Eric Joseph Esoda
Eric Joseph Esoda currently serves as the President & CEO of NEPIRC – the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center – a not-for-profit economic development and technical services firm that specializes in providing small and mid-sized manufacturers with the support they need to thrive in today’s globally-competitive environment. When not serving Pennsylvania’s manufacturing community directly, Mr. Esoda promotes and advocates for a more accurate and contemporary public perception of advanced manufacturing and encourages the exploration of careers in manufacturing by speaking at venues ranging from local high schools to international conferences and everywhere in-between.
Mr. Esoda is a lifelong champion of manufacturing and has over 30 years of experience in working directly with domestic companies that make outstanding products. His portfolio of work experience includes time with the U.S. Small Business Administration, KPMG Peat Marwick and the consulting firm of Fust, Charles & Chambers, LLP before joining NEPIRC.
Mr. Esoda has several professional publications to his credit and has been a contributing researcher and author to a multitude of statewide and national reports and analyses on the manufacturing industry, workforce trends and the impact of various economic development policies and programs upon the business sector. As a regular presenter at national conferences – including those hosted by the American Small Manufacturer Coalition, U.S. Department of Commerce and International Economic Development Council – Eric has hosted workshops, breakout sessions and keynote presentations on topics such as manufacturing innovation, innovative approaches to addressing the shortage of qualified workers, how corporate culture impacts organization, how companies can mitigate their supply chain risks and simliar topics.
Eric’s strong dedication to the Pennsylvania manufacturing community led to his nomination as the nation’s U.S. Department of Commerce Manufacturing Champion of the Year in 2011 and his appointment to the Pennsylvania Manufacturing Advisory Committee under Governor Corbett and as Co-Chairman of the Pennsylvania Manufacturing Advisory Council under Governor Wolf. Under his leadership, the Council published Pennsylvania’s Manufacturing Competitiveness Playbook, which is currently being used to craft the Commonwealth’s overall economic development strategy relative to manufacturing.
Mr. Esoda holds a degree in Accounting from the University of Scranton and a Masters Degree in Accounting from Binghamton University. He also holds a Innovation Engineering Black Belt from the Eureka! Ranch and certification in Diversity & Inclusion from Cornell University. He is currently pursuing a Business Strategy certificate from Cornell University as well.
