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The Virginia Manufacturer - Focusing on Manufacturing Issues of Today and Tomorrow

Virginia Manufacturer's Association

In This Issue


Save the Date



Mark your calendars for the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild's Annual Beer Caucus! Speak with members of Virginia's General Assembly about the importance of the craft beer industry.

January 27th at 6:30pm at Capitol Ale House Downtown

The following day is VMA's Annual Day on the Hill. The best way to remind the General Assembly of the importance of manufacturing is to hear directly from manufacturers! We look forward to building on our great representation from last year.

January 28th at the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown
Day on the Hill Group

Registration for both events will open soon.  Stay tuned for more details!

Affinity Partner of the Month

Hassle-free service and lowest rental uniform rates in the industry

Please join the VMA in welcoming our newest affinity partner:
 
Offering VMA discounts to new and existing customers
 
Get started today by contacting Aramark National Account Service Center: 800-332-8676  *Don't forget to mention your VMA membership!

 

Other News
FORUM WRAP UP   
Thanks to all who attended the 2013 Virginia Industry Leadership Forum in Charlottesville. Speaker presentations and pictures from the event have been posted on our website.

VEDP EXPORT GUIDE   

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership has released a helpful guide for contractors hoping to export into foreign countries.
 

NAM TRADE SUBMISSION 
The National Association of Manufacturers recently submitted comments on the US Trade Representative's Annual National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers. It provides a great summary on trade barriers currently facing manufacturers.
 
VOLUME 6 | EDITION 4 | NOVEMBER 2013

New Leadership
ELECTION RECAP       
Virginia decided its next Governor and Lieutenant Governor on Tuesday, while the Attorney General's race appears to be headed for a recount. Congratulations to Governor-elect Terry McAuliffe and Lt. Governor-elect Dr. Ralph Northam. VMA is looking forward to working with the new administration to ensure the future of manufacturing is strong. McAuliffe and Northam will be inaugurated in January.


NEW OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS  

A new slate of officers and
three new Directors were elected to the Virginia Manufacturers Association (VMA) Board during the 91st annual meeting in Charlottesville. Brett Vassey remains President & CEO, while Rob Hogan of Newport News Shipbuilding was elected Chairman, succeeding Joe Internicola, of DuPont. Scott Tilley of STIHL, Inc. was elected Vice Chairman, Jamie Baisden of QMT Associates, Inc. will serve as Treasurer and Tanya Cook of Philip Morris USA will serve as Secretary.  

 

Larry Souverielle of General Dynamics, Dean Thompson of DuPont, and Chris Tonk of Owens-Illinois, Inc. were elected unanimously as At-Large Directors to join twenty-two others as members of the 2014 Board of Directors. 

   

    Chris Tonk            Dean Thompson    Larry Souverielle

 

New director Chris Tonk said of the appointment, "O-I has been a proud member of Virginia's manufacturing community since the late 1970s.  This is a great opportunity for us to help our fellow manufacturers in telling the 'Made in Virginia' story."
NEW STAFF
As we prepare for a new administration in Richmond, VMA is pleased to announce we're growing! Melissa Gillette joined VMA this year and serves as our Business Development Director. Melissa has over ten years experience in sales, most recently in the hospitality and travel industry. Melissa will be working to increase VMA's membership throughout the Commonwealth.

Cassidy Rasnick 
recently joined the VMA team as Director of Member Services. Cassidy comes to us after five years serving as State Scheduler and Trip Director for Senator Mark Warner. In addition to working with the government affairs team, Cassidy will be managing VMA's communications, committees, and events.  


Alice Scott has been promoted to Director of Operations and will continue to serve as State Director of Dream It. Do It. Virginia. Alice has gained an expertise on workforce issues during her long service to VMA, and we're lucky to have her able to devote her full energy to VMA's workforce initiatives. 


   
Melissa Gillette         Cassidy Rasnick

Member Spotlight
STIHL RECOGNIZED WITH AME AWARD   

The Association for Manufacturing Excellence awarded STIHL Inc. of Virginia Beach with a 2013 Manufacturing Excellence Award at their annual conference.  

 

The AME Manufacturing Excellence Award is given to North American manufacturing plants that have demonstrated excellence in their manufacturing and business operations. AME seeks to acknowledge manufacturers that have implemented continuous improvement, lean principles, creativity and innovation.

"I was honored to accept the award on behalf of all STIHL employees, who continuously demonstrate their dedication to our company's mission and values," said Christian Koestler, vice president of operations for STIHL Inc. "Fostering a culture of innovation and excellence is fundamental to American manufacturing success, and encouraging employees to embrace automation and rewarding them for their ideas establishes this culture from the ground up."    

Congratulations STIHL Inc.!
 
 
TANOM MOTORS GRAND OPENING 

VMA President and CEO Brett Vassey and Business Development Director Melissa Gillette attended the ribbon cutting for Tanom Motors new assembly line in Culpeper last week. The ceremony was also attended by Governor Bob McDonnell, Delegate Ed Scott and Senator Jill Vogel. Tanom hopes to employ 300 in Culpeper in the next few years.  

 
More coverage at the Richmond Times Dispatch