News

This has been a great year for ARMA. We’ve added more members than ever before and now have a total membership of over 220 companies. Our programs and activities continue to expand including a record breaking Golf Tournament, a Trade Show, a $425,000 grant from Texas Workforce Commission, and a Workforce Study that will allow us to effectively address the talent shortages within industry. We would not be able to accomplish so much without great people and great members. I’d like to take a moment to thank our Board Members and sponsors. They make it possible. While many are deserving of recognition, two stood out this year and please help me congratulate the following:

Volunteer of the Year

Kristin Wheatley- Principal Engineer with TMAC

Kristin chairs two ARMA committees: the Lean Committee which sets up educational presentations and tours of regional facilities in order to share best practices and help production leaders build peer networks; and the Food & Beverage Committee which is tasked with recruiting more manufacturers into the association from this sector. She is also a participant in our Workforce Committee and Membership Committee. We are sure that you have seen her because she often volunteers at ARMA events, helping with registration or filling in for any needed task. Her efforts on our behalf add tremendous value and expand our capabilities.

Company of the Year

HID Global

HID Global has been an outstanding member in 2017. Their team members routinely participate in events and presentations. They were a featured stop on our bus tour and welcomed over 40 members for a tour of their facility. They also provided training rooms for ARMA to host its supervisor certification training. We are excited to announce that Dave Stewart, VP of Operations Integration, joined our Board of Directors. He will be an active member on our Workforce Committee.

Outgoing Chairman

Walt Barkalow- Director of Manufacturing for TASUS- Retired

Please help me thank Walt Barkalow, our outgoing Chairman for 2017. He is concluding a five year term as a founding board member of ARMA. The community is indebted to his service. In 2013 after a call to numerous manufacturing leaders, Walt was the first person that raised his hand and endorsed the idea of a regional manufacturers association. His input, guidance, presence, and consistency was key to the successful launch of ARMA. With his oversight on the board, the organization has grown from 8 members to 220.

Walt recently retired from TASUS as their Director of Manufacturing. He promises to still attend events periodically as long as we permit shorts and Hawaiian shirts.

Incoming Chairman

Mark Hunter- Sr. Director of Supply Chain, Luminex Corp.

Mark Hunter takes over the Chairmanship for 2018. Mark brings a wealth of experience in manufacturing and supply chain for the medical instrumentation sector. He has served as a Board Member for the last three years and is an active member on the Lean Committee. His focus will be to continue growing the organization and increasing meaningful engagement of our membership. Please join us at our January 25 luncheon to welcome him as Chairman.