Networking Groups

Membership

Networking Groups

PMA’s networking groups provide a unique platform for mid-level managers and senior-level executives to exchange ideas and compare experiences within a confidential and legal format. These member-exclusive programs offer the opportunity to generate and promote new ideas, enhance professional development, benchmark operations, share new perspectives and engage in peer networking.

Participation in a PMA networking group includes access to an exclusive e-mail list serve to extend the benefits of interaction beyond meetings, so you can stay in touch with group members, seek advice and share experiences via e-mail year-round.

Networking group meetings typically include industry plant tours, networking receptions and roundtable discussions.

Current Networking Groups

All networking groups are reserved for PMA members only and to join a networking group, you must submit an interest to join. 

  • Bottom Liners Networking Group: Created in 2025, members of this group are financial professionals, including CFOs, controllers, and vice presidents or directors of finance/accounting.
  • Club 301 Networking Group: Formed in 2023, this group is reserved for mid-level managers, many of whom are graduates of PMA’s Management Development Academy.
  • GADA Executive Networking Group: In existence since 1997, this group is comprised of CEOs, presidents and owners.
  • It’s Just Business (IJB) Executive Networking Group: Founded in 2012, this group was developed for the next generation of metalforming leaders.
  • Naples Executive Networking Group: Formed in 1997, members of this group are CEOs, presidents and owners.
  • Past Chairs Networking Group: Comprised of past PMA chairmen/chairwomen. 
  • Press Club Executive Networking Group: Formed in 2014, members of this group include presidents, vice presidents, chief operating officers and plant management.
  • The Cellar’s Executive Networking Group: Developed in 2018, this group is comprised of executives involved in sales and marketing functions at their companies.
FAQS

Networking Groups Questions?

If you don’t see your question listed, feel free to reach out—we’re happy to help!

Any PMA member is eligible to apply to join a networking group. 

PMA members first must submit an interest form. PMA staff will review the members request and pass along to the networking group members that best fit the PMA member. The group members will review the interest and decide to move forward with an invite to an upcoming meeting. After the meeting, the members will then decide on whether the member will join the group. 

Yes, there is a yearly fee for each networking group that will cover all meetings and food costs for that year. 

Doug Trout

Director of Exhibitions-FABTECH

Dan Toth

Senior Web Developer

Marianne Sichi

Technical Program Manager

Ilene Schwartz

Membership Engagement Specialist

Sam Schwab

Marketing Intern

Mary Pramik

Workforce Development Manager & Education Support Manager of PMAEF

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.

Erin Peterman

Meetings and Events Manager

Marlene O'Brien

Editorial Manager

Mike Novatny

Senior Graphics Designer

Diana Novak

Membership Engagement Specialist

Cindy Minn

Membership Insights Data Manager

Alison Miller

Meetings and Events Manager

Lou Kren

Senior Editor

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.

Steve Koets

Member Engagement Manager

Randy Kish

Membership Engagement Manager

Adam Jarvis

Systems Administrator

Garret Horvath

Art Director/Graphic Designer

Julia Gannon

Meetings and Events Manager

Susan Cubranich

Production Manager

Brittany Borden

Marketing Coordinator

Melody Berendt

Circulation Manager

Lori Bailey

Accounting Assistant/Office Manager

Damon Wolf

Publisher

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

Technical Director

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

Director of Membership Sales

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

Editorial Director

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.

Connie King

Director of Workforce Development & Executive Director of PMAEF

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

Director of Marketing

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

Director of Government & Communications

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

Executive Director of Member Services

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.

Mark Getsay

Managing Director