The newest members of MANA’s Board of Directors represent two firsts in the 75‑year history of the association.
Michelle Jobst is the Board’s first female member, while Charlie Ingram represents the first manufacturing firm to occupy a position on the Board.
Jobst, CPMR, who has been a rep since 1994, heads Jobst Incorporated, Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The agency represents manufacturers of custom molded rubber, cast and molded polyurethane, thermoset and thermoplastic composites (fiberglass and carbon fiber), EMI/RFI shielding materials, precision machined and progressively stamped metal, plastic and rubber extrusions, and VPI encapsulation.
In explaining why she is willing to take time from running her agency to serve on MANA’s Board, Jobst explains that “I’ve been a rep for well over 20 years, and during that time the association has given so much to me and the agency that I simply thought it was time to give something back.” Among the MANA services she cites as having been beneficial over the years are everything from the personal counseling with MANA executives, Agency Sales magazine, the monthly iToolbox and the webinars.
She adds, “Since this will be my first time serving on the Board, I’m especially interested in gaining feedback from the other members so I can learn where I can provide value to its efforts and learn how best to give back to the association.”
Ingram serves as the vice president of sales and marketing for Eriez Magnetics, Erie, Pennsylvania. Eriez designs, develops, manufactures and markets magnetic separation, metal detection and materials feeding, screening, conveying and controlling equipment for more than 80 process and metalworking industries.
According to Ingram, “Simply put, selling through reps is part of Eriez’ culture. Just a few years into Eriez’ existence, a handshake between our founder and an independent rep served as an agreement which remains in place today, our 70th anniversary working together. Everyone at Eriez understands that our reps, though independent business people, are part of the Eriez family. We have many second- and even third-generation reps selling with us. These long-term relationships are integral to our success and growth over the years. This will help us in contributing to the MANA Board.”
He adds that “It’s impressive to me that MANA saw fit to add a manufacturer to the Board. That’s not only a positive for manufacturers, it’s a positive for both sides and provides an opportunity for a valuable back and forth between both sides.”
Commenting on the significance of the appointments of Jobst and Ingram, Charley Cohon, MANA’s president and CEO said: “As far back as MANA has records, this is the first time that the demographics of MANA’s Board roughly approximates the demographics of its overall membership. Last year, two Millennials joined MANA’s Board, and with the addition of female and manufacturer Board members, MANA’s Board now can do a much better job reflecting the perspectives and concerns of the association’s diverse membership.”