About Us

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 David Schnepp is a believer in the power of human potential.  As founder and operator of two interconnected organizations (Inner-City Digital Factory and MakerSquad), David has been dedicated to enhancing of the US advanced manufacturing workforce, in particular as it relates to training low to mid skilled people for careers in additive manufacturing and 3D printing.  His partners include America Makes- a federally funded, advanced manufacturing workforce initiative started by the US Department of Defense. 

A strong proponent of project learning, David is creating a network of Afterschool Makerspaces for underserved students. Joining the MakerSquad network allows companies to identify potential talent while providing opportunities for their employees to speak and volunteer in ways that provide real impact.   David was also the co-founder and chief operating officer of 3D Veterans, Inc. , a start-up social enterprise focused on training and placing veterans in career-path jobs or their own new ventures.  Understanding the importance of matching veterans with the right opportunity, David worked closely with veterans and their families to find the strongest pathway to success.

Previously, David was the Director of New Ventures for 3D Systems Corporation, a leading 3D printer manufacturer and services company.  He led teams working in consumer, culinary and professional 3D printing and developing new partnerships with companies like the Culinary Institute, Nestle….(need four examples.)

His work with 3D Systems was the result of having sold his own start-up Digital Playspace-a social gaming company focused on giving female players, and often first-time technology users, the ability to design 3D spaces in a real-time online community. 

David’s early career focused on three areas of community impact: creation of asset development programs for low income populations (NEED EXAMPLE) ; assisting miniority-owned early stage companies find financial and strategic support (NEED EXAMPLE);  and implementing Impact Investing strategies to finance social enterprises (NEED EXAMPLE).  David received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and holds an MBA from Kellogg Graduate School of Management. 

 Alejandra (Alex) Garza has been a leader in Chicago’s Latino community, serving 20+ years on the Instituto del Progreso Board.  She has been featured in Latina Style, Hispanic Business Magazine, VOXXI New Media, Diversity Journal and NegociosNow.

Alex recently served on the Chicago Board of Education, and serves on the Metropolitan Planning Commission’s Sustainable Growth Committee, Sinai Health Systems Board, University of Chicago Booth School of Business’ Civic Scholar Committee and the University of Illinois at Chicago, Liberal Arts & Science, Board of Visitors. 

She has over 25 years of professional marketing and business development experience in the health care insurance, non-profit and public sectors, including over 10 years teaching in higher education.  She has strong strategic planning and general management business skills, as well as a proven record of managing teams with national responsibilities that deliver business results in challenging business environments.

Prior to joining Pivot Global, Alex launched AGG Consulting, Inc. where she provided strategic marketing and business development consulting services to health care insurance companies, non-profits and public sector entities.  Alex also previously led marketing teams at both Aetna and United Healthcare where she was responsible for marketing to public sector clients such as the federal government, states, municipalities, school districts and labor and trust organizations.

Alex received a B.A. in psychology from University of Illinois at Chicago, an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a certificate in Non-Profit Governance from Harvard’s Business School Executive Program.

WorkMerk is a privately-held education technology company that enables workforce solutions for employees, businesses, government agencies, allowing them to do more, sell more and risk less. Prior to joining WorkMerk, Steve concluded a 28-year career of military service as the senior military advisor at the Africa Center, National Defense University in Washington, DC. Where he was responsible for the strategic direction, implementation, and oversight of the US State Department’s Africa Military Education Program, supporting security cooperation and capacity building in African military education and training in over 20 countries and 40+ institutions across Africa. 

Prior to joining the Africa Center, Steven served as Executive Director of the White House Initiative, Joining Forces, where he worked to achieve the vision of First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden -- to mobilize communities to take action on behalf of U.S. veterans, wounded warriors and caregivers, surviving spouses and military families.   As a career Army Officer, he has led troops and served in the interagency. He served as commander of the 10th Special Troops Battalion, leading an organization of nearly 1,000 soldiers and civilians, during year-long combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.

As an Africa specialist, he has served at Africa Command, as a United Nations military observer in North Africa, studied at the Zimbabwe Defense Forces College, served as the senior defense representative in Djibouti, advising the US Ambassador while establishing the conditions for the only permanent US Military garrison on the continent. Steve earned an M.A. in African studies from Yale University and a B.S. from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. 

 Christopher Wentworth is the Additive Manufacturing Technology Lead for CMTC, which is a NIST-funded non-profit corporation which is the lead organization for delivering services to small and medium-sized manufacturers in California with support of partners throughout the state. Through its collaboration with these partners, CMTC enhances operational performance, new product development, market expansion and technology adoption for manufacturers in both urban and rural centers.

Christopher Higgins is a partner at Orrick, a leading US law firm, where he is the  co-leader of the 3D Printing Group at Orrick.  Chris has developed a global reputation as an authoritative source on legal issues in 3D printing, and has been a featured speaker at 3D printing events around the world. His 3D printing practice includes advising startups and established 3D printing companies on all aspects of intellectual property law, cybersecurity, and technology transactions. Chris helps 3D printing clients grow their businesses and capitalize on market opportunities and represents them in court to defend or enforce IP rights.