Cleveland

Cleveland

2024 PMA Cleveland Suppliers Night

Women of Excellence in Metal Forming Recognition Ceremony

Monday, April 22, 2024
By: Randy Kish

For more information, please contact Randy Kish

 

In cooperation with MetalForming magazine’s Women of Excellence (WoE) in Metal Forming and Fabricating, and PMA staff, Cleveland District officers will be recognizing eight outstanding PMA advocates and their contributions to the association's success in the local community, and the industry at large. The ceremony takes place at 6:00 p.m.


 

2024 Honorees

 

Christie Carmigiano, Government & Communications Director, Precision Metalforming Association

 “When I first started at PMA, I saw very few women at industry meetings and events. Fast forward 28 years and that number has grown exponentially. Manufacturing offers outstanding career opportunities for women in all areas of the business. Through the years, I’ve been inspired by working with so many incredible women on the PMA staff and within the membership, and the invaluable contributions they have made, and continue to make, to this industry.”

Christie has been a member of the PMA staff since 1996. When she began her career at PMA, she assisted with the association's advocacy efforts and coordinated the activities of several PMA districts and committees. Now, as government relations and communications director, she works closely with PMA’s Washington, D.C., team to advocate for policies that ensure a strong U.S. manufacturing sector, and to promote the industry in the media and to the public. One of her favorite memories is when PMA members rallied on Capitol Hill in 2003, complete with a press on a flatbed trailer as a backdrop, urging the end of the steel tariffs.

 

 

Nancy Wagner, Quality Assurance Assistant at Rose-Mary Center

Celebrating 10 years and 10 months as the PMA Cleveland District Administrator.  

“Time sure does fly.  I’ve worked with several board members that have been with the district for as long as I have. As members retire, it’s hard saying goodbye but it’s exciting to see the next generation board volunteering their time and bringing fresh new ideas to the district.”

 

Recommended for the position by former PMA President Bill Gaskin, over the past 10 years, Nancy has worked alongside "…an awesome team of dedicated board members…”, including would-be national chairs, supporting Cleveland District members and sharing “… great moments and laughter, dinners and social events…”

Her impression on Bill Gaskin had everything to do with the fact that Bill was her previous boss. Nancy worked for PMA for three years, serving as a circulation assistant with MetalForming magazine.

Nancy currently works full time at Rose-Mary CLE, a nonprofit agency established in 1922, providing community-based residential services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Cuyahoga County.

 

 2022 Honoree 

 

Teresa LaMay, Program Manager, AJ Rose Manufacturing Co., Avon, OH

“As technology advances and customer requirements continue to increase and become more critical and challenging, I see manufacturing as a perfect fit and a rewarding career path for women. Manufacturing allows women to shine with our natural abilities to pay attention to details, multitask and problem-solve—especially in the current fast-paced and ever-changing automotive industry.”

 

Teresa started her career in 1996 and eventually became quality assurance (QA) manager, and joined AJ Rose in 2005 as a QA specialist. She was instrumental in the establishment and PPAP of new welding and machining lines as the components transitioned from her former employer to AJ Rose. During her time as a QA specialist, she maintained a customer base for quality issues, managed several continuous-improvement (CI) projects, including leading AJ Rose’s TS and ISO certification transitions to IATF.  In 2018, Teresa was promoted to program manager.  

Teresa’s attention to detail, quality and manufacturing knowledge have been invaluable in handling simultaneous product launches and CI projects. Her knowledge of quality and customer-specific requirements has allowed her to successfully complete many product launches. She continues to mentor and train associates, i.e., IMDS and Reach compliance. Teresa helps with SCM and VDA auditing, and helps others in understanding customer-specific portals.

 2020 Honorees

 

Lynnette Cowger, Manager of Marketing and Estimating, ArtiFlex Mfg., Wooster, OH

“Manufacturing provides an opportunity to work in many facets of business. I have been able to learn about many different areas of business and choose which direction in which I want my career to go.  Women bring a much-needed perspective to the world of manufacturing and, in the right environment, are valued, respected and appreciated for their work and effort.”

 

 Lynnette has been a leader in the industry for 24 years, having developed a diverse metalforming career in a unique automotive niche. 

