Texas Border Business
The Board of Directors of STMA and their long-time Executive Director, Mike Willis, have been planning for several years to transition to a new leader who can work full time for STMA, continue our growth, and take the organization to the next level.
Teresa Hernandez is now the new leader. She comes to STMA with twenty years of experience in Human Resources, including five years each as HR Manager at Panasonic and Regal Beloit.
She also has experience in HR roles in the banking industry and working with an industry association.
Teresa worked at the regional board office for Workforce Solutions for three years with Mike. There she worked in business services and assisted manufacturing companies with recruitment and training needs, outreach and support. She also worked with Chambers of Commerce and other professional organizations, like SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management).
STMA now has over 190 member-companies, and according to Mike, this is an important step to ensure they continue to increase the value of membership in the organization.
Furthermore, he said, “the top two priorities for STMA are to promote careers in manufacturing to area students and adults and to help develop effective education and training programs that create a robust talent pipeline for our industry. Teresa is well-suited for this role, and we are excited to have her as our new Executive Director.”
Texas Border Business has been informed that Teresa will be working with Mike during the transition phase and will be conducting site visits with the members over the next few months to understand the mechanicals of the relationship.
Also, Mike has been appointed to serve on the STMA Board of Directors and will also serve as Treasurer for STMA.
Besides assisting with the transition, Mike will focus on the continued development of the Cameron County STMA chapter, which now has 19 manufacturing company members, as well as several Economic Development Corps. Manufacturing and related businesses including educational partners.
He will remain involved with advisory committees for industry-related education and workforce training programs with independent school districts and colleges.
Mike will continue to work for the workforce development board, Workforce Solutions Lower Rio Grande Valley.
Mike will continue to work directly with corporate Human Resources leaders to conduct the biennial wage and benefit surveys for the manufacturing industry in partnership with STMA. He has been doing these valuable industry surveys since 2004.
Texas Border Business Welcomes Teresa with open arms and wishes her unprecedented success in this new leadership role with South Texas Manufacturers Association.
