10/09/2026
From morning to night, Wednesday was filled with excitement, inspiration, and a shared vision for our region’s future.
We kicked off the day celebrating National Manufacturing Day (MFG Day), where our Organizational Development team had the incredible opportunity to connect with over 2,000 local students! It was inspiring to see such high student engagement and to show the next generation that world-class opportunities await them right out of high school.
The momentum carried straight into the evening at the Manufacturer & Business Association's 121st Annual Event. Our team had the honor of hearing from keynote speaker General James Mattis (Ret.), 26th U.S. Secretary of Defense and distinguished Marine Corps veteran, as he delivered a powerful address on "Where Strategy Meets Servant Leadership."
General Mattis commanded the room with sharp strategic intellect, deep historical knowledge, and an engaging sense of humor.
A few key takeaways on leadership that resonated deeply with our team:
The 3 C’s of Leadership: Competence, Caring, and Conviction.
A principle to lead by: "Listen with the willingness to be persuaded."
A huge thank you to the Manufacturer & Business Association for hosting such a top-tier, memorable event, bringing together the next generation and the leaders shaping our region's future. We were proud to attend!