Governor Quinn Visits TMA Headquarters

(Park Ridge, IL)-The Technology & Manufacturing Association of Illinois (TMA) welcomed Illinois Governor Pat Quinn to TMA headquarters yesterday for a breakfast sponsored by the TMA Government Relations Committee (GRC). “We are very pleased to have Governor Quinn with us today,” stated TMA Chairman Brian Panek. “Believe it or not, he is the first sitting governor to visit our headquarters in the 89 year history of TMA.”

Quinn, the 41st Governor of Illinois, is bullish on manufacturing and sees opportunities for companies in the global market. “My job is to be the exporter in chief,” he stated. Quinn also acknowledged the importance of training the next generation of manufacturers. “We like working with TMA on training grants because we know we need to close the skills gap in manufacturing. We also need to build partnerships with our community colleges,” he added.

TMA just this week inked an agreement with Oakton Community College whereby TMA manufacturing students can receive college credits at Oakton. When apprised of this, the Governor stated, “these are exactly the kinds of program we need and I need to take a closer look at Oakton.”

“TMA is on the frontline of training and education,” stated TMA immediate past Chairman and Chairman of the GRC Zach Mottl during his introduction of Governor Quinn. “Other issues of importance to our members are tax reform and workers’ compensation reform. We need to have a level playing field with surrounding states.”

About TMA: 8 small manufacturing companies who thought they could better themselves by associating with one another founded TMA in 1925. Through the years, members established programs and services that would help their businesses grow and prosper, train their employees, and provide medical and retirement benefits. As a result of these efforts, TMA has grown into an almost 1,000 member not-for-profit organization representing more than 30,000 employees of precision manufacturing and supplier companies throughout Illinois.