Fellow PMPA Members,

“Better Together”

This seemed to be the overall theme expressed by PMPA members at the 91st Annual Meeting held at the beautiful Marriott Laguna Cliffs Resort and Spa in Dana Point, CA earlier this month. Tucked into the gentle slopes along the Pacific coast, this seaside retreat was the ideal location to both celebrate our rich manufacturing legacy, and embrace the exciting future of our collective organizations. Ideas were shared, friendships rekindled, and new memories made under the blue California sky.

As your newly-elected PMPA President, I want to introduce myself to those of you who I’ve not had the pleasure of meeting; I look forward to getting to know you in the coming year, perhaps at one of the national meetings. These are ideal forums to learn the latest developments in technical, managerial, and corporate trends. To borrow from my mentor and PMPA immediate Past-President, Steve Sorenson, “Emerging technologies are revolutionizing manufacturing. The challenge is keeping up.” The post-COVID world demands that we do just this. Thanks to Steve for his leadership, and for the opportunity to serve under him.

Going forward, 2025 promises to be another banner year for the PMPA. The Staff in Cleveland continues their mission of providing world-class resources and timely information to its members. Your Executive Director, Cate Smith, leads a team of experts who collectively bring unparalleled value to the PMPA member experience; your Executive Committee and Board of Directors are equally committed to this effort. Taken together, they are truly greater than the sum of their parts.

Many of you have asked “how can I get involved?” The best answer may be found in your local chapters. Most chapters host a variety of events throughout the year – both technical and social – providing an ideal setting for networking opportunities. Our Technical members, in particular, are eager to support chapter events where members can learn the latest in manufacturing trends in a frequently fun and relaxed setting. I encourage all members to consider taking advantage of the myriad opportunities at the chapter level.

I would like to thank the PMPA and its members for the privilege of serving as your President. You have my promise to help further the hard work already started by my predecessors by focusing on the continued health of this remarkable organization. Only through our combined efforts will we rise to this challenge. Truly we are Better Together!