Programs & Initiatives
Tri-State Manufacturers Alliance Peer Groups
LEAN Manufacturing Peer Group
PURPOSE: To provide an environment for local Lean Manufacturing professionals to share experiences, best practices and seek input on current and future projects. To establish a group for members to share ways to eliminate waste, improve processes and gain a competitive advantage. Meetings will include tours of local manufacturing facilities, roundtable discussions and networking events. Primarily meet at a member’s facility and share a lean success story or current lean project that you are looking for assistance on from the group. Meetings will be in-person with the option to attend virtually.
TSMA Lean Peer Group Lead: Brandon Wright, Vice President of Operations – Nix Industrial – bwright@nixcompanies.com
Future Leaders Peer Group
PURPOSE: To provide an environment for professional ‘Future Leaders’ to share experiences, best practices, and seek input on current and future projects. The goal is to gather high achievers, employees seeking to rise through the ranks, or business-chosen employees that they wish to further develop. The hope is to have a group of highly skilled individuals for future recruitment opportunities. This group will primarily meet at a member’s facility in-person or with the option to attend virtually.
TSMA Future Leaders Peer Group Lead:
Russell Haag, Head Quarters Gas Division Manager – Jasper Engines & Transmissions – russell.haag@jasperengines.com
cfo PEER GROUP
PURPOSE: To provide an environment for local Chief Financial Officers and other relevant titles in the manufacturing world to share experiences, best practices and seek input on current and future projects. To establish a group for members to discuss topics revolving around accounting, finance and HR-related topics to more strategic planning, culture and other long-term topics. Meetings will include joining group phone calls, virtual or in-person meetings to discuss the various topics previously mentioned.
TSMA CFO Peer Group Lead: Linda Bueltel, Chief Accounting Officer – Jasper Holdings – linda.bueltel@jasperengines.com
hr Peer Group
PURPOSE: The purpose of our HR Peer Group is to foster collaboration, share best practices, and drive innovation in human resources across local manufacturing companies. Through regular meetings, educational sessions, and networking, we aim to address common challenges, explore new strategies, and support each other in achieving excellence in business partnering. Together, we are committed to transforming our workplaces and elevating the employee experience throughout the region.
TSMA HR Peer Group Lead:
Holly Sanders, Human Resources Business Director – AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals- holly.sanders1@astrazeneca.com
Safety Peer Group
Purpose: The TSMA Safety Peer Group aims to create a collaborative environment for local safety professionals in the manufacturing sector to share experiences, best practices, and seek input on current and upcoming projects. The group is dedicated to fostering a culture of safety by highlighting successes, discussing innovative safety strategies, and brainstorming ideas to continuously improve safety practices. Meetings are held every other month, alternating between in-person gatherings at members’ facilities and virtual sessions via Teams.
TSMA Safety Peer Group Lead: Crystal Robertson, Safety/Compliance Coordinator- Anchor Industries Inc. – crystal_robertson@anchorinc.com
Manufacturing Reliability and Data Analytics Peer Group
PURPOSE: With the increase of automation in the workplace and movement to smart factories, this group will provide an environment for local Reliability Professionals and Manufacturing/Automation Engineers. The group will share experiences and best practices on proactive and reliability processes within organizations, as well as the data analytics and data visualization required for overall equipment lifecycle and continuous improvement. Meetings will include tours of local manufacturing facilities, roundtable discussions and networking events. This group will primarily meet at a members’ facility who will share a success story or current Reliability project that the group is looking for insight on. Meetings will be in-person with the option to attend virtually.
TSMA Maintenance Reliability Peer Group Leads:
Chris Nolan, Sr. Manager Operational Excellence – AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals christopher.nolan@astrazeneca.com
Norm Bulloch, Reliability Manager – AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals norm.bulloch@astrazeneca.com