Today, whether at Forest City Gear or RRVTMA, Lyford speaks about workforce development with clarity—not as a slogan, but as a commitment. Manufacturing relies on systems, but systems only work if people do.

When asked to summarize Forest City Gear’s philosophy in a single sentence, he didn’t hesitate:

“Training and workforce development is non-negotiable—that’s something you have to do without consideration to risk or cost,” Lyford said. “Yes, someone may leave after you’ve invested in them. But if you take a holistic view, that investment still develops the capability of our industry as a whole. You’re building the future—whether they stay or not.”

Looking back, the common thread is clear—and it brings him to the phrase he first heard in a vocational classroom: Walk with purpose.

In an industry searching for talent, clarity, and direction, those three words may be more than personal wisdom. They may be the blueprint—for companies, careers, and the future of American manufacturing.