The American Mold Builders Association today announced that Jeanette Bradley, its executive director for 30 of the 34 years that AMBA has been a trade association, has retired, effective June 30. Bradley has been a driving force behind AMBA, and the group won't be the same without her. Here are some highlights from the news release:
The AMBA was founded in 1973 by a group of eleven Chicago-area mold shop owners in an effort to establish policies and standards for mold manufacturing, particularly with respect to obtaining down payments and progressive payments on mold programs. The group quickly grew as other company owners became interested in addressing the issues that faced mold companies. At its peak during the mid-1990s, the AMBA had approximately 450 member companies, representing about 10 percent of U.S. mold making companies. Bradley was recruited by the membership in 1977 to take over all the administrative work for the group. As membership grew, so did Bradley's role, and she was soon named Executive Director. Under her direction, the AMBA grew into the largest industry trade association for moldmaking companies in the United States. She developed many of the programs and benefits that members of the AMBA enjoy today, and helped to make the AMBA a national organization serving members in 37 states. The quarterly newsletter has grown under her direction, to a 48-page, full-color magazine that provides members with valuable information on the industry. Annual conventions and the fall conferences were also developed under her guidance and efforts to make them some of the most memorable events conducted by the AMBA. Bradley's dedication to the moldmaking industry and to the AMBA over the past three decades has resulted in a strong and vital industry association. “The AMBA has been much more than a job,” Bradley said. “It's been my passion and my life for 30 years. Both the industry and the people that I've met are so valuable to me. Everyone I've worked with over the years has been so wonderful and made my work at the ABMA a pleasure. The annual conventions gave me wonderful opportunities to travel to places I came to love, and see the enjoyment of the members as they've enjoyed these venues as well. I've got a heart-shaped sign on my desk that says 'I Love My Job' and it's still true, but after 30 years I'm going to retire. This industry has always been a challenge, but a wonderful challenge, and I'll miss it.” Bradley will remain active with the AMBA in the role of senior advisor helping during the transition phase as the Board conducts the search for a new executive director.Best of luck, Jeanette.