SCHAUMBURG – The Technology & Manufacturing Association’s Rose Mottl Leadership in Manufacturing Award recognizes women who have significantly contributed to manufacturing and inspire other women in the industry.
The 2023 Rose Mottl Leadership in Manufacturing Award recipient is Kyra Tillman, President of BTM Industries in Woodstock, Illinois, a third-generation manufacturer. Last year’s Mottl Award winner, Debbie Sommers, presented the Award at TMA’s Annual Women’s Luncheon at the Chevy Chase Country Club in Wheeling, Illinois.
On behalf of Mrs. Tillman, who was unable to receive the Mottl Award in person, Ms. Sommers shared with the audience these words:
Although feeling under the weather has physically kept me from today’s gathering, it has not kept me from the immense amount of honor I feel even having my name mentioned in the same breath as “Rose Mottl.” To be considered in the same company as Rose and all previous award winners is beyond humbling. I want to thank the committee for believing my efforts are worthy of this distinction.
I am passionate about our American manufacturing community and believe we can help propel this country forward. For that reason, I choose to lead my family’s manufacturing company with an open-door policy to visitors, media, government officials, and anyone willing to take a few moments to come and get a glimpse of manufacturing from our view.
Not only do I want to raise awareness about manufacturing and dispel all of the old-school notions of dark and dingy shop floors, but I also want to help inspire the next generation of makers. I believe the only way we can inspire them, however, is to welcome them in.
We proudly participate in a countywide manufacturing internship program for high school students each summer and have a Department of Labor-sponsored apprenticeship program.
We might be a small team, but we punch above our weight class! If we all do our small part, we can make a huge difference together.
Thank you very much for this honor.
More to come in the upcoming TMA News Bulletin – August 2023.
