The MBA recognizes the recent graduates of its training certificate series

The Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA) recently presented plaques to graduates of its certification series, including Excel, Word and Supervisory Skills. For more information about upcoming training courses, visit mbausa.org.

From left: David Wheeler, C & J Industries Inc.; Keith Kinter, Walker Filtration Inc.; and, Mariana MercadoSotolongo, Barber National Institute.

From left: Nikki Crissman, Essentra Components; Heather Snyder, JTM Foods LLC; Brian Silvis, JTM Foods LLC; and, Bonnie Jo Billen, Erie Insurance Group.

From left: Christine Start and Aisha Barnes, JTM Foods LLC.

Front row, from left: Sharon Krise, Advantage Sales & Supply Company; Courtney Sherry, ThorCo Logistics; and, Brandy Mason, Northern Tier Community Action Corporation. Back row, from left: Glen Carnahan, Morgan Advanced Materials & Technology, Inc.; Joshua Konrad, Advantage Sales & Supply Company; and, Danielle Mason, Northern Tier Community Action Corporation.

From left: Shannon Goodwin, Walker Filtration Inc.

Front row, from left: Julie Sacchetti, Scott Enterprises; Phil Gluvna, Parker Hannifin Corporation; Matt Muddiman, Parker LORD; Amy Oligeri, Walker Filtration; Tori Koziara, Parker Hannifin Corporation; Noelle Stephenson, ACL; and, Rebecca Logan, API Technologies Corporation. Back row, from left: Mutaqui Wright, Southern Tier Brewing; Brett Neimeic and David Curtis, Parker Hannifin Corporation; Samuel Ingro, Walker Filtration; Greg Pal, Patrick Hamilton and Phil Darnell, INEOS; and, Brad Galloway, Eriez Manufacturing.

Front row, from left: Tim Brown, D&E Machining; David Hamm, BFG Manufacturing; Kyle Staub, Franklin Bronze Precision Components; Robert Brown, BFG Manufacturing; Jeremy Briggs, Parker Hannifin – Quick Coupling Division; Steve Mineard, Urick Ductile Solutions; and, Ryan Galbraith, Greenleaf Corporation. Back row, from left: Olive Rothaug, Waldrich Coburg NA, Inc.; Michelle Blum, Franklin Bronze Precision Components; Ryan Wittcop, BFG Manufacturing; Diane McHenry, Greenleaf Corporation; Sarah Hart, Barber National Institute; Curtis Flint and Adam Farrell, Greenleaf Corporation; Katelyn Polumbo, Barber National Institute; and, Breanna Watts, Second Harvest Food Bank of NWPA.

What happened in the economy 2022, and what does the economic forecast look like for 2023? What are the real facts and figures behind global, national and local economic trends, and what do the leading economic indicators tell us about the future? Join us for lunch at the MBA’s annual Economic Outlook briefing on Thursday, December 8, as we hear from two of the region’s widely respected economists as they address these timely topics that could impact your organization and more.

Ken Louie, Ph.D. is the director of the Economic Research Institute of Erie (ERIE) and an associate professor of Economics at Penn State Behrend. He is regularly sought out by news media for his commentary on the regional economy, as well international trade and finance, labor economics and economic development. He received the Penn State Behrend Council of Fellows Award for Excellence in Teaching and was a Fulbright Lecturer in the People’s Republic of China in 1998.

Oluwaropo A. (Abbey) Omodunbi, Ph.D., is an assistant vice president and senior economist for The PNC Financial Services Group. He is responsible for contributing to PNC’s regional, national and international economic analysis and forecasts, including coverage of metropolitan area economies throughout PNC’s footprint. Omodunbi is frequently cited in international, national, and regional media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, CNN, CBS News and MarketWatch. He also regularly appears as a guest on NPR.

The ninth annual Manufacturing Day (MFG Day) celebration was held October 12 at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie. Nearly 2,000 students and guests from around the region attended the half-day event, which was hosted by the MBA, partners NWPA NTMA, Career Street and Harbor Creek School District, along with major sponsor AirBorn and main stage sponsor Northern Pennsylvania Regional College, and more than 25 other sponsor organizations. For photo coverage, visit mbausa.org.

The MFG Day celebration was made possible thanks to the support of dozens of sponsors and partner organizations.

Shown with Manufacturer & Business Association Chairman Jana Goodrich (third from left) of Seaway Manufacturing are the 2022 Locco Award winners: Chase Miller of the Crawford County Career & Technical Center; Brilie Ann Tasker of the Corry Area Career & Technical Center; Jairo Sandoval of Erie High School; Nate Leksell of the Mercer County Career Center; and, Tyler Chorney of the Erie County Technical School.

Shown here are Frank O’Connell of the Northern PA Regional College, Mike Monico of Airborn, Jennifer Nygard-Pontzer of Career Street and Tami Adams of the National Tooling & Machining Association.

The 2022 MFG Day celebration is one of the largest in the country with nearly 2,000 students and guests in attendance.

Trivia T-shirts were sponsored by Ridg-U-Rak, American Turned Products, Eriez, Ellwood National Forge, NTMA/NWPA, Airborn and Sybridge Technologies.

More than 50 exhibits were featured at the MFG Day event.

Students enjoyed a delicious lunch thanks to sponsors Curtze, Smith Provision, Penn State and Plastek.

Contest winners were presented some amazing prizes for the MBA Trivia Challenge (a new Apple iPad on behalf of Bob Frost of Wabtec), the MBA Kahoot! Challenge (Cinemark Tinseltown gift cards on behalf of Lisa DeFilippo of the MBA), and the JV MFG Exhibitor Prize (a Yeti gift basket on behalf of Amber Wharrey). Industrial Sales & Mfg. Inc. and Gannon University surprised students with a special drone delivery of custom keychains.

American business executive George Blankenship delivered the keynote address to a packed ballroom on how to transform companies for the future through innovation. The Manufacturer & Business Association hosted its 117th Annual Event on October 12 at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie featuring keynote speaker George Blankenship. The event was sponsored by major sponsor Ridg-U-Rak as well as UPMC Health Plan, Logistics Plus, PNC, Howard Industries, MacDonald Illig Attorneys, Greenleaf Corporation, Parker LORD Corporation, McInnes Rolled Rings, Insurance Management Company, Widget Financial and Bonnell’s Truck & RV Collision. For photo coverage, visit mbausa.org.

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Ridg-U-Rak, Inc., shown here with the Pellegrino family and guests, was the major sponsor of this year’s event.

Anthem Artist Joe Everson sang the National Anthem and drew the winning raffle ticket for this year’s painting, which was won by Welders Supply. Everson’s appearance was made possible by Bonnell’s Truck & RV Collision.

Annual Event sponsors were recognized on stage.

The 2022-2023 Board of Governors was introduced on stage.

Pastor Daryl Myer of Hope Junction in Union City delivered the invocation. The MBA paid tribute to John Krahe for his many years of service and contributions to the Association and for his lead oversight for this year’s Manufacturing Day (MFG Day) celebration and Annual Event.

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