Currently, Lynnette is manager of marketing and estimating for ArtiFlex Manufacturing, a supplier of niche automotive stampings, assemblies, die tooling and automation. Her background, experience and strategic vision are crucial to leading creative solutions in a changing automotive landscape. Most recently, Lynnette drove the implementation and development team for the company-wide roll out of the company’s Salesforce CRM system. Lynnette participates in the ArtiFlex employee-engagement team, driving employee-recognition events and community events such as the ArtiFlex Car show, which raised $4000 for the local Habitat for Humanity.

 

Megan Fellinger, President and Chief Executive Officer, Morrison Products, Inc., Cleveland, OH

“Manufacturing is the perfect spot for problem solvers. It’s a fast-paced, ever-changing environment where hard work and creativity constantly are required. Businesses with diversity throughout their workforce have proven to outperform in the industry over time. Women are underrepresented in manufacturing today, so the path for success for both you and your future employer is wide open!” 
 

As the third-generation owner of Morrison Products, Megan impresses colleagues with her ability to balance work, family and community. She learned the business inside and out, working in each department to gain a greater understanding of the departmental collaboration required to keep Morrison Products successful. Megan showed her business savvy in 2018 when, as CEO, she led an acquisition that more than doubled the size of the company, growing it from 500 to more than 1100 employees across two countries.

 

Marie Gieseler, Business Manager, Kent Corp., North Royalton, OH

 

“Don't think of manufacturing in terms of grease, noise or steel-toed shoes.  Manufacturing is America's heartbeat, and it greatly benefits from different viewpoints and talents, both in the manufacturing plant and at the conference-room table.  Manufacturing needs a woman’s unique perspective to problem solving―take a chance, be bold and learn something completely new!”
 

Marie started with Kent Corp. more than two decades ago and has worked her way up through a variety of positions within the company, earning promotions through hard work and dedication.

Among Marie’s recent accomplishments:

• Helped establish a new F1 portable end-welder manufacturing cell 
• Helped implement a new manufacturing-software module
• Streamlined the company’s inventory-management system
• Contributes to Kent Corp.’s supply-chain management activities. 
 

2019 Honorees 

 

Lisa Habe, President and Owner, Interlake Industries, Inc., Willoughby, OH

“Why not manufacturing? I personally enjoy the creative and problem-solving aspects of my job. There are so many directions you can go in manufacturing―HR, sales, engineering, operating, quality and more. If you are motivated, the opportunities can be endless."

 As president and owner of Interlake Industries, Lisa’s love for the metalforming industry is well illustrated by her involvement in industry groups. An active member of the Women in Manufacturing Association (WiM) since its inception in April 2008 as Women in Metalforming, Lisa served as a member of panel discussions where she shared her experiences in the industry and offered advice to women just beginning their careers. Later, when the group became WiM, she was a founding board member. 

A 21-year veteran of the industry, Lisa also has been a participant in PMA’s Naples Executive Networking Group and has served PMA as a member of the Board of Directors, the Training and Education Committee and the PMA Audit Committee. 

“Lisa is a strong supporter of PMA’s advocacy efforts,” writes her nominator, “participating in PMA Lobby Days on Capitol Hill and donating to the association’s political action committee and advocacy fund. Lisa also has spoken to the media on behalf of the industry, sponsored an all-girls robotics team for the RoboBot Competition, and has participated in tours of Interlake Industries to help promote manufacturing.”

 

Molly Lucas, Workforce Specialist, Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services

“Opportunities are endless for women in manufacturing. I would recommend a manufacturing career to any woman who wants to be challenged, work with a diverse group of people and provide another perspective that can make an impact or difference. Working in manufacturing, I am engaged, my efforts are recognized and I feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.”

 

Prior to her current position as Workforce Specialist for the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, Molly was human resources (HR) manager at A.J. Rose Manufacturing for 19 years, where she oversaw an HR staff five women and actively hired women throughout the organization.

In her role, she:
  • Led safety and self-funded workers comp programs, achieving recordable accident rates lower than industry averages and record low costs.
  • Promoted metalworking careers for younger people through the Lorain County (Ohio) Manufacturing Sector Partnership, of which she is a founding member, and promoted relationships with the local community college and high schools.
  • Developed and led company training and apprenticeship programs.
  • Negotiated long-term labor contracts in two plants while striving to maintain productive employee/management relations.

In her current position as Workforce Specialist with the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, Molly continues her strong relationships with manufacturers and business throughout Cuyahoga County, applying the experience gained with AJ rose to help businesses gain access to funding for training, apprenticeships and other programs such as Ohio TechCred. 

In addition, Molly gives back to the community through her work as a board member of Blessing House, a children's crisis-care center.