Small manufacturers across the state are invited to a series of events being hosted by the Manufacturing Growth Alliance (MGA) to celebrate Michigan’s $105 billion Manufacturing Industry during Manufacturing month.
The third event of the series, titled “Small Manufacturers Voice in Lansing,” will be hosted virtually on Tuesday, October 20, from 11 am to noon. MGA will host Senator Mike Shirkey in a virtual conversation to discuss critical issues for Michigan’s small businesses.
Shirkey has long been in leadership positions in his community and in the State of Michigan. In November of 2014 after serving two terms in the Michigan House of Representatives, residents of Michigan’s 16th Senate District elected Shirkey to the state Senate. Shirkey’s Republican colleagues elected him to serve as senate majority leader for his second term beginning in January 2019. As majority leader, Shirkey is one of the three legs of the leadership in Michigan, working with the governor and speaker of the house on major legislative priorities.
Shirkey is also an engineer and entrepreneur. He is the founder and owner of Orbitform, a Jackson area engineering company that manufacturers forming, fastening, joining and assembly equipment for a wide range of industries and applications. This company provides prototype engineering services for assembly of parts and specialized forming and fastening. Shirkey also worked for General Motors in various management and engineering roles for 13 years.
The discussion will be led by Al Pscholka, former state budget director under the Snyder Administration. Prior to his service in the governor’s office, Pscholka served three terms in the Michigan House of Representatives, including a term as the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.
In the Michigan House, Pscholka authored 64 public acts in his six years, more than any other member of the House. He was named “Most Effective Member of the House” by Michigan Information and Research Service (MIRS) in 2015; and Freshman Legislator of the Year in 2011. While being named Legislator of the Year by more than 10 organizations, Pscholka is most proud of his Legislator of the Year award by the Michigan Works Association in 2014. He also has experience at the federal and local level, having served as district director for U.S. Representative Fred Upton and he served two terms on the Lincoln Township Board of Trustees.
The remaining event in the series will focus on Managing a Multi-Generational Workforce and will be held on Tuesday, October 27, at 11 a.m. The events are available at no cost. To register or watch videos of the previous events, visit mgalliance.org/mfgmonth.
