MANUFACTURING
MANUFACTURING
Meet the New CIANJ Chairman of the Board : Dax Strohmeyer
By : Larry Feld
He is a former pro football player , a Rutgers University graduate , and the third-generation president and CEO of a successful medical device manufacturer started by his grandfather in 1955 . This Fall , board member Dax Strohmeyer adds another position to his resume : Chairman of the Board for the 900-member Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey ( CIANJ ).
“ I am excited to welcome Dax Strohmeyer as our new Chair and look forward to working with him as we grow this organization ,” Anthony Russo , President of CIANJ stated , while also expressing gratitude to the outgoing Chair for her dedication to the organization .
“ A special thanks goes to Audrey Murphy for her tremendous contribution to our organization ,” noted Russo . “ During Audrey ’ s tenure as Chair , CIANJ has weathered the aftermath of COVID-19 to become a stronger , more focused organization .”
“ Dax will be an excellent Chair ,” adds Murphy , Esq , MSN , RN , Executive Vice President , Co-Chief Legal Officer and Chief Officer , Team Member Health and Safety at Hackensack Meridian Health . “ As a long-time board member and leader of a family-owned manufacturing business , he has the experience to understand New Jersey business owners ’ daily challenges . In addition , his energy and positive attitude will spark excitement and growth in the coming years ,” she said .
Growth and attention to generational shifts are high priorities for Dax , who intends to leverage his years of experience in team building to help CIANJ attract younger business professionals to the organization .
“ I would like to help the association find ways of bringing in the next generation of business leaders ,” Strohmeyer says . “ For the long-term success and prosperity of CIANJ , we need more 30-somethings and 40-somethings coming into the organization to carry us into the future .”
He also acknowledges the fundamental changes in the workplace post-Covid , including that remote workers and virtual meetings are challenges the organization must find creative ways to leverage .
“ Having served on the ( CIANJ ) executive board for a few years now and knowing the challenges that we talk about every month ; the biggest challenge is understanding how the business world has changed throughout the last couple of years with in-person versus virtual meetings . We need to discover how to improve upon the value proposition that we give to our members in both remote and in-person settings . I think that ’ s something we need to address moving forward ,” he reflects .
The impact of his past career in professional sports continues to play a positive role for Dax , not only from the benefits of being a team player but also from the invaluable leadership lessons .
“ All the time , I pull from that experience ,” he relates . “ While my professional career was shorter than I might have liked , I ’ ve had the privilege of – whether in college or the pros – playing for over 25 different coaches who eventually either were or would become head coaches in the NFL . I draw from my experience playing for those incredible leaders all the time . From these experiences and dynamic personalities , I have learned different ways to go about things ,” he explains .
He still employs two specific leadership lessons every day . “ First , I have learned that there are multiple ways to skin a cat ,” he offers , with a chuckle . “ But the most important thing is to stay true to your personality and who you are . People can see through fake . Genuine leadership skills usually come from within . Don ’ t try to be somebody else or act the way you think you ’ re supposed to act . Just be genuine . It is essential when it comes to leadership .”
Some might call it common sense , but Dax ’ s leadership skills have helped to transform Triangle Manufacturing into a vibrant , growing company , with 235 employees spread over four facilities that create precision-machined devices for orthopedics , spine , small bone , joint , maxillofacial , and ENT applications . The company works in both metal and plastic CNC machining . It is demanding work that requires the highest standards of quality and precision .
“ At one point in my life , I wanted to be a lawyer ,” Dax continues . “ I enjoy the legal aspect of my role at Triangle with contract negotiations and related issues , but that ’ s just one responsibility . For the most part , my role is now focused on strategic planning for the future , as well as significant time invested in human resources activities . We are constantly asking how Triangle can become the go-to manufacturer in the state and how can we enhance our employee experience . We are constantly trying to find new ways to become a top employer by choice . That ’ s a challenge ,” he explains .
Dax also brings to CIANJ his close ties to and deep passion for New Jersey ’ s manufacturing community .
“ Few people realize there are still over 11,000 manufacturers in New Jersey . I ’ m a board member of New Jersey Manufacturing Extension
Dax Strohmeyer , President and CEO of Triangle Manufacturing Company , is the new Chairman of the Board for the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey ( CIANJ ).
Program ( NJMEP ), and I ’ m personally committed to advocating for manufacturing in the state . We are trying to build an environment that is friendly to manufacturing . I think it ’ s important that we have a strong manufacturing base in the U . S ., and specifically in New Jersey .”
As we face a year of change in the political landscape , Strohmeyer is also positive about the prospects for New Jersey and the country overall . “ I believe there is tremendous opportunity regardless of who gets elected as Governor and President . Change is a given , and I think there should be optimism about the growth and development of business in our state . Sure , New Jersey has its complexities . They have been there for a long time and always will be . But I think they distinguish our great state ,” he says .
For example , Dax notes the upcoming FIFA championship in 2026 to be held in the Meadowlands . “ It ’ s a great opportunity to have eyes on New Jersey . I think it ’ s something that we all can potentially rally around .” Dax is equally positive about the value derived from his involvement with CIANJ .
“ For me , the most valuable takeaway from my experience with CIANJ has been the building of personal relationships . Just meeting and getting to know people – both within manufacturing and outside different industries – has been invaluable . I now have a network of folks I can lean on . That ’ s the real CIANJ experience . I can pick up the phone or send an email and know that somebody from any walk of life or industry will answer my question . That ’ s the heart of it , isn ’ t it ?” he concludes .
Photo : Adam Lerner Photography 6 COMMERCE www . commercemagazinenj . com