Lionel Vargas Cruz | Vice President of Advanced Manufacturing & Innovation, ISAIC

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Lionel Vargas Cruz joined the Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center (ISAIC) in 2022, bringing 15 years of apparel manufacturing experience to ISAIC, the only organization in the nation that iteratively tests, validates and trains people on advanced technologies under one roof, accelerating industry transformation. With proven skills in supply chain management, lean manufacturing, innovation, integration and change management, he plays a key role in shaping ISAIC’s transformative role in modeling and advancing an innovative, human-centric approach to quality domestic manufacturing. 

As Vice President of Advanced Manufacturing & Innovation, Vargas Cruz leads ISAIC’s initiatives to ensure that new technologies and skills are adoptable, scalable and ready to define new industry standards. Before joining ISAIC, Vargas Cruz held management positions in manufacturing, operations, account management and business development at Peckham, Inc. Earlier in his career, he worked for Short Bark Industries in supply chain management. In addition, he is fully bilingual in English and Spanish.

Vargas Cruz earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. During his time off, Vargas Cruz loves to play sports and relax with his wife and two young sons.