PMA TN Innovations in Metalforming: Maintenance, Science, Trends & Engaging Women

Monica Apodaca
Senior Manager - Steel & Polymers, Trane Technologies

Monica Apodaca is the director for the southern region and past president of the Carolinas Chapter and has been an active member of AWMI since 2002. Monica began her career in the metals industry at ArcelorMittal in 2002 serving in several sales and marketing roles out of the Chicago office. She relocated to North Carolina in 2015 as an OEM account manager and in August 2016 accepted a position at Carrier as an associate director for steel. Her last position at Carrier was as the director of global steel and steel fab strategic sourcing until August 2023. Currently, she is the senior category manager for steel and polymers at Trane Technologies located in Davidson, NC. Monica graduated from the University of Chicago with a BA in Public Policy in 2000 and currently resides in Charlotte with her three French Bulldogs.

Coy Belt
Production Manager, Pennant, Inc. Tennessee

Coy began her career in the industry as a Press Operator in 2011. She then accepted a position as a Die Setter before becoming a Tool & Die Maker Apprentice, was selected as a recipient of the PMA scholarship, and graduated from the Machine Tool Technology program at TCAT. In 2017, she joined Pennant as a Tool & Die Maker where she played a vital role in the startup of the Lebanon, TN plant which has led many other opportunities such as Production Manager, Operations Manager, and now Materials Manager. In her current role she oversees procurement, shipping & receiving, inventory, and production scheduling.

Ashlianna Chessor
Employee Relations Manager, Tenaris Hickman

Ashlianna Chessor serves as the Employee Relations Manager at Tenaris Hickman. She leads all Human Resources activities for the facility, which includes training and development, onboarding, employee relations and company assimilation. Ashlianna holds a National Diversity Council Certified Diversity Practitioner (NDCCDP) certification and a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification. She is proud to serve as the Vice-President of the Association of Women in the Metals Industries – Tennessee Chapter. After graduating with her B.B.A. from Mississippi State University and M.B.A. from Union University, Ashlianna began her career in the wholesale agriculture industry. She has also held Human Resources roles in the automotive manufacturing, food and pharmaceutical warehousing and healthcare industries. Ashlianna currently resides in Blytheville, Arkansas with her goldendoodle, Goose.

Jeff Fredline
Industry Consultant, Prestrade

Jeff Fredline is an active member of the Precision Metalforming Association, Jeff has written and presented many times for PMA and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. For the past 35 years he has trained on a private basis for many industry leaders such as General Motors, Chrysler, Whirlpool, General Electric, BAE Systems and numerous smaller companies. Jeff has a Bachelor of Business degree and has earned journeyman status in the machine repair industry.

Art Hedrick
Owner, Dieology LLC

Art Hedrick is the owner of the training and consulting firm Dieology LLC. He is a journeyman tool and die maker and stamping process engineer with more than 43 years of metalworking/die building and processing experience. For the last 22 years, Art authored the “Die Science” column published in the Stamping Journal. He now is the author of “The Science of Forming” column published in MetalForming magazine. He also has written numerous technical articles on stamping die design and build for a number of trade publications.

Art has conducted training and consulting for hundreds of sheet metal stamping plants and die builders worldwide. His more than 200 clients serve numerous industries including the automotive, appliance, military, hardware, ATV, recreational, space exploration, aircraft and medical fields. Art also has received numerous training awards and held chair positions of stamping councils for industry trade associations.

Bill Hickey
Chairman, Lapham-Hickey Steel Corp

Bill Hickey is chairman of Lapham-Hickey Steel Corp., a steel service center founded in 1926. This family-owned and operated company has 11 locations with approximately 850 employees. Lapham-Hickey is currently ranked as one of the top 50 service centers in the United States. Bill has held several positions within Lapham-Hickey since his employment at the company began in 1975. He has been in his current position since 2018. Bill also has held chapter and national leadership positions in MSCI and currently is a member of the Chairman’s Emeritus Council. Bill was appointed to a position to ITAC-7. ITAC-7 is an advisory committee to the Department of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative. He held the position of Chairman of the Committee for 4 years. He remains an active member. Bill is a former Trustee for the PMA Educational Foundation.

Bill remains active in the Illinois Manufacturer’s Association. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors and served a 2-year term as Chairman (2016-2017). He has held other officer positions on the board of directors. In June of 2020 Bill was presented with a Lifetime Achievement award – the institute’s highest honor. Bill was then inducted into the MSCI’s Hall of Fame for being such an icon within the metals distribution industry along with his significant leadership and service within the greater business and civic communities. The Association of Steel Distributors named Bill as its 2019 Steel Executive of the Year. In 2014, Bill was the recipient of the Richard L. Duchossuis Alumni Award for Integrity and Values from Morgan Park Academy. Metal Center News named Bill as the 2012 Service Center Executive of the Year.

Molly Hopper
Global EHS&S Compliance Assurance Leader, GE Appliances

Molly Hopper is the statewide chair for the WiM Tennessee chapter and past graduate of the Leadership Lab for Women; she has been an active member of WiM since 2016. She began her career in manufacturing at Monogram Refrigeration LLC. in 2003, serving as an industrial engineer for seven years. In 2009, she became the Environmental Health & Safety Leader for the site.  Then, in 2017, Molly transferred to a role on the corporate Environmental Health & Safety team, based out of Louisville, KY as the Chemical Management Leader.  Since then, she has moved to her current role as the Global EHS Compliance Assurance & Digital Technology Leader, supporting sites in North America and Asia. Molly graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin with a BS in Industrial Engineering in 2001 and currently resides in Henderson, TN with her husband of 23 years, three kids, and three dogs.

Melissa Mudd
Sales Representative, Mid-Park, Inc, Morgantown

Melissa Mudd is a stamping sales professional at Mid Park, Inc., responsible for sales across North America. With 8 years in the manufacturing industry, and 3 years in her current sales role, Melissa brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the panel. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Campbellsville University, earned a Master of Science degree in Management with honors from Sullivan University, and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Operations Management from Strayer University.

Certified as a Six Sigma Green Belt in Lean Manufacturing, Melissa is also deeply involved in her community, serving on the Leitchfield Planning and Zoning Commission. Her past achievements include serving as an ISO and Document Control Coordinator, securing a $75,000 grant for a welding simulator, and leading the development of ISO-9001 programs. At Mid Park, Melissa has implemented strategic sales and marketing initiatives that have boosted sales with existing clients while successfully expanding the customer base. She has recently been recognized as a 2024 Woman of Excellence in Metal Forming and Fabricating by MetalForming magazine. 

In addition to her professional work, Melissa is active in PMA, the local Chamber of Commerce, and her church. She resides in Leitchfield, KY, with her daughter Addison and her three beloved rescue dogs.