Announcing the 2026 Manufacturing Champions

Announcing the

2026 Manufacturing Champions

Honoring Leaders Strengthening

Manufacturing in the Hudson Valley

We are proud to announce the 2026 Manufacturing Champions.

Each year, the Council of Industry and its Board of Directors recognize individuals and organizations whose leadership and commitment are advancing manufacturing in the Hudson Valley.

Our Manufacturing Champions build businesses, develop talent, create innovative programs, and strengthen partnerships that help the region’s manufacturing community grow and succeed.

Join us as we celebrate this year’s honorees at the 2026 Manufacturing Champions Awards Breakfast & Workforce Expo.

Meet the 2026 Manufacturing Champions

Cedric Glasper

President & CEO, Mechanical Rubber

Cedric Glasper is a manufacturing leader known for his commitment to both industry and workforce. Since 1995, he has helped revitalize struggling facilities and preserve jobs through four strategic acquisitions that prevented plant closures and restored opportunity for displaced workers.

Cedric serves on the boards of the Council of Industry, the Association for Rubber Products Manufacturers, and the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his leadership ensured operations continued and employees remained on the job.

Beyond his business leadership, Cedric is an active community advocate, serving organizations including the Orange County Workforce Investment Board and United Way.

Ben Katzenstein

President & Owner, Star Kay White

Star Kay White, Inc. is a fifth-generation manufacturer that has produced ice cream ingredients, frozen desserts, and specialty flavorings since 1890.

Ben Katzenstein grew up in the family business, working alongside his father and grandfather from a young age and learning every aspect of the company’s operations. When he joined the company full-time, he recognized significant opportunities for growth.

In 1984, Star Kay White employed 16 people and was transitioning from a 15,000-square-foot plant in the Bronx to a new 30,000-square-foot facility. Under Ben’s leadership, the company has expanded to four buildings across 15 acres totaling approximately 170,000 square feet and now employs more than 150 people, many of whom are local Hudson Valley residents.

Jonah Schenker, District Superintendent, Ulster BOCES

Dr. Jonah Schenker has served as District Superintendent of Ulster BOCES since March 2023 and been part of Ulster BOCES since 2010, serving in a range of instructional and leadership roles, including founding principal of the Hudson Valley Pathways Academy.

He recently led the expansion of the Career and Technical Center into its new location at iPark87, a project that serves as a state and national model for advanced manufacturing education. This initiative was bolstered by his ability to secure support from parents, school districts, and political leaders, and was recognized with a $1 million grant from the Gene Haas Foundation.

To address the local workforce shortage, Dr. Schenker has aligned the BOCES curriculum with industry needs by collaborating directly with business leaders. By implementing their feedback, he has expanded facilities and programs to prepare students for rewarding careers within the Hudson Valley.

His impact on the manufacturing sector is evidenced by the growth of student internships and the resulting economic benefits for the local workforce.

The Gene Haas Foundation

The Gene Haas Foundation was established in 1999, by Haas Automation, Inc. – which produces CNC vertical machining centers, horizontal machining centers, CNC lathes, and rotary products – CEO and Founder Gene Haas, to support the needs of the local community through grants.

The Gene Haas Foundation remains a manufacturing Champion of the Hudson Valley and beyond.

In its role the Gene Haas Foundation has been a driving force in supporting our high school, BOCES, community colleges and Universities throughout the Hudson Valley. To date, over $7 million have been distributed to our schools within the Hudson Valley.

The Gene Haas Foundation is instrumental in promoting the Haas Technical Education Community (HTEC) throughout the United States and Europe. The HTEC organization brings schools together to focus on technical education programs and best practices, and within the Hudson Valley many schools are HTEC members.

Read the full Champions Announcement here

Celebrate the people helping Hudson Valley manufacturing thrive.

Celebrate & Support the 2026 Manufacturing Champions at the May 7th Champions Awards Breakfast and Workforce Developers Expo

Join us in honoring these Champions through sponsorship and program recognition.

Program Ads & Sponsorship Information

Thank you to our current sponsors!

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