Forming Our Future
Speakers
Tom Alongi
Partner, UHY LLP
Thomas Alongi is the lead partner overseeing audits of public and private companies for UHY’s Audit and Assurance Department. For more than 20 years, Tom has given invaluable financial advice to both public and private clients, with a primary focus on companies looking to maximize shareholder value through acquisitions, profit enhancement, restructuring, and ultimately exiting their investment.
Tom’s extensive background in costing separates him from the typical auditor. He’s involved in all stages of the costing process, starting with an in-depth understanding of operational and financial issues followed by a recommendations report and business model for improving the bottom line. Tom developed and implemented computer costing models that enable companies to better understand their cost structure and price their products for profitability.
Tom is the leader of the firm’s National Manufacturing Practice and a member of the National Transaction Services Group, where he performs financial and operational due diligence, and has led a significant number of transactions over the past several years. He’s hosted several conferences and authored numerous articles for various manufacturing and accounting publications for UHY and outside the firm.
Charles Bernard
CEO, Eagle Metals Inc.
Charlie Bernard is the CEO of Eagle Metals, a reroll mill of copper-based alloys, stainless steel, nickel alloys and CRS strip, founded in 1990.
Charlie has spent his entire 45-year business career in the metals industry. Starting at Olin Brass in East Alton, IL, in 1978, he held positions of increasing responsibility in inside and outside sales, and in reroll mill management.
In 1987, Charlie became the general manager of a full line service center of copper-based alloys and aluminum products in the Philadelphia area, and held executive management responsibilities for a stainless and nickel alloy reroll mill in Elgin, IL.
In 1990, Charlie purchased the reroll mill assets of Metals Engineering, a Brush Wellman company, which was solely a reroller of copper-based alloys at the time, and started Eagle Brass. In 2015, the company name was changed to Eagle Metals, to reflect the growing business in stainless steel strip and other materials.
Mike Brattain
Account Executive, Systems X Corporation
Mike helps business owners and IT managers develop strategies that solve real-world business challenges with common sense IT solutions. He brings more than two decades of experience in business development, sales and team management. Mike works directly with managed IT, cybersecurity and compliance teams to carry out winning solutions for Systems X and its clients.
Bill Coughlin
Leadership Development Coach, LIPPERT Academy of Leadership
Bill Coughlin is a member of the Corporate Leadership Development Team for Lippert Components Inc. in Elkhart, IN. Bill is responsible for engaging and developing individuals and teams in impact leadership roles at the executive, divisional and plant levels. He provides both assessment/evaluation and accountability of key leaders and teams for developmental growth.
Bill joined LCI with more than 30 years of strategic, operational, management and leadership experience. He worked as the vice president of operations and director of fulfillment and marketing services at Mossberg & Company Inc. In addition, Bill worked with United Airlines in its corporate and regional offices for more than 22 years.
Josh Forquer
Executive Vice President Sales and Technical Development, KIRCHHOFF Automotive
Josh Forquer is responsible for all sales, engineering and program management for KIRCHHOFF Automotive North America, a global leader in the development and supply of best-in-class structures for vehicle bodies and chassis. Innovative and economical lightweight products ensure that people are optimally protected in the event of an accident. Josh has 25 years of experience in the metalforming industry, specifically in the automotive segment with steel processing, stamping, welded assemblies and tubing. Josh began his automotive career in purchasing, gaining a solid foundation of what a customer looks for in a sustainable supply chain. After transitioning to a role in sales, Josh has held executive leadership positions with large Tier One automotive suppliers since 2005. He enjoys building strong teams that strive to meet the commercial and technical expectations of the customer.
Josh sits on the KIRCHHOFF Automotive North American board and has held previous board positions in for-profit and non-profit organizations. He holds an undergraduate degree from GMI (now Kettering University) and an MBA from Michigan State University’s Eli Broad Graduate School of Management.
Aaron Gelb
Partner, OSHA, Workplace Safety Practice Group, Conn Maciel Carey
Aaron Gelb is the partner in charge of Conn Maciel Carey’s Chicago office where he leads the firm’s Midwest OSHA practice. He regularly advises and represents clients in relation to inspections, investigations and enforcement actions involving federal OSHA and state OSH programs, while managing a full range of litigation against OSHA. Aaron also assists clients in developing risk management and hazard assessment tools to identify and address workplace risks. He is a frequent speaker on OSH-related topics and regularly presents to industry associations including those focused on manufacturing, trucking and logistics, foodservice, and grain handling. Aaron received his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law.
Aaron Gelb
Partner, OSHA, Workplace Safety Practice Group, Conn Maciel Carey
Aaron Gelb is the partner in charge of Conn Maciel Carey’s Chicago office where he leads the firm’s Midwest OSHA practice. He regularly advises and represents clients in relation to inspections, investigations and enforcement actions involving federal OSHA and state OSH programs, while managing a full range of litigation against OSHA. Aaron also assists clients in developing risk management and hazard assessment tools to identify and address workplace risks. He is a frequent speaker on OSH-related topics and regularly presents to industry associations including those focused on manufacturing, trucking and logistics, foodservice, and grain handling. Aaron received his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law.
John Guzik
Partner, The Franklin Partnership, LLC
Contact John: jguzik@franklinpartnership.com
John Guzik is a founding partner of The Franklin Partnership, LLC, the bipartisan Washington, D.C.-based government relations firm that represents PMA’s interests before Congress and the Administration.
John has nearly 30 years of Capitol Hill and campaign experience. Prior to The Franklin Partnership, John served as the chief of staff for Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp; the deputy executive director of the National Republican Congressional Committee, where he was the liaison with the House Republican Leadership; and a top political strategist and fundraiser for the former House Policy Committee Chairman.
