NE Chamber Announces Sharpe as Manufacturing Director

LINCOLN, Nebraska — August 20, 2026 — Erin Sharpe has been hired by the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry as its new Director of Manufacturing, NE Chamber President & CEO Joseph Young announced today. Sharpe has worked as Director of iHub at Northeast Community College and will bring an array of experience in Nebraska innovation and workforce development to the NE Chamber.

Sharpe has a career built on customer advocacy, operational excellence and business growth, primarily in the manufacturing sector. In her role as Director of Northeast’s iHub, she has led the development of the new Norfolk-area fabrication lab, workforce development lab and youth STEM center. The iHub is a creation and ideation environment giving users space to explore, experiment and create using cutting-edge tools and technologies. Since 2024 she helped secure funding for the $8.5 million facility along with $2 million in technical equipment for the 18,000-square-foot regional makerspace and training center. During her time at Northeast, the college has engaged 1,200 K-12 students through camps and after-school programs and delivered automation training programs serving local workers and workplaces. The iHub facility was the first in Nebraska to achieve Smart Automation Certification Alliance Gold Testing designation.
 
Sharpe’s previous roles have been in purchasing, analysis, international team leadership, vendor management and ecommerce at Kawasaki Motors, Spreetail, Wholestone Farms, and Petrelocation. She has a master’s in business administration and bachelor’s degree in communication and mass media from Northwest Missouri State University.

Sharpe will be primarily located in Norfolk and work throughout the state with Nebraska’s manufacturing sector. Her role will be convening and coordinating leaders from education, workforce and policy partners to create initiatives, build networks and increase NE Chamber manufacturing membership and the impact of manufacturing.  Her network will be with individuals and organizations such as the Nebraska Manufacturing Alliance, Nebraska Manufacturing Advisory Council, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership at the University of Nebraska, and Women in Manufacturing. She will begin her role in September.

“Erin has an established network and is a leading influence in Nebraska manufacturing, which will be greatly beneficial to manufacturers and industry partners,” said Young. “Her experience at iHub and leadership in northeast Nebraska are a great fit with the NE Chamber.”

The NE Chamber serves as the manufacturing association for Nebraska and is a member of the National Association of Manufacturers. Earlier in 2026, NeMAC and the NE Chamber Foundation announced a partnership with all six Nebraska community colleges and the Department of Labor in developing a statewide stackable manufacturing credential as a workforce development initiative.

Young said Sharpe’s experience working in the higher education and manufacturing training space is directly relevant in advancing workforce development in Nebraska manufacturing.

“Erin’s passion for connecting people, ideas, and opportunities has left a lasting mark on the Northeast iHub,” said Leah Barrett, president of Northeast. “We are incredibly grateful for her contributions and proud to see her take on this important statewide role. We congratulate Erin and look forward to continuing our work together in support of Nebraska manufacturers and the future workforce they depend on.”
 
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