Council of Industry Announces 2012 Manufacturing Champions
The Council of Industry, the manufacturer’s association of the Hudson Valley, is proud to announce the recipients of the 2012 Manufacturing Champions Award. This honor is bestowed on individuals from both the public and private sector and an organization who through vision, dedication, hard work and tireless involvement have helped to overcome some of the many obstacles faced by manufacturers in the Hudson Valley community and in so doing they have made it possible for manufacturers and their employees to prosper.
This year’s Champions from the private sector, Richard and Carol Parker, are the founder and president of Fair Rite Products Corporation. Richard Parker, a pioneer of the early efforts to use ferrites for EMI energy attenuation, founded Fair Rite Products Corporation in Ulster County in 1952. Under Richard and his wife (and Fair Rite CEO) Carol’s leadership Fair Rite Products has grown into a multinational business. Today, still based in Ulster County, Fair Rite Products is one of the world’s leaders in development, innovation and manufacture of soft ferrite products, offering a comprehensive product line that includes a wide range of materials and geometries for EMI suppression, power applications and RFID antennas.
The public sector Champion is Orange County Executive Ed Diana. Serving as county Executive since 2001 Ed Diana believes that commercial investment is key to affordable taxes, good paying jobs, and quality communities. He has taken personal interest in numerous economic development activities affecting manufacturers including negotiating the Port Authority takeover of the management of Stewart Airport, the formation of the Orange County Business Accelerator, and the retention of major manufacturing employers Kolmar Labs and Satin Fine foods.
The Champion for an organization supporting Hudson Valley Manufacturing goes to the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation, the one-stop shop for companies considering relocating or expanding in the Hudson Valley region. HVEDC’s recent focus on developing industry clusters including semi-conductor, food and beverage, bio-Technology and Medical Devices has proven very beneficial to all Hudson Valley manufacturers. In developing the services infrastructure these clusters need to succeed, all manufactures have benefited, not just those that are part of individual clusters.
There will be a Manufacturing Champions Award Breakfast honoring the recipients on Friday May 18th, from 7:30- 9:30 am at the Powelton Club in Newburgh, NY. Sponsorship opportunities are available and make this event possible. Thanks to our supporting sponsors: The Chazen Companies, Mid-Hudson Workshop for the Disabled, and The Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation. Major and supporting sponsorships are still available, to become a sponsor or to reserve your seat at the event go to www.councilofindustry.org or call the Council of Industry office (845) 565-1355.
