Zack Valdez, Ph.D.

Zack Valdez, Ph.D., is Senior Director of Smart Manufacturing and Industrial Policy at the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), where he works to advance adoption of electrical and digital technologies that improve manufacturing productivity, reliability, and energy performance. He connects manufacturers, policymakers, and technology partners to address practical barriers to deployment, including interoperability, workforce readiness, and cybersecurity. Previously, he served as Chief of Staff and Strategic Advisor in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains and held manufacturing policy roles at NIST and the U.S. Senate. He holds a Ph.D. in biogeochemistry from Baylor University and a bachelor’s degree in physics and engineering from St. Mary’s University.