SCHAUMBURG, ILL. — Steve Rotman, president of Ameritech Die & Mold Inc., has been named 2013 Mold Maker of the Year by the American Mold Builders Association.
AMBA also named the West Michigan Chapter its chapter of the year during ceremonies at its annual convention April 24-26 in Schaumburg, Ill.
Each award brings with it a $5,000 endowment for education in mold making, sponsored by Progressive Components International Corp. of Wauconda, Ill.
In addition to running Ameritech Die, in Mooresville, N.C., Rotman is a member of the AMBA Board of Directors and a former AMBA president. He helped create Apprenticeship 2000 in North Carolina — a program bringing together educators, parents and employers — and was involved in the inception of AMBA's Fall Conference in Washington, D.C., where mold makers have a chance to meet with lawmakers.
Rotman himself met with members of President Obama's administration during the 2009 auto crises to represent the interests of toolmakers.
AMBA's West Michigan Chapter was noted for its activity in education and scholarship programs. It awarded $8,000 in scholarships in 2012 and another $15,000 for 2013. Many members of the chapter also meet with local and federal legislators to lobby for the industry's interests.