UTMBA Recognizes Dr. Marilyn Barger/FLATE as the Education Agency of the Year

On October 1 as part of the kick-off to Manufacturing Day/Month celebrations, the Upper Tampa Bay

Manufacturers Association hosted its third, Annual Manufacturers’ Award Dinner to acknowledge the contributions of manufacturers in the region and highlight manufacturing in the greater Tampa Bay area. At the awards ceremony, Dr. Marilyn Barger, executive director of FLATE, was bestowed with the “Education Agency of the Year” award for FLATE’s ongoing work in bringing together educators, manufacturers, government agencies and all interested parties, and highlighting FLATE’s ongoing efforts in coordinating Manufacturing Day/Month activities in Tampa Bay and around the state. Over 160 people attended the Awards Ceremony/Dinner which was held at the Nielsen headquarters in Oldsmar, FL. 

The Upper Tampa Bay Manufacturers Association has been one of the key business ally’s for FLATE in

the Tampa Bay area. UTBMA has worked closely with FLATE on a number of projects, including coordinating and hosting the Made in Florida industry tours for Manufacturing Day in Hillsborough & Pinellas counties. For information on the Upper Tampa Bay Manufacturers Association and its current programs and membership opportunities visit http://www.utbchamber.com, or contact Jerry Custin, director of BME at JCustin@utbchamber.com. 

FLATE was also named "Public Partner of the Year" by the Able Trust Florida High School High Tech. More on this honor and award in the next edition of the FLATE Focus. For information on FLATE’s statewide manufacturing-related workforce/professional development programs contact Dr. Marilyn Barger, executive director of FLATE at barger@fl-ate.org, or visit www.fl-ate.org and www.madeinflorida.org.