Dear Members:
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your 2022-2023 chairman of the Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA). I am honored to be a part of the MBA’s Board of Governors as we continue our proud history of serving the tri-state business community. At the MBA, your success is our success, and that is why we are always looking for new and better ways to assist your operations in navigating the challenges of a complex business world.
Our mission is simple: “The Manufacturer & Business Association is dedicated to providing information and services to its members that will assist them in the pursuit of their business and community interests.”
At the MBA, you can be confident that every decision is made with you, our members, in mind and of the added value our programs and services we’ll provide to your organizations — everything from comprehensive HR and legal support, exclusive HR services and products, professional development and computer training, competitive group insurance, expert logistics services, reduced energy costs, premium meeting space, timely legislative information, thought-provoking business news, and much more.
Always know that our Board and professional staff are looking for new and innovative ways to improve these products and services, as well as expand and enhance our many briefings and networking opportunities.
Great programs are always happening at our Conference Center in Erie, and we continue to add more regional events, especially in our Pittsburgh Office. We also continue to offer in-person and virtual options for our programs, giving our members greater flexibility when it comes to hearing from engaging speakers or staying current with the latest training courses.
One of the biggest changes at the MBA this year has been in our executive leadership. We’d like to acknowledge and thank John Krahe for his many years of service and contributions to the Association and in making this year’s Annual Event and Manufacturing Day (MFG Day) a smashing success. We are also extremely appreciative of the hard work and dedication shared by Interim President and CEO Lori Joint, who I know is determined to implement exciting strategic initiatives that will enhance your membership and positively position the Association for the future.
As every business owner knows, change is constant and necessary to stay competitive. No one knows that better than our 2022 Annual Event keynote speaker George Blankenship. As you will learn in this year’s Annual Report, Blankenship is a former business executive and has been a “behind the scenes” playmaker at such innovative companies as Apple and Tesla, and has some interesting thoughts on what makes the best organizations stand out from the competition — a message we’ll all want to hear!
In addition, I believe you’ll be equally excited to learn that we are bringing back artist Joe Everson to perform the National Anthem for the Annual Event. Everson is an incredible painter and his performance is one that you won’t soon forget.
Thank you again to all of our sponsors and supporters who make our MFG Day celebration and Annual Event the phenomenal programs they are. We are fortunate to have you as partners, and we look forward to another incredible event and an exciting year to follow!
Sincerely,
Jana Goodrich,
MBA Board Chairman
