At the Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) and Missouri Protoplex, the team is excited to introduce Angelina Billo, our Industry Engagement Officer. Angelina brings a wealth of experience and a passion for fostering partnerships that drive economic and workforce development.
Angelina’s journey into engineering and economic development is rooted in her diverse background. With a strong track record in economic, workforce, and education strategy and policy development, she has successfully implemented and overseen $15M in revolving loan fund (RLF) programs. Her expertise includes managing diverse incentive programs, such as tax abatements and tax increment financing (TIF), and she possesses a deep understanding of governing policies at the local, state, and federal levels.
Joining CAM and Missouri Protoplex was a natural fit for Angelina. “The new development on the campus, establishing partnerships, and building the Missouri Manufacturing Ecosystem (MME) were key factors that inspired me to join,” she explains. She is driven by the impact her work can have on the economy and workforce.
In her role as Industry Engagement Officer, Angelina serves as a liaison between Missouri S&T and corporations, including university consortia and the Protoplex, interested in research partnerships with the MME. She works with a wide range of constituents with the primary goal of providing business innovation resources to partnering companies and entrepreneurs on campus and in the community, promoting economic development in the region and state. Angelina identifies local, state, and federal financial incentives for companies that decide to co-locate in the MME and provides guidance to these companies in applying for these incentives. She also interfaces with relevant representatives from the City and State to make these financial incentives available.
Angelina thrives on teamwork and building partnerships. “I enjoy the opportunities for projects and funding, working with young people, and the variety of projects and initiatives,” she says. Angelina’s long-term career goals include making the Protoplex a great success story with a real influence on people’s lives, the economy, and communities.
Angelina’s previous experience and background led her to pursue a career in industry engagement. She believes that trust is the foundation of building and maintaining relationships with industry partners. “Trust is #1. Listen and be consistent, collaborative, and continual,” she emphasizes.
One successful collaboration with an industry partner that stands out to Angelina is with MAM. “We met Michael Eaton in October 2022 and talked about challenges and opportunities. Now, MAM is our partner on a few grants, connected us to community colleges and companies, and is promoting our events and trainings,” she explains.
Angelina is excited about the trends in industry engagement within the manufacturing industry. “There are more opportunities for collaboration and partnership. Through a shared manufacturing concept, companies will use our equipment, learn, and start investing in people and their businesses/production. Bringing manufacturing back to the States will increase demand for our grads and R&D opportunities. It’s good for our economy and our country,” she says.
Angelina Billo’s journey and contributions to CAM and Missouri Protoplex exemplify the innovative spirit and dedication that drive the team. Her work not only advances industry engagement but also inspires the next generation of professionals, ensuring a bright future for U.S. manufacturing.