PLYMOUTH, Mich. – Mike Coast, President of the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center for the past 21 years, has announced his retirement after 27 years with the organization. As president, Coast has been responsible for a statewide network of five offices, its innovation and growth strategies, and for building and managing relationships with Michigan’s industry clients and state and federal governmental stakeholders.
Among his noteworthy accomplishments, Coast co-founded and served as the first Chairman of the Board of the American Small Manufacturers Coalition (ASMC), which advocates for legislative and programmatic resources to allow small manufacturers to globally compete. Coast has built the relationship between The Center and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) into a true working partnership. Under Coast’s leadership, The Center has become a valuable resource for small to medium-sized manufacturers in Michigan. Throughout his tenure, The Center has grown and adapted services to lead the industry and be of the best benefit to its clients.
In 2017, Coast was honored with the prestigious MEPeople Award presented at the Foundation for Manufacturing Excellence’s 2017 national summit. He was the first to receive the award in 15 years for his dedication to manufacturing and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). His leadership and longstanding commitment have earned him respect, admiration and gratitude across the nationwide MEP network.
“I want to congratulate Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center President Emeritus Mike Coast on his retirement after an extensive 27-year career at the organization,” said Automation Alley Executive Director and CEO Tom Kelly, who also serves on the organization’s Board of Directors. “Mike’s passion for manufacturing left a palpable impression on everyone he met.”
Coast now will begin transitioning the President’s role to Ingrid Tighe. Previously, she served as Director of Economic Development for Oakland County where she led 200 staff members in four divisions focused on business development and international business attraction; community development and planning; and the county’s workforce development and veteran services.
“Moving forward, I would like to formally welcome incoming MMTC President Ingrid Tighe to continue this legacy of excellence,” Kelly said. “Automation Alley looks forward to working with MMTC in our continued partnership to keep Michigan’s manufacturing industry strong.”
“Oakland County was fortunate to have Ingrid Tighe as the Economic Development Director for the county during a time marked by both the challenges presented by the COVID pandemic and the opportunities to support our small businesses and manufacturers in the county, region and Michigan,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “She navigated both the tough times and promising prospects with tremendous grace and creativity. We will miss her in Oakland County but know that she will bring her vast experience and an innovative spirit to the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center.”
Prior to working at Oakland County, Tighe was the Executive Director of Birmingham (Mich.) Shopping District where she planned, organized, coordinated and directed programs and activities designed to promote and foster downtown Birmingham as a center for business, social, cultural and community activity. She also worked for the State of Michigan in economic development promoting business investment and job growth in Michigan working with the private sector, local economic developers, and government organizations, and in workforce development implementing programs, policy and statewide initiatives to improve veteran employment.
Tighe attended Vanderbilt University on a four-year ROTC scholarship and was commissioned as a U.S. Army Signal Corps officer upon graduation. She served from 1998-2005 with the 1st Infantry Division in Germany participating in NATO peacekeeping operations in Macedonia and Kosovo and later with the 1st Cavalry Division leading troops from 2004 to 2005 in the combat zone of Baghdad, Iraq. After honorably separating from the Army, Tighe used the post 9/11 G.I. Bill to obtain her Master of Public Administration from the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan.
“Here in Michigan, it’s no secret that manufacturing isn’t just what we do – it’s in our DNA. I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Ingrid to this new role at the helm of the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center as she builds on the tremendous work that her predecessor Mike Coast has accomplished over the years,” said Quentin L. Messer, Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “As we continue to grow our partnership with her team and Automation Alley through our signature Industry 4.0 initiative, we will further build upon our state’s rich manufacturing legacy and continue moving the world forward.”