Laurie Harbour
President & CEO, Harbour Results Inc.
Laurie Harbour is president and CEO of Harbour Results Inc., a trusted advisor to the North American manufacturing industry. She utilizes her experience and data to monitor, research and analyze the manufacturing value stream, identifying strengths and weaknesses, gaps and risks, and business and operational opportunities to help the industry transform to be more successful in the global marketplace. Prior to joining Harbour Results, Laurie founded Harbour-Felax Group and was vice president and company officer at Harbour Consulting. She was responsible for development and management of The Harbour Report, the landmark study of labor efficiency for automotive OEMs. Laurie earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan-Dearborn in Operations Management and Human Resources. Also, in 2020, Laurie was named to the inaugural class of the Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame.
Bill Hickey
Chairman, Lapham-Hickey Steel Corp
Dan Krug
GM & VP of Talent, NUCOR
Dan Krug joined Nucor in August 2002 as director of human resources and became general manager of human resources in 2013. In September 2016, Dan was appointed to the newly created position of general manager, digital innovation, where he was responsible for business intelligence and B2B applications. In 2019, Dan assumed additional responsibility for the Information Technology function before leading both Information & Digital Technology and Nucor’s Talent Strategy in 2020. In March 2022, Dan relinquished his IT & Digital Technology responsibilities so that he could focus solely on Nucor’s Talent strategy.
Prior to working for Nucor, Dan was vice president of human resources for Oldcastle, Inc., a multi-billion-dollar subsidiary of CHR, plc, a Global 500 Irish-based building materials conglomerate. Prior to Oldcastle, Dan worked for Burlington Industries in human resources and operations roles in four of Burlington’s operating facilities before serving as director of human resources for Burlington’s House Division.
Dan received an undergraduate degree in Industrial Relations from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned an MBA from Virginia Tech.
Connor Lokar
Economist, ITR Economics
Few young economists present their insights with the authority, accuracy and humor that Connor Lokar brings to the stage. From the intimate executive retreat to trade association keynotes, he delivers with charm and candor, rousing and enlightening all who attend his talks.
As a millennial, Connor brings a new perspective to the world of economics, delivering ITR’s industry-leading accuracy to current C-suite executives while forging connections with the next generation of business leaders.
Connor specializes in construction but consults and presents to businesses across all industries, helping them grow revenue and remain profitable through an everchanging business cycle.
Omar Nashashibi
Partner, The Franklin Partnership, LLC
Omar Nashashibi is a founding partner of The Franklin Partnership, LLC, the bipartisan Washington, D.C.-based government relations firm that represents PMA’s interests before Congress and the Administration.
Omar has more than 20 years of experience working with policymakers, politicians and the media. Prior to The Franklin Partnership, Omar worked for the Office of Management and Budget. Earlier in his career, he served as a research assistant at the Institute for Public Accuracy, promoting policy to the media. In 1995, he began his career in Washington, D.C. covering congressional and agency hearings for a nationwide nonprofit publication
Paul Nathanson
Partner , Bracewell LLP
Paul Nathanson is a founding partner of the Policy Resolution Group at Bracewell, PMA’s strategic communications firm.
Paul has more than 25 years of experience in strategic communications, with a focus on reputation management, message development and implementation, public policy analysis, media relations and strategic counseling services. His expertise helps clients formulate their arguments in persuasive ways and ensures that their views are heard and understood by target audiences, including Members of Congress, policymakers, the news media and the public.
Connie Podesta
Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker, Connie Podesta Presents, LLC
An expert in the psychology of human behavior as it relates to sales, leadership, change and personal/professional development, Connie Podesta has more than 25 years of experience working with organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses and associations, helping them to defy conventional thinking and challenge the status quo. Connie is a keynote speaker, award-winning author of seven books, former TV and radio personality, actress and comedienne. She has a bachelor’s degree in Speech, Communications and Business, a master’s degree in Human Relations and Counseling, and was a Board-Certified Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) for more than 25 years.
Caitlin Sickles
Partner, Bracewell LLP
Caitlin Andrews is a partner in the Policy Resolution Group at Bracewell LLP. Her focus is on the design and implementation of comprehensive strategic communications and government relations programs. With proficiency in traditional and new media, Caitlin is adept at producing strategic communication materials from full-length op-eds and speeches to 140-character tweets. Caitlin leads PRG’s digital communication campaigns, creating innovative content for the websites and social media accounts for a range of companies and associations in sectors including energy, consumer products and national security. Her work includes comprehensive brand development with a focus on sophisticated social media and its use for effective advocacy. Caitlin holds an M.A. in Communication from The Johns Hopkins University and a B.A. in Public Relations and Political Science from Marquette University. She was recognized among PRNews’ Top-15-to-Watch in PR in 2011 and featured in a Marquette University magazine profile of Outstanding Young Alums in 2013.
Chris Ulbrich
CEO, Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals Inc.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in Labor Management and Finance from the University of Connecticut, Chris Ulbrich became the director of purchasing at Ulbrich Stainless Steels and Special Metals Inc., a family-owned company that is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
During his more than 40-year career at Ulbrich, Chris has held many positions. In 1988, he was promoted to executive vice president and remained in his position of director of purchasing and sales. In 1993, Chris became the president of Ulbrich Service Centers. From 1995 to 2014, he served as COO of Ulbrich, before being appointed chairman and CEO in 2014 after the passing of the second generation, Frederick C. Ulbrich, Jr.
In addition to continued commitment at Ulbrich, Chris is active with many boards of directors and community organizations, including the Young Presidents Organization, Castle Bank, Central Connecticut’s Community Foundation, Mid-State Medical Center’s Community Board, the United Way, YMCA, Connecticut Business and Industry, and the Boys and Girls Club.
