MAGNET names Daniel E. Berry president and chief executive officer

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Greater Cleveland Partnership executive replaces David M. Fouts

Cleveland, Ohio --- The Board of Directors of MAGNET, the Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network, today announced that Daniel E. Berry, the Greater Cleveland Partnership’s (GCP) executive vice president of strategy, membership and marketing has been named MAGNET president and chief executive officer. Berry replaces David M Fouts, who has served as MAGNET president and chief executive officer since July 2008. Fouts has left MAGNET to pursue other interests.

The announcement was made by MAGNET Chairman of the Board and President and Chief Executive Officer of Swagelok Company Arthur F. Anton. “The MAGNET Board is excited that Dan Berry has agreed to join MAGNET and provide the kind of strategic planning and dynamic leadership that he has demonstrated over his many years at the Greater Cleveland Partnership and The George Gund Foundation,” said Anton. “We know Dan will take full advantage of the tremendous opportunity he now has to assist manufacturers and the economy throughout our region as MAGNET president.”

Berry will continue in his duties part-time at the GCP, gradually transitioning to the top position at MAGNET by the end of this year. He will continue to be an employee of the GCP during his service to MAGNET.

At the GCP, Berry has been responsible for strategic planning, corporate communications, board management and relations, grant making and fund raising, as well as the organization’s involvement in international business, education, and workforce development. As senior vice president, strategic integration for the Greater Cleveland Growth Association, (the chamber of commerce of Greater Cleveland), he was part of the team that successfully managed merger negotiations among the Growth Association, Cleveland Tomorrow and the Greater Cleveland Roundtable, which led to the creation of the GCP in 2004.

“Dan has been instrumental in the development and evolution of the Greater Cleveland Partnership and its strategic initiatives,” said Joe Roman, the GCP’s president and CEO. “His leadership skills in this area will be invaluable to MAGNET as that organization continues to refine its mission and focus.”

Berry holds a doctorate in management from the Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University, where he was a Mandel Fellow. He earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Kent State University.

“I look forward to helping MAGNET shape its strategy to help manufacturing companies meet current challenges and identify opportunities for growth,” said Berry. “Even with all its challenges, as we have seen in recent economic reports and studies, the manufacturing sector will continue to be a key economic driver in this region and state.”

Berry presently serves on the boards of two nonprofit organizations focused on education and training—Vocational Guidance Services and the Cleveland Center for Arts and Technology. In the past, he served on numerous other public and private boards throughout the region, including the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland Foundation, the Center for Employment Training-Cleveland and the Workforce Investment Boards of both Cuyahoga County and the City of Cleveland prior to their merger.

About MAGNET
Since 1984, MAGNET, the Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network, has assisted thousands of manufacturers through its Edison Technology Center programs, Manufacturing Extension Partnership services and business incubation programs. Recently, MAGNET has expanded its mission to assist manufacturers through programs that address manufacturing-related education, competitiveness, innovation, global development and regulatory affairs. MAGNET is a “one-stop shop” for manufacturers seeking resources to become or remain globally competitive.

About the Greater Cleveland Partnership

As an association of business members, the Greater Cleveland Partnership mobilizes private-sector leadership, expertise and resources to create jobs and leverage investment to improve the economic vitality of the region.

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