Manufacturing voice | Workforce | Relationships | Health plans
December 2018
Four steps to change manufacturing's misperceptions
What can you do to help change the misperceptions people may have about manufacturing?
 
Working in our booth exhibit at the Minnesota State High School Trapshooting Tournament, I was showing a student’s father some items we make, while also discussing the opportunities that exist around manufacturing careers. Out the corner of my eye, I noticed the student’s mother stick a finger down her throat as if she would gag at the thought of anyone working in manufacturing.
 
This gesture stunned me. Because I know firsthand about the great careers available in manufacturing. Her impression, however disappointing, may be common.... Read more
Workforce Community Conversation
Monday, December 3 • 10:00 am
Grand Arbor, Alexandria
Holiday social
Tuesday, December 4 • 5:00 pm
Knotty Pine, Elbow Lake
New entertainment this year!
General meeting
Tuesday, January 8
Location & Time TBD
2019 Meeting Dates
Jan 8, Feb 5, Mar 5, Apr 2, May 7, June on Tap, July Golf, August on Tap, Sept 10, Oct 10, Nov, 5, Dec. 3.
Board election results
TSMA Board of Director election results were determined when voting ended on 11/12/18. 
 
Six nominees were listed on the ballot. Per subsequent action taken by the board of directors, the board has expanded to include twelve seats; all six nominees have been elected to serve a two-year term beginning January 1, 2019. 
Incumbents:    
  • Liz Diedrich, Diedrich RPM, Burnsville
  • Nicole Klimek, Lowry Manufacturing Co, Lowry
  • Mark Petersen, ITW Heartland, Alexandria

Newly elected: 
  • Shawn Becker, Jim’s Electric, Alexandria
  • Amy Johnson, Northern Contours, Fergus Falls
  • Marilyne Morisette, Ichor Systems, Osakis
                       
Rounding out TSMA’s 12-member board in 2019:
  • Chuck Gaffaney, Massman Automation
  • Bob Grove, Cosmos Enterprises
  • Tony Hanson, Alexandria Tech College
  • Tom Mastellar, Blackhawk Industrial
  • Todd Peterson, 3M
  • Evan Westra, West Tool & Design.
 
On behalf of the membership of Tri-State Manufacturers’ Association, thank you to everyone listed above for your willingness to serve TSMA at the board level.
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2018 MMA directory
Free additional copies available from the office. Contact: [email protected]
Board updates
Web marketing minute
Once you create a login account, you will be setting up and updating your information thru the Member Information Center, or MIC, at TSMA.org. The MIC is an internal website for members ONLY. In the last three months the MIC has received 1873 page hits - so you want to take time to update or expand your information!

The MIC gives you the ability to manage a variety of activities, including:
  • View and edit your company information
  • Upload graphics to enhance your member listing
  • Download guest speaker presentations
  • Submit jobs, advertising, and events for approval
  • View statistical reports
  • Pay your bills
  • Post status updates, videos, links, photos in the Dashboard social feed
  • And much more.

Silver Connection Program
This program allows you to put your product or service in front of your target audience nearly 245,000 times throughout the year. You can market to fellow members in our three affiliates:
  • AFMA
  • CMMA
  • TSMA.
The package includes website banners that will appear on all three websites. There are five packages available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Contact us now.
New staff email addresses
Please add the following email addresses to your contacts, or white list.
Thank you to Scott Swanholm; partner at Eide Bailly, for his presentation on Tax Reform at the November TSMA meeting in Alexandria. Thank you to FORCE America for the tour. We had 38 attendees.
Manufacturing Career Dream Team Launch!
Last month we announced the Manufacturing Career Dream Team and requested that our members get involved by recommending candidates for the team from among their own employees. The response so far has been great and has surpassed our goal for the 2018/2019 school year. As of this writing, we ...  Read More
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Adopt-a-School
Seeking lower health plan estimates for 2019? Check us out!
One of your fellow TSMA members saved $10,000 in 2018!!!! Contact us for a referral today! It's free and painless!
Sandy Kashmark • 800-654-5773
800-654-5773 | [email protected]
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