MACNY, The Manufacturers Association, is expanding its team with six new staff members who will broaden the organization’s expertise across human resources, workforce development, government relations, and public policy. According to the group, these additions will help further MACNY’s mission to support manufacturers, expand career pathways, foster strategic partnerships, and engage elected officials and community stakeholders throughout New York State and beyond.
• Bill Brower brings decades of leadership experience in higher education, philanthropy and community development to MACNY as director of public policy and community impact. In this role, he will work closely with manufacturers, elected officials, educators and community partners to shape public policy, build high-impact collaborations, and strengthen workforce pathways. He has helped raise hundreds of millions of dollars for Hamilton College, SUNY Geneseo and Le Moyne College, and has designed and scaled initiatives that connect historically underserved populations to career pathways, technology training, and education. With a strategic, relationship-driven approach, Brower will help expand MACNY’s influence, support manufacturers’ talent needs, and advance inclusive, long-term economic growth across New York state.
• Courtney Kless joins MACNY as a government relations specialist, acting as a key conduit between the organization, its members, and government officials at the local, state, and federal levels. She will help convey MACNY’s policy priorities, advance advocacy initiatives, and engage stakeholders on issues affecting manufacturers. With a background in editorial leadership and higher education, Courtney brings skills in strategic communications, content development, and relationship-building. She leverages this experience to support legislative initiatives, cultivate meaningful connections with elected officials and community partners, and ensure the voice of New York manufacturers is effectively represented across all levels of government.
• Adrianna Patzer joined as workforce development specialist, which supports the growth of MACNY’s registered apprenticeship programs in the Central New York region. She works with businesses, educators, and community partners to promote apprenticeship opportunities, provide technical guidance, and address workforce challenges in emerging and high-demand industries. She brings hands-on experience in employment services and job coaching, paired with a passionate focus on helping individuals pursue long-term, sustainable career paths.
• Meriel Stokoe supports MACNY’s direct entry pre-apprenticeship programs as a workforce development specialist, with a focus on building connections between education and industry. She works closely with employers, educators, and community organizations to expand apprenticeship-aligned career pathways and strengthen employer participation. Stokoe assists in efforts related to participant recruitment, program coordination, employer engagement, and program design. Her work centers on creating inclusive, hands-on learning experiences that prepare individuals for in-demand careers while helping manufacturers develop a skilled talent pipeline.
• Sarah Snyder also joined MACNY as a workforce development specialist, bringing a background in public health, safety and government operations to support MACNY’s direct entry pre-apprenticeship programming. She applies her experience in project management, stakeholder coordination, and reporting to support program implementation and participant enrollment. Snyder works with external partners to address workforce challenges and connect individuals to manufacturing career opportunities, helping ensure programs run effectively and meet both participant and employer needs.
• Colette Emmons joins the team as HR manager, bringing more than 15 years of human resources leadership experience across the manufacturing, healthcare and insurance sectors. In this role, she oversees both strategic and operational human resources functions, including recruiting and onboarding, employee development, performance management, compensation, benefits, and compliance. She is recognized for cultivating positive workplace cultures, enhancing employee engagement, and supporting organizational growth and long-term success.
