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MiMfg Magazine
November 2018
2018 MFG Emerging Leader
Jeremy E. Bockelman
Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center
Saginaw Valley State University
In an industry sometimes struggling to pull itself
away from its past and into the future, manufacturers
depend on young, passionate, excited individuals
who care enough to take the reins and lead when
called upon.
Those who know Jeremy Bockelman know his
emotions are carried on his sleeve. He cares deeply
about the people he works with and the industry he
serves. Since entering the manufacturing industry
nearly a decade ago, Jeremy has consistently poured
his passion and energy into benefiting manufacturing
at the regional level.
“I love manufacturing; the smells, the sounds,
watching materials turn into something finished and
usable,” says Bockelman. “It’s a career worth doing,
but we don’t do enough to bring awareness to skilled
trades, vocational training and professional career
options in manufacturing. What manufacturers do
greases the wheels of the entire economy, if we
aren’t preparing for tomorrow, we risk losing it all.”
Jeremy understands risk; taking on the challenge
of turning the Michigan Manufacturing Technology
Center’s northeast office from an organization
lacking even two full-time workers and turning it
into an eight-person support network was no easy
task. With his vision and drive, the office has helped
clients boost sales by $55 million and create 909
new jobs in the last 12 months.
“Jeremy is the definition of leadership, commitment
and dedication,” said Patrick Curry, president of
Fullerton Tool and a fellow board member of the Great
Lakes Bay Manufacturers Association with Bockelman.
“He has a true passion for manufacturing and is
already a leader in the Great Lakes Bay community.”
While passion can be intimidating, Jeremy’s efforts
have resulted in greater partnerships between regional
organizations like the Great Lakes Bay Manufacturers
Association, the Great Lakes Bay Economics Club
and the Independent Testing Lab at Saginaw Valley
State University. Through his willingness to carry a
greater load on his shoulders, the future of local
manufacturing is brighter than ever.
“Jeremy has been instrumental in our company’s
success in areas of training and lean manufacturing;
by introducing The Center to our organization, he
has introduced a menu of advanced training to our
workforce that creates viable hiring options from the
entry level to the executive staff,” commented Jill
Palm Lynch, vice president of human resources for
JRB Personnel, LLC. “I have known Jeremy for
more than a decade and can attest to his strength of
character and compassion for others — he embodies
all the attributes of a world-class leader.”
Jeremy’s passion expands beyond his dedication
to manufacturing, he is also dedicated to his employees.
Jeremy always ensures that his team has what they
need before worrying about himself. It is this
dedication which has earned him immense respect
from his employees. The same thing is true with all
of the businesses he supports and the people he has
worked with along the way.
“Jeremy is a rare find — he has the passion of
someone whose spent a lifetime in the industry and
the energy of someone with a lifetime left to give,”
says Harry Leaver, executive director of the Central
Michigan Manufacturers Association and a longtime
mentor of Bockelman. “He’s a quick study and you
never have to struggle with him; point him toward
a goal and he’ll achieve it. He’s a brilliant guy
destined for great things.”
With ten years behind him and a lifetime of
possibilities ahead, Jeremy is the caring, brilliant,
resourceful next generation leader manufacturers need.
“Being recognized like this — I hate talking
about myself so I’ll just talk about my dad,” says
Bockelman. “He always lived by the motto ‘challenges
are inevitable, defeat is optional,’ and I carry that
mindset with me. You can struggle. You can hit
hard times. But if you keep trying, keep rising up to
meet challenges, you’ll never be defeated and you’ll
always find success. That’s what manufacturers need
to do today and I’m just honored to help.”
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