President / CEO
Robert Zaruta joined the Northwest Industrial Resource Center (NWIRC) as President/CEO in 2016, after serving for sixteen years with the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC). He is responsible for executive management functions including leadership; community relations and advocacy; risk management and compliance; and strategic, program, human resources, and financial planning. During his tenure, Bob developed, implemented, and managed a national program providing sales training and licensed sales methodology to Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) locations and their clients across the country. He also participated in numerous Industrial Resource Center (IRC) and MEP special initiatives, provided working sessions at National MEP Conferences and seminars, and has been an advocate for NEPIRC, the IRC network of Centers, and MEP in Harrisburg and Washington, DC. In addition to his IRC/MEP experience,
Bob has held leadership and management positions within Fortune 500, regional and small enterprises. As an entrepreneur, he founded and led a startup telecommunications company to dynamic growth. He has a B.S. Degree in Business Administration from King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Some of his relevant industry training and certifications include Lean Specialist, Innovation Engineering Management System, Solution Selling, and Project Management from Penn State.
Erie Office
8425 Peach Street
Erie, PA 16509
Phone: (814) 217-6061
rzaruta@nwirc.org
