction. And you also work with all sorts of third party consultants. I have the honor and privilege, you know, as a third party consultants, your team and different MEPs that we work with. And so it’s great because you can bring in those other subject matter experts on whatever service that you know, whatever issue or fire that they’re trying to put out, correct.

Eugene Jones 29:53
Yeah, that is correct. So, you know, we focused on and you helped me highlight the expertise within this Team, which is which is deep in the areas that we have, you know, we can’t cover everything right. And so that’s why it’s really nice to have, you know, wonderful, wonderful professionals like you and Damon, who we can we, we’ve, we’ve built a relationship with other professionals over time, we know that they are within our trusted network, we know that they’re going to approach clients with using their best interest as one of the value propositions. And so it’s just, you know, it’s a pleasure to be able to, you know, lean on folks like you, Curt, and, and Damon. So appreciate the interaction, um, for the MEPs that are connected to the university, there’s another level of deep expertise that can be brought off the bench, for example, we have what’s called a technology assistance program that’s funded by the state. And so if an if a company has a very specific problem that they want a Purdue PhD to work on for 40 hours, then we may be able to establish a connection there. But you know, it’s has to be something really specific, for example, we have this metal bracket used in the following application, and it is having a pre end of life crack in a specific location. Well, you know, why, why are they having that crack? Well, how can the manufacturing process be modified to reduce the risk of it? So there’s another level of deep expertise that can be applied to a small to medium manufacturers problem?

Curt Anderson 31:40
Yeah. What a gift that is, you know, one of the top engineering schools in the country. And, you know, I know talk with Kyle and other folks in your team when we had Renee on, you know, high level manufacturing solutions gene, you know, we’ve talked automation, robotics, 3d printing, let you know, anything in electronics, you know, high level circuit board, situations, and so, so many exciting things going on, in a great state of Indiana. So Jean, I know you are super busy. I want to be mindful of your time as we wind down. So we’ll wrap up on this on this glorious, wonderful, amazing post Super Bowl Valentine’s Day. What would seriously not this late, you know, they ran a little late this year? Yeah. Well, then they usually like we could go look, and before usually, we can vote or so. But

Eugene Jones 32:24
they added games to the schedule. So

Damon Pistulka 32:27
yeah.

Curt Anderson 32:29
Something had to give and, you know, it’d be like St. Patrick’s Day, we’re at the Super Yeah. So GMO wine down on this. So parting thoughts, just share with everybody out there, you know, again, manufacturer on on, man, I’m stressed trying to get through this whole COVID thing, labor shortage supply chain, words of advice, how do you know you guys provide and deliver that peace of mind for manufacturers to help them get through these challenges? What is it? What’s some parting advice? And what’s a great way to connect with you? Obviously, we’re here on LinkedIn, great way to connect with you, anybody on the Purdue MEP team? And what advice do you have for that manufacturer out there to get through these challenges?

Eugene Jones 33:09
Well, I mean, I would say that, you know, there’s, there’s lots of different actions that can be taken. But I would say that if you know, if a small medium manufacturer confronts a problem, you just don’t know all of the resources that are available to help with solutions. And so I think, you know, on the list of things to do in this, we call it some solution erring on the list of solution nearing actions, calling your MEP to find out if they have any support or expertise or contacts in a specific area is is a pretty good first step. You know, as I, as I mentioned before, you know, not only do we have internal expertise, but we have, you know, great expertise, you know, like you and Damon or if they’re University related, they could go to a D PhD level of expertise, right. So call them and in many cases, we have funding to help support the effort. It’s never going to be 100%. But it’s better than nothing. Right? Yeah. So I would just say, you know, add us to the call list. You know, we recognize that, you know, you can’t fund us a full staff in every area you’re in, and so call on us to help you with that. Yeah, in particular, we have this great session coming up on the 16th with you and Damon associated with how to improve your digital presence.

Curt Anderson 34:41
That’s right. That’s right. Well, gee, thank you and white man, and it’s going to be an absolute blast. And so for anybody out there that wants to dig into our program, certainly reach out, I dropped the link in the chat box here on LinkedIn. Reach out to myself on LinkedIn, LinkedIn, LinkedIn, LinkedIn to any one of us. We would be honored to connect with you, of course. So Jean, we want to thank you first off, heartfelt thank you to you for your service to our country, man. I know like I do, you’re, you’re a hero, you really are. I mean, like you’ve you’ve dedicated your from a history of military. God bless your father for his service, you carry on that tradition and legacy in your family and have traveled worldwide to support our freedom here in the United States. We salute you, we thank you, your blessing. What an honor. It’s been for me getting to know you and working with you this past year and the team at the Purdue MEP. So thank you so much for all that so, guys, we’re gonna close out the program here, Jean, hang out with us for one second. We want to wish everybody an amazing Valentine’s Day. Tell your loved ones. Bye. It’s been a tough two years here. We’re kind of know our COVID anniversary. Tell your loved ones give them a bigger hug than normal. Tell them that you love them. If they’re at a distance reach out and say hi tech, some no reason not to give mom or whoever out there a little Hello for Valentine’s Day. So guys go out and have an amazing, incredible week. So again, we’re at the Purdue Purdue program on Wednesday. Jean has his program on Friday game and we have a great guest speaker on our program on Friday. So lots of things that help you hit your goals. Have a fantastic weekend, guys and God bless and we’ll see you soon. Thanks

Damon Pistulka 36:20
so much everyone.

Unknown Speaker 36:21
Thank you for Thank you

Curt Anderson 36:23
Jean. Appreciate you

Unknown Speaker 36:24
brother.