CRMA's History
CMA was founded in 1902 by Captain C.D. Mitchell, a Civil War veteran from Dunlap, Iowa. He returned to Chattanooga after the war, and was operating the Chattanooga Plow Company when he recognized the need for concerted action by manufacturers to obtain favorable freight rates on manufactured products shipped by rail to midwestern markets.
CMA was the first local manufacturers association in the United States. Captain Mitchell was also instrumental in founding the Tennessee Manufacturers Association (now known as the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry) and the National Association of Manufacturers.
CMA moves into its second century as the independent, assertive advocate for manufacturers in the Chattanooga Region.
Current Activities
CRMA's interest in education, like its other activities, is principle-centered. Manufacturers are dependent upon an adequate number of employees and applicants possessing knowledge, skills and abilities compatible with current and future job requirements. In addition to strong interpersonal skills, the will to continue to learn and to readily accept ongoing change is necessary for success in manufacturing operations.
CRMA expects local education and political leadership to work cooperatively to creatively design, responsibly administer and adequately fund a high-performance school system that consistently produces graduates capable of success in higher education, as individual citizens, parents, and entrepreneurs or employees.
CRMA promotes the establishment of high environmental standards based on sound science, and opposes bureaucratic excesses that consume resources without delivering improvements in environmental quality or public health.
CRMA provides ongoing training and development opportunities to assist the membership in acquiring information and technology necessary for compliance with complex legal and regulatory requirements, and to assist in promoting emerging management styles and organizational structures.
CRMA assists other organizations in economic development activities, seeking to create a sustainable array of industries, suppliers and customers that collectively can compete on local, regional, national and global bases.
CRMA monitors and when necessary, participates in public utility rate setting processes to assure that adequate, reliable supplies of water, natural gas and electricity are available for industrial use at costs that permit competitive operation.
CRMA watches legislative and regulatory activities with potential impact on industrial interests, develops appropriate strategies and action plans in concert with other business and trade organizations, and engages law and policy makers to obtain results favorable to manufacturers.
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Board of Directors / Officers (effective 10/1/10)
Chairman of the Board: Dr. Bill Minehan (AdTech Ceramics)
Vice-Chairman of the Board: Paul Loftin (Siskin Steel)
Secretary / Treasurer: Robert Gagliano (BASFl)
Staff: Tim L. Spires, President / CEO
Directors:
- Darrell Edwards (La-Z-Boy Tennessee)
- Robert Gagliano (BASF)
- Don Jackson (Volkswagen)
- George Garcia (Buzzi Unicem USA)
- Michael McMahon (Valmont-Newmark)
- Dan Nuckolls (Koch Foods)
- Ron Speicher (Davron Technologies)
- Denise Rice (Cormetech)
- Wejun Robinson (Top Flight)
- Bruce VerBurg (Wrigley Manufacturing)
- Stephen French (Invista)
Committee Chairs:
- Education: Jack Matens (Russ Blakely & Associates)
- Energy: Steve Koviack (Alstom Power)
- Environment: Brian Humphrey (Miller & Martin)
- Government Affairs: Mike St. Charles (Chambliss, Bahner, & Stophel)
- Human Resources: Rusty Rouse (Chattanooga Coca-Cola Bottling)
- Public Relations: Albert Waterhouse (Waterhouse Public Relations)
- Membership: Kevin Tarver (MAU)
- Tax: Carl Hartley (Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell, & Berkowitz, PC)
CRMA Publication
The publication features information supportive of the many critical contributions of manufacturing, with graphic and textual presentations of the many changes made in manufacturing processes, facilities and job requirements."U.S. Manufacturing-Handle With Care" provides a look at current, past and future manufacturing operations. The publication will be used to better inform the public about the "New Manufacturing", as a recruiting tool to increase CRMA membership, and in the schools to provide guidance counselors and students with the current realities of manufacturing operations. A copy will be sent to all CRMA member companies. Additional copies may be obtained by calling the CRMA office 423-266-1902.