OUR SITES
MDA is a highly interactive, three-part series of customized workshops, designed to grow your business and your people’s leadership acumen to prepare them for success in their current and future roles. The program rotates through different walkable and exciting cities across the country.
Next MDA Class: Class 16
Each session includes 2.5 days of expert-led workshop sessions, facilitated debriefs, activities and interaction, as well as plenty of time to connect with the presenters, facilitator and cohort peers. These sessions are loaded with valuable best practices, lessons and experiential activities that participants can bring back and make immediately applicable.
With each cohort limited to 30 participants, you can develop an intimate, long-lasting network of peers and colleagues that you can rely on as you grow your career and business.
Designed exclusively for department supervisors, team leaders and mid-level managers looking to advance their business and leadership acumen, MDA graduates are equipped to inspire and lead their teams and organizations.
Since its inception in 2012, more than 300 individuals have graduated from MDA, with many earning expanded roles and responsibilities at their organizations, a direct result of the skills and confidence gained from being a part of this highly regarded program.
The Precision Metalforming Association is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities. This program is worth 42 PDCs.
The use of this official seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval. This program, ID number 636615, has been approved for 40 conference recertification credit hours toward aPHR™, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®).
If you don’t see your question listed, feel free to reach out—we’re happy to help!
No, when you register for MDA, you are required to take part in all three sessions to graduate.
Yes, nonmembers can attend MDA. However, PMA members receive a significant discount on registration.
MDA typically sells out each year and is limited to 30 participants. Those who join the waitlist receive an early chance to register before it is open to the general PMA membership.
Prior to joining the PMA staff, Mary held positions as a program specialist for the Educational Center of Northeast Ohio and as an administrative program coordinator in the professional development department at Baldwin Wallace University.
Senior Editor Louis Kren has worked as an editor in trade and technical publishing since 1988. Before joining MetalForming in April 2000, he served as editor-in-chief of Forging magazine. During his career Lou also served as an editor with Foundry and 33 MetalProducing magazines.
Damon Wolf joined PMA as the sales manager for MetalForming magazine in the fall of 2018. In 2025, Damon was promoted to associate publisher. In April 2026, Damon was promoted to publisher. He handles all print and online sales related to the magazine and leads the strategic direction of the magazine. Damon comes to PMA from GIE Media, where he served for 10 years as regional sales manager for that company’s three manufacturing publications. Prior to that, he sold for American Machinist, then a publication of Penton Media, and other B2B industry magazines, totaling 18 years of B2B publishing experience.
Dean Phillips joined the PMA staff as director of technical training in May 2024. Prior to this, he was heavily involved with PMA Tennessee District, served on the PMA safety committee, and was a contributor to MetalForming magazine. Dean has been an active member of the forming and fabricating community for the past 35 years. He started his career at Niagara (later Clearing Niagara Bliss, CNB), serving as service tech, regional sales manager and fabrication product director. Later, he was the fabrication product director for Piranha / Allsteel and designed the Titan press brake with Tennsmith as its director of fabrication products. Dean also was national sales manager for SEYI Presses. Dean is an expert in IIoT and strategy for AI-based systems, as well as an expert on safety and controls, working to make manufacturers as productive and safe as possible. Dean spent 20 years with Link Systems and is designing VR/AR as president of Longevity Industries’ “Reality Safe.” You can hear Dean, the host/producer of PMA’s “Destiny of Manufacturing” podcast, with industry leaders and technical experts.
Mark Fortuna joined the Precision Metalforming Association in 2018 and currently serves as director of membership. With more than 30 years of experience in sales and relationship management, Mark leads PMA’s membership strategy, helping manufacturers connect with the resources, advocacy and networking opportunities that drive their success. Throughout his career, Mark has held a variety of sales and leadership roles across multiple industries, developing a strong foundation in customer service, strategic growth and team collaboration. His diverse background allows him to bring a fresh perspective to PMA’s mission, focusing on building meaningful relationships and creating long-term value for members. Mark is currently completing his MBA, which he expects to earn in December 2025.
Brad Kuvin began his career in 1984, accumulating nearly 40 years of experience in covering metal forming and fabricating technologies. Brad served as Editor of Welding Design & Fabrication and Gases & Welding Distributor magazines before joining PMA and MetalForming magazine in 2000.
Prior to joining PMA in May 2022, Connie King served as the director of professional development for Baldwin Wallace University, where she created and delivered original, competency-based learning programs for external organizations and university employees. She previously worked for the University of Akron as a manager of business solutions, where she developed and implemented internal and external organizational development programs, and created community, industry-based consortiums for assessing and satisfying skills demands. Prior to her higher education career, Connie worked in a variety of corporate and entrepreneurial positions which included expertise in marketing, trade show/events management, publishing, and training and development. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Business from Baldwin-Wallace College and an MBA from the University of Akron.
Drew Gutierrez is the director of marketing at the Precision Metalforming Association and MetalForming magazine, where he leads marketing strategy, communications and brand initiatives across digital and print platforms. With nearly a decade of experience in industrial and association marketing, Drew drives member engagement, event promotion and audience growth through data-driven campaigns and creative storytelling that connect manufacturers with resources, insights and opportunities for success.
Christie Carmigiano is the government and communications director at the Precision Metalforming Association, where she works with PMA’s Washington, D.C., team to advocate for policies that ensure a strong U.S. manufacturing sector, and to promote the industry and association in the media and to the public. Prior to joining the PMA staff in 1996, Christie worked as a legislative correspondent for then-U.S. Senator Mike DeWine.
Katlyn Stratis is the meetings and events director at the Precision Metalforming Association, where she leverages over 13 years of expertise in planning and executing high-impact events that support the association’s mission and engage its members. Specializing in conferences, educational seminars, small-format tradeshows, roundtables and networking events, Katlyn and the events team ensure that every event creates innovative, member-focused experiences that deliver value, foster collaboration and align with the association’s strategic goals.
