Since its creation 32 years ago, the Robert C. Byrd Institute (RCBI) at Marshall University has grown from a regionally focused support center to a one-of-a-kind state and national resource that delivers manufacturing and technical assistance, entrepreneurial support, workforce development, quality implementation, and STEM education across West Virginia and 31 other states.
This exponential growth has been fueled by the passion, dedication, leadership and vision of longtime Director & CEO Charlotte Weber.
The beginning
Upon assuming the leadership role in 1996, Weber embarked on an ambitious plan to expand RCBI to meet the growing demand of manufacturers and entrepreneurs, to build an agile organization capable of responding to changing and diverse needs.
Under her guidance, RCBI expanded operations to serve the entire state. It launched the country’s first Machinist Technology educational initiative to combine industry credentials with a career-enhancing college degree option. This effort soon was followed by the creation of a nationally recognized Welding Technology Program that, like its machining counterpart, continues to address the ongoing skills gap facing industry.
RCBI evolved into a national leader in the emerging additive manufacturing (better known as 3D printing) arena, installing the state’s largest 3D printer and in 2014 the only metal 3D printer to serve industrial and military needs. The Institute amassed more than $22 million in advanced technology for leased used by manufacturers and startups.
It rocketed beyond the stratosphere in 2005 when RCBI’s National Composites Center of Excellence played a pivotal role in constructing the West Virginia-made Super Lightweight Interchangeable Carrier designed and deployed on the NASA Space Shuttle mission to service the Hubble Telescope.
With the backing of the U.S. Department of Labor, RCBI designed and deployed in 2015 the country’s first nationwide advanced manufacturing apprenticeship program that today serves companies across West Virginia and 22 other states. During Weber’s tenure, RCBI has trained more than 26,500 individuals and assisted more than 6,000 companies.
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Cyclops Industries, Inc.
Mail: P.O. Box 8614 South Charleston, WV 25303
Office: 432 3rd Ave, South Charleston, WV, 25303, United States
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