Administration

James Gardner

Executive Director

James Gardner, Ph.D., serves as Executive Director for the Association of Manufacturers Bay Area (AMBayArea), having successfully shepherded this new trade association to sustainability for productive collaboration within the Bay Area manufacturing sector and stake holders across the region. Gardner received his doctorate in biochemistry and has a passion for process and teamwork. His twenty years in basic research and biotech product development and manufacturing placed him in a wide variety of situations, from startup ventures to large companies to high visibility national laboratory projects.

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Shannon Banta

Communications & Events

Shannon Banta manages communications and events for the Association of Manufacturers Bay Area (AMBayArea). Banta received her bachelor’s degree in communication and public relations. She has more than 15 years of experience in public relations, including event management, print and online communications, media relations and community relations. 

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Amelia Lopez

Member Outreach

Amelia Lopez provides operations support for the Association of Manufacturers Bay Area (AMBayArea). She received her bachelor’s degree in public policy and master’s degree in public policy from Mills College. Lopez has more than six years of experience working in local government and non-profits doing project management, outreach and communications, and policy analysis. Through her role as the East Bay Works Regional Sector Partnership Program Coordinator, she works with a variety of industry partners, including manufacturing, to provide administrative support and build organizational capacity.

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