From Teenage Father and Felon to MIT Graduate and Manufacturing Leader
Drew 'The MFG' Crowe didn't just overcome the odds—he rewrote them.
As a teen, he became a father. By 18, he was a two-time felon. Society wrote him off. But manufacturing gave him a second chance, and he turned that chance into a mission to transform an entire industry.
Today, Drew is recognized as the leader of The New American Manufacturing Renaissance—a movement bridging the 500,000+ unfilled manufacturing jobs with the 70 million Americans society has overlooked.
The Journey:
• Teenage father and two-time felon → MIT graduate
• Former Lead Professor of Advanced Manufacturing Technology at Ranken Technical College, St. Louis
• Aerospace & Aviation Man of the Year (twice)
• Featured in Forbes Magazine (April 2022) and USA Today (July 2025)
• White House and Pentagon speaker on industrial policy and workforce development
• Executive Board Member, JARC (Justice, Advocacy, Reentry Coalition)
• Advisory Board, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
The Mission:
Drew doesn't just talk about second chances—he is one. His work proves that justice-involved workers, urban and rural youth, and underserved communities aren't liabilities—they're America's most untapped manufacturing talent.
Through high-energy keynotes, hands-on workshops, and a groundbreaking digital curriculum, Drew has impacted 3,500+ lives and helped place 1,800+ individuals into manufacturing careers. His programs achieve an 85% success rate in career transitions, with companies reporting 40% lower turnover when hiring second-chance talent.
The Approach:
Drew combines street credibility with C-suite authority. He speaks the language of both the factory floor and the boardroom. His frameworks—from "Culture to CNC Shop Pipeline" to "TikTok to Toolbox"—are proven, practical, and profitable.
He's not here to lecture. He's here to revolutionize how America thinks about manufacturing talent.
Why Drew?
Because no one else has walked this path. No one else combines lived experience with industry expertise. No one else can inspire a room full of executives to rethink their hiring practices while simultaneously motivating urban youth to see manufacturing as their future.
Drew 'The MFG' Crowe is building the workforce America needs—one second chance at a time.
Ready to transform your manufacturing workforce?
Contact Drew at MGMT@the-mfg.com or 314.246.0033
