The McMinnville Economic
Development Partnership (MEDP) is pleased to announce the appointment of Lori Robertson,
Founder and President of Cutting Edge Metals, to its Board of Directors. Lori
has over 30 years of manufacturing experience and a passion for workforce
development and community engagement.
Cutting
Edge Metals, founded by
Lori in 2022, has quickly established itself as a leader in precision CNC
machining. The McMinnville-based company has achieved ITAR and AS9100/ISO9001
certifications, key industry benchmarks. In recognition of its growth and
innovation, Cutting Edge Metals was honored with the Startup of the Year Award
at the MEDP Annual Awards in 2023.
Lori’s professional journey began right out of high school. She pursued higher education while working full-time, earning business degrees from the University of Phoenix and George Fox University. Her career spans roles in plastic injection molding, gasket manufacturing, and precision optics, culminating in leadership positions in aerospace, defense, and medical markets. She served as President of Usher Precision Manufacturing before launching her own venture.
Lori is a dedicated advocate for
workforce development, actively participating in programs like Career Bound and
the McMinnville WORKS Internship Program. Her mentorship efforts focus on
introducing young people to opportunities in aerospace and manufacturing,
encouraging innovation and skill development.
Lori’s appointment fills the vacancy left by Deven Paolo,
President and CEO of Solid Form Fabrication. Deven served on the MEDP Board for three years and now leads the Construction Industry Education Foundation (CIEF) Chapter of Oregon, chartered in August 2024. The Chapter empowers students to pursue careers in the built environment through mentorship and workforce development programs. The Board expresses gratitude for Deven’s service and looks forward to supporting his statewide efforts.
John Dietz, MEDP Board Chair, shared, “We’re honored to welcome Lori to the Board. Her leadership, experience, and commitment to community make her a perfect fit as we continue to drive economic growth and workforce development. We also thank Deven Paolo for his invaluable contributions and wish him continued success with the CIEF Chapter of Oregon.”
