MMA Workforce Solutions Regional Meetings 2023

Date and Location

• Tuesday, September 26, 2023
• The Northern Center at Northern Michigan University
  1401 Presque Isle, Marquette
• Registration beings at 11:00 a.m.
  Register Online

Manufacturing Panelists

Chad Leiter

General Manager • Engineered Machined Products EMP, Concentric Group
Chad joined EMP in 2019 and has more than 20 years of experience in automotive manufacturing. He is proud of his a Servant Leadership style with a particular focus on process improvements and collaborative achievements through my team members. Chad has a degree in mechanical engineering from Ferris State University.

Corey Strege

Vice President & General Manager • Able Medical Devices
Corey has spent more than 25 years in medical device sales and marketing leadership roles, with a variety of companies both small and large. He started his career in medical devices working as a marketing intern for a start-up medical diagnostic company in Minneapolis and has worked in almost every known sales and marketing role in the medical device market, from Product Manager to Chief Commercial Officer.

Steve Mattson

CEO and Owner • Great Lakes Sound & Vibration (GLSV)
Steve has been in his current role for 10 years after serving for 15 years as the chief engineer for GLSV. With locations in Houghton and Calumet, GLSV designs and builds the hardware that silences the nations tanks, trucks and ships. The company employs approximately 60 people in the local area in the trades, engineering, and business roles.

Date and Location

• Thursday, October 12, 2023
• Courtyard by Marriott Bay City
  2 East Main St, Bay City
• Registration beings at 11:00 a.m.
  Register Online

Manufacturing Panelists

Brian Callihan

Greater North American Regional Technical Expertise and Support Director • Dow, Inc.
Brian has been with Dow for 23 years. Prior to his current assignment, Brian served in a number of roles throughout manufacturing and the Dow Services Business, moving between Dow’s facilities in the United States, United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Saudi Arabia. Brian also serves as the President of the Dow Engineering Company.

Patrick Curry

President • Fullerton Tool Company
Patrick is a leader in manufacturing who has significantly impacted sales, quality improvement and on-time delivery while dramatically improving the topline and bottom-line of each of the companies he’s been a part of. He is a third-generation Curry involved in the Curry Family of Companies, including Fullerton Tool Company, Endurance Carbide and Carbro USA. As President, he is responsible for creating and leading the company’s vision and implementing the necessary strategies to enable that vision across these companies. Patrick gives back to the manufacturing industry and local community through his service on a variety of boards and committees.

Thank you

Thank you to our attendees of the Workforce Solutions Regional Meeting in Traverse City.

Manufacturing Panelists

Lindsey Bielby

Human Resources Manager • Star Cutter Company
Lindsey has been a Human Resources Manager for 35 years and has been with Star Cutter Company for 27 years. Star Cutter’s HR Team strives to be the “custodian of the culture and build relationships” and they try to respond quickly to meet the employee needs, individually and/or collectively.

Shelley Hurrell

HR Manager • BorgWarner
Shelley started her career in the accounting department at Kysor plant in Cadillac, progressing from accounting to payroll processing, benefit administration and employee relations. BorgWarner acquired the facility in 1999 and, in 2003, she was promoted to Human Resources Manager. Her team covers all aspects of HR, including supporting many safety activities.

Michele Martel

Human Resource Manager • Holcim
Michele has had a robust career in the manufacturing sector. Specializing in Human Resource management, she has been instrumental in talent development efforts in both recruiting, retaining, finding workplace efficiencies and upskilling employees. Working with companies like Chrysler and now Holcim, she has established herself an innovative and reliable resource for workforce development.

Thank you

Thank you to our attendees of the Workforce Solutions Regional Meeting in Traverse City.

Manufacturing Panelists

Ashley Kemp-Watkins

Workforce, Training and Economic Development Analyst • Magna International Inc
Ashley focuses on helping Magna evaluate, identify and promote business development, with an emphasis on financial analysis, planning and detailed research and studies. She joined Magna in August 2014, working her way up from production assistance to compliance coordinator to her current position.

Suzanne Morrison

Director of Marketing • Hatch Stamping
Suzanne is responsible for translating business objectives and strategies to strengthen brand, facilitate growth and improve communications internally and externally. She designs, directs, implements and facilitates marketing strategies and execution of Hatch’s marketing plan as well as training and community involvement.

Meg Wallace

Senior Engineer • Toyota Research and Development
Meg focuses on workforce development, leading Toyota’s efforts
to start the first Chapter of FAME (Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education) in Michigan as well as K-12 STEM Initiatives. Prior to that, she worked in seat development at Toyota and has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech.

Thank you

Thank you to our attendees of the Workforce Solutions Regional Meeting in Grand Rapids.

Manufacturing Panelists

Dave Maurer

President and CFO • Humphrey Products
Dave is a passionate advocate for introducing young people to a wide variety of career opportunities and experiences, following his own experience turning a summer job into a lifelong pursuit. He serves on several boards in education and industry that help promote manufacturing careers.

Laura Preuss

Director of Workforce Development • DeWys Manufacturing
Laura was instrumental in creating DeWys University, which allows growth and development for new and existing DeWys Manufacturing team members. She believes in active engagement to help change perspectives, reduce silos and improve educational opportunities and is active in community-building partnerships with K-12, college and community organizations.

Radika Rajachar

Training Manager • NN Inc.
Radika has been a trainer, facilitator, and administrator of training for 20+ years with a passion for learning and development. As a leader, her goal is to connect, empower and educate employees to give them the confidence and the skills they need to be successful. She has developed curriculum and stimulated change and progress in companies she has worked for.