Ann Avary
Ann Avary is Director of the NW Center of Excellence for Marine Manufacturing & Technology for Washington State, hosted by Skagit Valley College. With more than 20 years of professional experience working directly with the maritime industry, standards organizations, state and national partners, Ann leads efforts to introduce industry-based technologies, frameworks, processes and best practices to the classroom and lab to grow and support a competitive and technically prepared maritime workforce. Ann led a 200 plus member statewide maritime stakeholder group representing industry, labor, education, workforce and economic development in the development of an industry facing statewide Maritime Sector Workforce Strategy, with elements of the strategy now being implemented. As an experienced maritime workforce professional and project manager, she serves on the following boards and commissions: Maritime Blue, Washington Maritime Federation and the Marine Trades Accreditation Program Commission; and is a member of the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association – each in support of a resilient, inclusive and competitive maritime industry.