CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (July 11, 2017) — The Board of Directors of both the Chattanooga Regional Manufacturers Association (CRMA) and its affiliate, the Tennessee Association of Manufacturers, announced today that Megan King will be promoted to president and CEO. She replaces the late Tim Spires who led both organizations until his passing earlier this year. King’s focus will be on serving the needs of manufacturers predominately in the Chattanooga region.
“Manufacturing in our region has experienced extensive growth during the last several years,” said Robert Gagliano, BASF’s Chattanooga site director and chairman of both Boards. “King’s focus going forward reflects our joint belief that the organization as a whole can be most effective through interaction with industry in our region. Established in 1902 as the first manufacturing association in the United States, CRMA today represents a multifaceted effort to support our regional manufacturing endeavors. It is fitting that King’s focus will be to underscore and continue that mission originating over a century ago.”
The Chattanooga Regional Manufacturers Association works to enable cooperation, competitiveness, and profitable growth for all Chattanooga regional manufacturers to create an enriched economic future for all citizens in our area. Through multiple committees, CRMA strives to support Education and Workforce Development, Environment, Health and Safety, Energy, Community and Government Relations, Logistics and Transportation, and Economic Development.
King originally joined CRMA in January 2011 where she served as executive assistant to the president and CEO as well as events coordinator. King was then promoted to operations director beginning in 2014 managing day-to-day operations, member relations, programming and event coordination as well as serving as the staff liaison for multiple CRMA committees.
“Over the last six years, I was fortunate to work under the guidance of Mr. Spires and a very active executive committee and board of directors who lead the top manufacturers in our region,” said King. “I am honored to accept this leadership role and am looking forward to providing valuable support for our manufacturers and taking the organization to the next level.”
King earned a master’s degree in business from Kennesaw State University in 2014, and she graduated from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication.
She currently serves on the Tennessee Small Business Development Center Advisory Board. King is a native of Chickamauga, Ga., but she has lived in Chattanooga for almost 10 years.
About the Chattanooga Regional Manufacturers Association
Chattanooga Regional Manufacturers Association (CRMA) is a trade name for the Chattanooga Manufacturers Association, which was founded in 1902 and was the first local manufacturers association in the United States. CRMA’s interests lie in education, high environmental standards, energy, economic development, government affairs and training in all disciplines that affect the viability of manufacturing in the Chattanooga region. For more information about CRMA, please visit www.cma1902.com.