A Note From the Technical Director Dr. Scott W. Beckwith SAMPE Journal Technical Editor swbeckwith@aol.com "Government Advancement of Materials and Manufacturing Initiative Programs: An Exciting Time for Technology" The year 2015 has seen a number of government-sponsored programs that were initiated that are now funding North American initiatives in advancing materials and manufacturing technologies. These programs are important in defining where the industry needs to head in the future and advising government entities where to focus needed funding. Achieving technology growth and placing emphasis on both the correct technologies while providing well-defined roadmaps to get there are all-important. SAMPE's goals are similar goals although more encompassing than one technology area or focus. For example, the North America Board of Directors has formed several committees and task forces to assess and define emerging technologies. The FIBERS Composites Manufacturing Consortium funded by NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) recently met in Southern California. SAMPE participated in assisting in defining technology roadmaps for future programs and projects. The Composites Manufacturing - Aerospace Focus Workshop held January 26-27 was a team industry event attended by 30 interested parties. Consortium FIBERS members and industry spent the two days developing special near-term projects aimed at advancing the industry's technology and workforce base using some simple "demonstration" tasks and manufactured structures or technology programs. The group presented four distinct projects that the FIBERS Consortium would consider after holding a couple more national workshops (about 4-5 have been held to date). At the same time SAMPE's Technical Excellence Committee chaired by Ted Lynch has been working to incorporate hot advanced materials and manufacturing technology topics into upcoming events. The Technical Excellence Committee has successfully incorporated several technologies into the SAMPE Long Beach 2016 conference. Expect to see much in the following technologies: Additive Manufacturing, Aerospace Quality with Automotive Efficiency, and, High Temperature Composites and Materials. The teams have been able to bring important outside groups that focus on areas of interest to the SAMPE technical community from the High Temple Workshop and the US Advanced Ceramics Association where much of the high temperature work is reported. SAMPE is also working to associate with other newly funded technology programs such as IACMI (Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation) since these technology areas are typical of where SAMPE has member and industry expertise. For our SAMPE Members and the industry, expect more on these important new leading edge technologies. SAMPE Journal, Volume 52, No. 2, March/April 2016 5