Leadership

Ohio Manufacturers Salute Lisa Schaaf

Longtime OMA staff member Lisa Schaaf recently announced her retirement after nearly three decades at the association. Her last day at the OMA is today, Friday, Sept. 29.

Lisa joined the OMA in 1994 as chief operating officer. Over the years, she has played an instrumental role in establishing and maintaining many of the OMA’s flagship programs, products, and key member services.

Her extensive list of accomplishments includes enhancing the association’s management structure and strategy; elevating the OMA’s workers’ compensation services; establishing the association’s webinar services; overseeing the OMA’s early internet presence; and managing key publications, including Ohio Manufacturing Counts and the Ohio Election Guide.

OMA President Ryan Augsburger said: “Lisa has been an invaluable team member at the OMA and instrumental in building the effective organization we have today. Her contributions will leave a lasting legacy, benefitting members and staff alike.”

Congratulations to Lisa for 29 amazing years of helping protect and grow Ohio’s top industry. Best wishes on a well-deserved retirement! 9/29/2023

Education Leaders Address OMA Board

On Sept. 19, the OMA Board of Directors held its Q3 meeting in Columbus. Directors were briefed on OMA operations, including the association’s advocacy services and workforce services.

Guest presenters were Jessica Voltolini, chief of staff at the Ohio Department of Education, and Brian Bontempo, superintendent of the Auburn Career Center, which serves school districts in Lake and Geauga counties.

Both presenters discussed opportunities to grow Ohio’s skilled workforce, especially once the revamped Department of Education and Workforce — authorized by the new state budget — begins to place more emphasis on the state’s 91 career technical planning districts. 9/19/2023

Block, Phillips Elected to OMA Board

During this week’s OMA Board of Directors meeting, two new board directors were elected to represent and serve OMA members. They are:

• Jacob Block, CEO of American Nitrile, Grove City; and
• Angela Phillips, CEO of Phillips Tube Group, Shelby and Middletown.

The OMA board is currently comprised of 29 manufacturing leaders from companies of all sizes and sub-sectors of the industry, representing all areas of the Buckeye State. 9/19/2023

A Tribute to Dan French

Dan French, retired chairman and CEO of Piqua-based French Oil Mill Machinery Co., is the first recipient of the OMA’s newly established Dan French Legacy Award. On Sept. 19, the OMA board voted to create the award to recognize individuals who have demonstrated exemplary service and leadership on behalf of Ohio’s manufacturing community.

Dan recently announced he was relinquishing his OMA responsibilities after 19 years of serving on the board. For the past dozen years, he chaired the OMA Nominating and Governance Committee.

Under Dan’s leadership, the OMA board implemented initiatives to increase diversity and enhance professional standards. His passion for recruiting the highest caliber volunteer leaders to the board allowed him to execute this role with wit and wisdom.

Dan has also prioritized growing the OMA membership. He even hosted an event in Miami County to surface new membership prospects.

On behalf of Ohio’s manufacturing community, job well done, Dan — and thank you! Members who wish to thank Dan for his longtime service to Ohio manufacturing may do so via this email address. 9/19/2023

OMA to UAW: Prioritize Competitiveness of Auto Sector

Following the announcement of the United Auto Workers’ strike at multiple facilities of the Big Three automakers — including a plant in Toledo — the OMA called on union leaders to prioritize the competitiveness of America’s auto sector.

Over the last four years, the price of new a car has risen 30% to around $48,000. This as China is set to become the world’s biggest car exporter, according to reports.

Read the OMA’s press release. Multiple outlets quoted OMA President Ryan Augsburger, including Fox 8 News (Cleveland), Crain’s Cleveland Business, The Center Square, and The Business Journal (Youngstown).

Meanwhile, the strike’s “ripple effect” has begun as layoffs have been announced in recent days. 9/21/2023

Forced Union Hiring Bill Gets First Senate Hearing

House Bill 205 — legislation that would force certain manufacturers to hire unionized labor — received its first hearing in the Ohio Senate this week. Members of the Senate Energy and Public Utilities were critical in their questioning of the bill’s sponsors, highlighting concerns that HB 205 could impact the broader manufacturing community.

The Ohio House passed the bill last June with votes from the chamber’s Democrats and certain GOP members. The OMA is one of the leading opponents of HB 205, which would worsen labor shortages and authorize a $10,000-a-day penalty on employers for non-compliance. 9/20/2023

Publication: Ohio a Top State for Doing Business

Ohio is a top-five state for doing business, according to Area Development magazine. The publication’s “Top States for Doing Business” study is based on feedback from an expert panel of location consultants.

The comparison shows that Ohio is a leader in water availability, business costs, incentives, regulatory environment, infrastructure, available real estate, responsive state and local government, workforce training, site-readiness programs, and speed of project permitting. 9/14/2023

Manufacturer Optimism Declines to 2020 Levels

U.S. manufacturers are the least optimistic they’ve been about the economy and their businesses since 2020, according to a new survey conducted by the National Association of Manufacturers.

Only about 65% of manufacturers said they feel positive about their company’s future. NAM points to the growing regulatory burden as a key factor for the uncertainty. See the full survey results. 9/14/2023

At a Glance: AI’s Potential to Boost Productivity

In its latest issue of “The Real Economy,” OMA Connections Partner RSM looks at the three pillars of AI and its impact on productivity.

Meanwhile, this infographic by Visual Capitalist compares humans to AI in the performance of key skills. AI has already matched or surpassed human performance in some categories. 9/11/2023

Lt. Gov. Husted Visits the OMA

On Sept. 6, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted addressed members during the OMA Government Affairs Committee’s Q3 meeting, sponsored by OMA Connections Partner PhRMA.

Husted’s comments were largely focused on the administration’s efforts to boost workforce development. He noted the recent announcements regarding funding opportunities for industry sector partnerships and educational institutions that prepare Ohioans for manufacturing careers.

The meeting also included updates on:

• Issue 2, the OMA-opposed ballot initiative to legalize recreational use of marijuana;
• Efforts to enhance Ohio’s electricity market, as proposed by the OMA-supported Senate Bill 143; and
• Changes made to the Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) under the current state budget (see related story in this Leadership Briefing).

The Government Affairs Committee will meet again Nov. 29. Register here. 9/6/2023