• Jim Bolte with Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama in Huntsville that manufactures engines for Toyota trucks and sport utility vehicles.
• Brian Buckner with Alabama Cullman Yutaka Technologies in Cullman that supplies torque converters and exhaust system parts for Honda Manufacturing of Alabama.
• Nancy Jan Davis with Jacobs Engineering in Huntsville that provides engineering, science, and technical Services at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.
• Ralph Malone with Triana Metal Fabrications in Madison that provides metal fabrication products for automotive-related factories and other industries.
• David Minor with Topre Corporation in Cullman that supplies auto/apparel trimming fibers and textiles and fabric industries.
• Jason Putman with Pro-Air Services in Decatur that provides installation, maintenance and repair of industrial climate control, ventilation, and process refrigeration equipment.
• Joe Sparks with Booz, Allen, Hamilton in Huntsville that provides consulting services in information technology, systems engineering, and program management.

"The faculty, staff and students at Calhoun are indeed excited about the robotics center and the potential for growth it has for the college, for the communities we serve and for the state of Alabama," said Dr. Beck. "We are most fortunate to have the commitment and active involvement of some of the area’s top leaders in the robotics industry as we develop this project.”

Groundbreaking for the first training center is set for Dec. 10 and is planned to be completed within 18 months and begin industry training. Two additional centers will be added in the 53-acre site across U.S. Highway 31 in front of Calhoun Community College in Decatur.

The first 50,000-square-foot facility will provide training for technicians to work on robotic machinery and will be home to several major robotics and automation brands. Each will have a significant space for training and product demonstration.

The second site will be used by NASA and the U.S. Army Missile Command for research, development and testing of robotics used for military projects and space exploration. The facility will support these activities with substantial outdoor areas for testing in a variety of environments.

The third complex will allow companies to build and adapt robots for new industries. Start up plants will be able to set up manufacturing lines to integrate software and equipment, test systems and train maintenance and production staff for our future.”