CENTRAL MICHIGAN MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION (CMMA)

Membership in the CMMA brings with it factory tours, scholarship opportunities, networking opportunities, the exchange of ideas with manufacturers facing the same issues and challenges, along with insight into how other manufacturers successfully do business in our region. It’s not unusual for our members to bump into new improvement ideas during tours and presentations. We know that these opportunities have saved many dollars for our members.

In the past year, all of our Special Interest Groups (SIGs) Safety, Education, Human Resources and the Executive Roundtable have supported our membership by working on issues important to manufacturers, sharing best practices among them and educating members about available resources. Also, the Quality SIG is being revamped to better serve our members.

Collaborative efforts in securing specialized training have saved participating companies significant dollars in training costs. An example, we estimate that a CMMA-sponsored hoist inspection training saved each participating company $900 per participant. Similar savings were realized with our Arch Flash, and Lean Champion training courses. CMMA members are also eligible for discounts with MMTC for employee training and a similar arrangement is in place with MMC.

Our goal is to continue to move forward, bringing value to our membership in the form of unique training opportunities, access to best practices between manufacturers, facilitating a collective voice in regional government to influence issues impacting manufacturers, and more.

Several projects have been implemented which further these objectives, including an electronic newsletter, an active partnership with General Agency Insurance in Mt. Pleasant, and assumption of a more active role in brokering manufacturing-related education and training. We also envision supplementing our tour-oriented meetings with round-table discussions and informational presentations, ranging from technical to political.

A CMMA membership is an investment in your business. We invite you to join us. If you’re already a member, the more you participate, the bigger your return on investment, so by all means dive in!

  • Best Practices

    Access to best practices between manufacturers.

  • Supply Chain

    Our members participate in a regional supply chain.

  • IDEA EXCHANGE

    Access a network of regional manufacturers that participate in an open exchange of ideas.

  • TRAINING

    Access to training and tools for continuous improvement.

  • COLLECTIVE VOICE

    With strength in numbers, our members combine to create a collective voice in government.

  • INFLUENCE LEGISLATION

    Influence on legislative issues that impact manufacturing.

  • OUTSIDE INDUSTRIES

    Exchange of best practices with manufacturing industries.

  • EDUCATION

    Education of members about available resources (workforce development, etc).

  • SPECIAL INTEREST

    Active special interest groups (Education, Human Resources, Safety, Quality, Executive Roundtable).

  • GENERAL AGENCY

    Endorsed insurance program with General Agency.

Harry Leaver

President

In his current role as the President of the Central Michigan Manufacturers Association (CMMA), Harry Leaver leverages his experience gained in over 54 years working in manufacturing, including leadership roles in locations both domestic and international.

Harry is recognized throughout MidMichigan as a champion of regionalism and a strong advocate of collaboration. In addition, there are many examples where he has brought businesses together allowing them to shorten supply lines or reduce costs.

“Business Is Better When We Work Together” is the CMMA tag line. Harry is a staunch advocate of this and promotes it every day.

Throughout his career, Harry has served on numerous non-profit boards around the region. Current boards include CBM Services (part of the Midland Business Alliance) and Junior Achievement.

Harry is an honors graduate of Northwood University’s business management program. He is also a graduate of a nationally recognized machine design apprenticeship (10,000 hours). Harry is a recipient of the Michigan Manufacturers Association Manufacturing Lifetime Achievement award.

Man with bow hiking in forest

The Board

Bill Henderson

Board President

President, Aircraft Precision Products, Inc., Ithaca

DAWN THOMAS

Secretary, Emeritus Board Member

Former Plant Manager of Alro Steel, Clare, and currently with MDT Agency, Sanford

Paul Aultman

Board Member

President, Vantage Plastics, Standish

DON SCHURR

Board Member

Formerly with Greater Gratiot Development, Inc., Ithaca

BRIAN SHEETS

Board Member

Executive, Avalon & Tahoe Pontoons, Alma

KELLY WEHNER

Board Member

President, Case Systems, Midland

BRENT HARDMAN

Board Member

President, Powell Solutions, St. Louis

Matt Alexander

Board Member

Director of Operations, Rite-Hite, Clare

KASEY ZEHNER

Board Member

Director of Business Development, Greater Gratiot Development, Inc., Ithaca

AMANDA GLAZIER

Board Member

Account Executive, PADNOS, Alma

TIM HOOD

Board Member

President, Mid Michigan College, Harrison

Ray Ogden

Board Member

Director of Business Development, Greater Gratiot Development, Inc., Ithaca

Jeff Green

Board Member

Roll-Rite, Gladwin

Christine Murphy

Board Member

Human Resources Manager, Integrity Fab & Machine, Breckenridge

CMMA BY-LAWS

Review our by-laws, available online, and in PDF format.

CMMA ANTITRUST POLICY

Review our Antitrust Policy; available in PDF Format.