2024 Women of Distinction Honorees

Innovate

The American Manufacturing Hall of Fame works to foster manufacturers innovation of both products, production and workforce development. Hence, starting in 2025 AMHoF has created the Innovator of the Year Award.

To honor those on the cutting edge of manufacturing and innovation here in are members of the American Manufacturing Hall of Fame:

AMHoF Inductees:

  • 2014: Bridgeport Machines, Bullard Machine Tool, Hubbell, Inc., Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and Warner Brothers Company
  • 2015: Bridgeport Brass, Moore Tool, Inc., Wheeler & Wilson/Singer, A.C. Gilbert, Brewster Carriage & Auto and Sargent Co.
  • 2016: Bead Industries, The Benedict & Burnham Mfg. Co., C. Cowles & Co., Chance Vought & Platt Brothers & Co.
  • 2017: Better Packages, Inc., MacDermid Performance Solutions, R.C. Bigelow, Inc., Stanley Black & Decker, & Ulbrich Stainless Steels and Specialty Metals
  • 2018: Cheney Brothers, Farrel Corporation, Handy & Harman/Steel Partners and Timex Group USA.
  • 2019: Ashcroft, Inc., Medtronic, Microboard Processing, Pratt & Whitney, Sonics & Materials, Inc.
  • 2023: ASML, General Dynamics Electric Boat, RBC Bearings
  • 2024: Arburg, Inc., Collins Aerospace, HORST Engineering, Otis Worldwide Corporation

Leadership Award Recipients:

  • 2014: Anita Gliniecki, Retired President, Housatonic Community College
  • 2015: Kris Lorch, President, Alloy Engineering & Kathy Saint, President, Schwerdtle Stamp Co
  • 2016: Jerry Clupper, Executive Director, New Haven Manufacturers Association
  • 2017: Jack Crane, Director of Growth & Innovation Services at CONNSTEP
  • 2018: Robert Klancko, Klancko & Klancko LLC
  • 2019: Frank D. Gulluni, Ret. Director Development & Operations, Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center, Asnuntuck Community College
  • 2023: Doug Johnson
  • 2024: Marcia LaFemina, Mary Fitzgerald

2024 Women of Distinction in Manufacturing

Connecticut is home to the best trained, best skilled workforce on the planet. So, it is no surprise that women are helming many of those efforts. In 2024, AMHoF honored twenty Women of Distinction in Connecticut Manufacturing:

  • Cindi Bigelow President/CEO, Bigelow Tea
  • Jessica Chavez Head of Service Training & L&D, Trumpf, Inc.
  • Shelley Fasano CEO, Dymotek Corporation
  • Dr. Jacquelynn Garofano Chief Technology Officer, CCAT
  • Laura Grondin President/Owner, Virginia Industries
  • Marcia LaFemina President, Penn Globe
  • Janet Link SVP/General Council/Secretary, Stanley Black & Decker
  • Jill Mayer CEO, Bead Industries
  • Martha Prou VP of Admin & Compliance, Phoenix Manufacturing
  • Kathy Saint President, Schwerdtle
  • Stephanie Blackwell Owner, Aurora Products
  • Kate Donahue President/CEO, Hampford Research
  • Mary FitzgeraldPresident, ACME Wire Products Co., Inc
  • Beatriz GutierrezPresident/CEO, CONNSTEP
  • Brittany IsherwoodPresident, Burke Aerospace
  • Marietta LeeCEO, Lee Company
  • Judy MarksChair & CEO, Otis Worldwide Corporation
  • Claude-Helene McIntyreVP/CFO, Arburg, Inc.
  • Nicole RussoPresident/CEO, Microboard
  • Dr Kelli-Marie VallieresChief Workforce Manager, CT Office of Workforce Strategy