Speakers
2025 Keynote Speaker:
Oren Cass
Executive Director, American Compass
Author, Thought Leader, Policy Strategist
As the 10th Annual Valley Made Manufacturing Summit celebrated a decade of industry growth and collaboration, we were proud to welcome a bold national voice in economic and workforce strategy—Oren Cass.
Oren Cass is the Executive Director of American Compass, a think tank he founded to promote a healthy, resilient economy that serves workers, families, and communities. A former advisor to Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign and a widely published author, Cass has earned national recognition for his insights on labor, education, and industrial policy.
His book, The Once and Future Worker, has shaped conversations on workforce development and economic renewal. His work is frequently cited by national media, and his policy ideas have influenced leaders across the political spectrum.
This year’s keynote and fireside chat brought together two visionary leaders – Oren Cass, founder and chief economist of American Compass, and Pete Weber, longtime community champion and founder of the Heartland Chapter of the New California Coalition.
Cass challenged traditional economic thinking, arguing that America’s prosperity depends on rebuilding its capacity to make things, not just innovate or consume them. He spoke on the need for strong industrial policy, domestic production, and workforce investment to restore middle-class opportunity. Weber guided the discussion with his hallmark insight and regional perspective, highlighting how collaboration and civic leadership can drive meaningful change.
Together, they left attendees energized, motivated, and ready to apply these lessons to strengthen the Central Valley’s workforce and industries.
Oren Cass is the founder and chief economist of American Compass and author of The Once and Future Worker: A Vision for the Renewal of Work in America(2018). He is a contributing opinion writer for the Financial Times and the New York Times.
Oren Cass is the founder and chief economist of American Compass, a think tank established in 2020 to restore an economic consensus emphasizing the importance of family, community, and industry to the nation’s liberty and prosperity. Recognized as a leading figure in shaping conservative economic thought, Cass has been described as “the key figure in pushing Republicans toward a conservative vision of worker power” by The New York Times, and as the GOP’s “center of gravity” by David Brooks on PBS NewsHour.
Prior to founding American Compass, Cass served as a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute from 2015 to 2019, where he focused on strengthening the labor market and addressing issues ranging from the social safety net and environmental regulation to trade and immigration. He also held the role of domestic policy director for Governor Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign, developing the campaign’s domestic policy strategy and proposals. Earlier in his career, Cass worked as a management consultant at Bain & Company in the firm’s Boston and New Delhi offices.
Cass is the author of The Once and Future Worker: A Vision for the Renewal of Work in America (2018), a book that has been praised as “the essential policy book for our time” by National Affairs editor Yuval Levin. His writings have appeared in publications including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, National Affairs, and National Review. He holds a B.A. in political economy from Williams College and a J.D. magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, where he served as vice president and treasurer of the Harvard Law Review.
Cass’s extensive experience and thought leadership make him a compelling keynote speaker for the 10th Annual Valley Made Manufacturing Summit, offering valuable insights into the future of manufacturing, workforce development, and economic policy in America.
KEYNOTE SUPPORTERS:
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