Celebrate Michigan Manufacturing Week with MMA

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Monday, April 18, 2011

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Industry Insider

By Chuck Hadden
President & CEO
Michigan Manufacturers Association
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Michigan is a manufacturing state. Unfortunately, not everyone recognizes what that really means and the significant contributions of the manufacturing sector are often overlooked. Michigan Manufacturing Week, held the second week of May, is a time set aside by gubernatorial proclamation to put manufacturing, as a vital part of the state’s economy, in the spotlight.

With May just around the corner, it is time for manufacturers to make plans to set aside Tuesday, May 10, to help celebrate the importance of manufacturing in Michigan by participating in the signature events of Michigan Manufacturing Week: The MMA CEO & Executive Forum and the Legislative & Executive Reception. These events put industry front and center — giving the largest sector of the state’s economy the respect that it deserves.

The MMA CEO & Executive Forum is the one place where manufacturing executives gather each year to learn from their peers — manufacturer to manufacturer. No other event provides the same kind of interaction, open discussion and honest sharing about what matters most, not only to manufacturers but specifically to Michigan manufacturers.

This year’s CEO Forum will feature a keynote address from Peter Perez, who is currently serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing. Perez directs the Department of Commerce’s efforts to enhance the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing and promote job growth in the U.S. manufacturing sector. Having someone in this vital role who not only understands what is important for manufacturers, but also recognizes the unique challenges faced by manufacturers in Michigan, is a great asset.

And having Perez come back to Michigan to have a face-to-face dialogue with Forum attendees provides a tremendous opportunity for industry executives to share their priorities, questions and concerns — which Perez can take back with him when he returns to Washington.

A Michigan native, Perez is well known by his manufacturing peers as the former president of Carter Products Co., a family-owned business in Grand Rapids. He has been a long-time champion of the manufacturing industry, and is now able to use his national clout to back up his dedication to moving the industry forward.

Following Perez’s keynote speech is one of the most highly anticipated features of the day: presentation of the John G. Thodis Michigan Manufacturer of the Year Awards. This award program highlights innovative manufacturing leaders in the state whose outstanding contributions have made a positive impact in their community and on their industry.

After the awards are presented, an afternoon of inspiring sessions led by industry experts will round out the program. Richard A. Walawender, principal and director of international and automotive practices for Miller Canfield will discuss what Michigan manufacturers need to know about the new era of emerging markets and how to compete with new business models and organizational structures. Kurt Rankin, economist with PNC Bank will address what manufacturers can expect nationally and locally in 2011-2012, including the pace of recovery, automotive outlook, jobs/unemployment, housing market, interest rates, inflation and economic risk factors.

All CEO & Executive Forum attendees will receive complimentary admission to the MMA Legislative & Executive Reception which will take place that evening, May 10, from 5-7:30 p.m. at the MMA headquarters in Lansing. This annual event provides manufacturing executives, Michigan lawmakers and government officials the opportunity to come together to celebrate the importance of manufacturing to the state’s economy — and the importance of pro-manufacturing policies to help Michigan manufacturers to compete with other states and other countries. The Legislator of the Year Award will be presented at this event, formally recognizing a lawmaker who has demonstrated exemplary support for the manufacturing industry.

The cost to attend the CEO Forum and the Legislative Reception is $125 for MMA members and $250 for non-members. Please note that seating at the MMA CEO & Executive Forum is limited to the first 100 manufacturing executives who register. Manufacturing executives can register online on the MMA website at www.mma-net.org or by contacting MMA’s LeAnn Hicks at 800-253-9039 (press 9 and extension 557) or 517-487-8557.

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Columnist Bios

Chuck Hadden
President and CEO
Michigan Manufacturers Association
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Charles “Chuck” Hadden was named president and chief executive officer of MMA on September 15, 2008. He brings to the job over 15 years of experience with the nearly 3,000 member association, having previously served as the public policy officer and lead lobbyist representing manufacturers before the legislature and state agencies on a broad range of issues, including taxation, product liability, employment and insurance. During his tenure, Chuck was instrumental in obtaining passage of significant legislation that will benefit the manufacturing sector for years to come, including restructuring of Michigan’s tax and energy policies.

Hadden joined MMA in 1993 as director of environmental affairs. Previously, he served as account supervisor for Publicom Association Management Services where he served, simultaneously, as executive director of one national, and three state associations.

Hadden is a graduate of Alma College and completed course work in Administrative and Organizational Behavior with Central Michigan University’s Master of Arts Program. He also earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation awarded by the American Society of Association Executives in 2004.

Hadden may be reached at 517-487-8550 or via email

Mike Johnston
Director of Regulatory Affairs
Michigan Manufacturers Association
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As director of regulatory affairs for MMA, Johnston is responsible for advocacy to state regulatory agencies and the legislature in the areas of air and water quality, solid and hazardous waste, wetlands, economic growth issues and electric industry restructuring. In addition to testifying on behalf of the manufacturing industry, Johnston leads several MMA member policy committees, including the MMA Air Quality, Water Quality and Environmental Quality Advisory Committees.

Amy Shaw
Director of Education & Employment Relations
Michigan Manufacurers Association
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Amy Shaw was appointed to the Michigan Manufacturers Association’s newly-created position of director of education and employment relations in 2001. She has more than 13 years of experience in program development and implementation, including eight years in her previous capacity as MMA’s director of education.