Nathan Alfieri Finds His Future in Metalcasting at Erie Bronze and Aluminum Co.

Turning Classroom Learning Into a Career

We’re proud to share that Nathan Alfieri, a Penn State Behrend senior and longtime member of our team, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Non-Ferrous Founders’ Society (NFFS) Mary & Louis Iannettoni Memorial Scholarship.

Nathan Alfieri receiving the NFFS Iannettoni Memorial Scholarship at Erie Bronze & Aluminum

Nathan celebrates his scholarship with representatives at Erie Bronze & Aluminum

Jerry Smith, NFFS Scholarship Committee Chair, and Bill Padnos, NFFS Director of Workforce Development, visited our facility to present Nathan with the $2,500 award. NFFS also presented a $500 program support check to Paul Lynch on behalf of Penn State Behrend, recognizing the school’s role in preparing students like Nathan for careers in manufacturing.

“We’re proud to support you in your future efforts.” Jerry Smith, NFFS Scholarship Committee Chair

Three Years on the Foundry Floor

Nathan first connected with Erie Bronze & Aluminum at a manufacturing event on the Penn State Behrend campus. That introduction turned into a lasting relationship. Since his sophomore year, he has completed three internship and co-op rotations with us. Over that time, Nathan has worked across many parts of our operation, including:

Re-organizing our pattern storage
Running casting simulations using SOLIDCast
Gating and risering design through CREO Parametric
Green sand molding on both the DISA line and Cope and Drag molding line

Nathan discusses foundry equipment with Disa Molder, Michael Young

Nathan is studying Interdisciplinary Business with Engineering Studies, with a minor in Technical Sales, a combination that fits well with the technical and customer-facing sides of the metalcasting business.

Erie Bronze and Aluminum President, Cory Knight, recommended him for the scholarship. “His growth has been pretty remarkable to watch, and we’re excited he will be coming on board as a full-time Engineer following his graduation in December 2026.”

For his part, Nathan is ready for what’s next:

“I’m really excited and looking forward to working in the metalcasting industry after I graduate.” Nathan Alfieri

Investing in the Next Generation

Building the future workforce of the metalcasting industry is important to us. Alongside our internship and co-op program, Erie Bronze & Aluminum has supported hands-on boot camp training through METAL, a workforce development initiative that gives students and other participants practical metalcasting experience.

Nathan Alfieri working at a station on the Erie Bronze & Aluminum foundry floor

Congratulations, Nathan! We’re proud of everything you’ve accomplished and excited to see where your career in metalcasting takes you.

Know a Student Headed for Metalcasting?

Applications for the 2027 Iannettoni Memorial Scholarship are now open. Applicants need a recommendation from an NFFS member company, and the deadline is February 1, 2027. Visit nffs.org for details. Adapted from “From Internship to Industry: NFFS Scholarship Recognizes Metalcasting’s Next Generation” by Bill Padnos, originally published by the Non-Ferrous Founders’ Society on October 19, 2026.