Cory Bodnar

Cory Bodnar serves as Smart Manufacturing Education Manager at CESMII – The Smart Manufacturing Institute, where he leads education and workforce development initiatives that help manufacturers build the skills, capabilities, and practical understanding needed to adopt Smart Manufacturing at scale. Working across CESMII’s national network of manufacturers, educators, system integrators, and technology partners, he develops programs that turn complex technical concepts into applied learning experiences aligned to real operational needs.

Cory's Background

With more than 30 years of experience spanning industrial automation, IT/OT integration, enterprise software, and digital transformation, Cory brings deep industry knowledge and a practical, execution-focused perspective to manufacturing education. His work includes designing technical training, supporting instructors and implementation partners, and helping shape learning experiences that connect technologies such as IIoT, MES, industrial data integration, and edge-to-cloud architectures to measurable business outcomes.

Before joining CESMII, Cory held leadership roles at Wesco Distribution, Rockwell Automation, and Faith Technologies, where he worked at the intersection of industrial technology, customer enablement, and business transformation. Across these roles, he built a reputation for helping organizations connect technical strategy to practical implementation, with a consistent focus on driving adoption, improving performance, and creating lasting business value.

He is committed to making Smart Manufacturing more accessible, practical, and workforce-ready. Through his work at CESMII, Cory supports national education efforts that help instructors, students, and industry professionals build the confidence and capabilities needed to apply modern manufacturing practices in real-world environments.