About Us

est. 1900

MAST: A Tradition of Industrial Excellence

The Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier has a long, distinguished, and unique history. Founded in 1900, the association was one of the first organizations of its kind and became a model for similar groups throughout the United States. 

MAST takes great pride in its tradition of and commitment to industrial excellence throughout New York’s Southern Tier. MAST’s history is rooted in absolute dedication to helping area manufacturers develop, grow, and ultimately thrive. 

Through collaboration with key stakeholders and hard work, MAST remains at the forefront of strengthening the area’s manufacturing foundation for generations to come. Manufacturing is the backbone of the Southern Tier’s economy, supporting thousands of jobs — and by extension, families —  in dozens of communities.

In representing a membership of over 110 manufacturing operations employing more than 8,600, MAST’s efforts center around nurturing an environment where manufacturing prospers. The association continues its work to facilitate communication among its members, provide opportunities for workforce development, and maintain strong working relationships with the region’s government leaders in our advocacy efforts.

George V. Blackstone, Blackstone Manufacturing Company, Founder and President of the Manufacturers Association from 1901-1902.
George V. Blackstone, Blackstone Manufacturing Company, Founder and President of the Manufacturers Association from 1901-1902.

Our Board

MAST’s board comprises 13 leaders representing the different facets of the region’s manufacturing sector. Each brings a unique breadth of experience in managing our organization.

Dale Gier, DRG Consulting

President

Dale Gier,
DRG Consulting
Rhonda Johnson, Weber Knapp Company

Immediate Past President

Rhonda Johnson,
Weber Knapp Company
Eric Livengood, Ulrich Planfiling

Vice President

Eric Livengood,
Ulrich Planfiling
Chase Churchill, Jamestown Electro Plating

Second Vice President

Chase Churchill,
Jamestown Electro Plating
Chris Anson, Lakeside Precision, Inc.
Chris Anson,
Lakeside Precision, Inc.
Daniel DeMarte, Jamestown Community College
Daniel DeMarte,
Jamestown Community College
Anna Dibble, Cummins Inc.
Anna Dibble,
Cummins Inc.
Mike Evans, Bush Industries
Mike Evans,
Bush Industries
Chris Lanski, Excelco
Chris Lanski,
Excelco
Randy Manitta, Hope’s Windows
Randy Manitta,
Hope’s Windows
John Mulryan, Siemens Energy
John Mulryan,
Siemens Energy
Rick Turner, Blackstone Advanced Technologies
Rick Turner,
Blackstone Advanced Technologies
Paul Zebraski, Nestle Purina
Paul Zebraski,
Nestle Purina

What We Stand For

Mission

The Manufacturers Association is a proactive leader committed to enhancing the economic strength of the region. The Association promotes the common interests of its membership, develops services that benefit its members and is a primary resource for information and assisting in the promotion in manufacturing excellence and innovation in a global economy. 

Vision

The Manufacturers Association is a dynamic, flexible and strong organization with established regional partnerships focused on serving the needs of manufacturers.

Principles

  • We achieve our mission through the development of information and services of benefit to members and the geographic area in which they operate. 
  • We promote and host cross-functional communications with our membership on specific issues by using sub-committee structures.
  • We drive change by communicating and coordinating with the local, state and federal government, and agencies in response to our membership needs. We work with the government and various organizations to define and address the economic development needs of the manufacturing community with emphasis on efficiencies and cost reduction efforts helping the retention of existing and the creation of new businesses.
  • We work with various organizations and agencies to define training that is available to manufacturers and seek to create programs that meet the specific training needs that are not fulfilled by existing institutions by developing linkages and partnerships with schools and agencies.  
  • We see our youth as an extremely valuable resource to our area and work with them to foster an understanding of manufacturing and career opportunities. 
  • We play a proactive role in creating high quality, accessible and affordable health care by partnering with other organizations seeking to attain the same objective.

Our History

  • 1900-1950
    • To curtail increases in health insurance costs to manufacturers in Jamestown, the association founded Jamestown Mutual Insurance Company. 
    • Through efforts to lower costs to manufacturers, MAST founded Jamestown Industries, Inc. to conduct group purchasing.
    • In assisting area companies to find new employees, MAST established and maintained an employment bureau, which interviewed and screened 1,000 job seekers annually.
    • MAST merged with Jamestown Area Furniture Manufacturers Association, Inc., and began facilitating area furniture manufacturers combining their resources to purchase freight service to the West Coast at a lower cost.
  • 1950-2000
    • To help workers receive improved medical care, even in cases of industrial accidents, MAST established and maintained a medical bureau. MAST was also involved in the creation of WCA Hospital’s Industrial Medical Services.
    • MAST began offering its own educational and training classes for professional development. In addition, the association worked with area academic institutions to enhance existing education programs. 
    • MAST was instrumental in the establishment of the Labor Management Committee of the Jamestown Area as well as the Chadakoin Industrial Revitalization Program, which brought more than $6,000,000 to the community.
    • Recognizing the importance of accessibility, MAST was involved in several infrastructure initiatives, including finishing construction of Interstate 86, building the Chautauqua Lake Bridge, and establishing commuter air service at Chautauqua County-Jamestown Airport.
  • 2000-Present
    • With new methodologies in economic development taking hold throughout the Southern Tier, MAST worked with communities to encourage regionalism, shared services, and other cost reduction in the public sector.

    • MAST partnered with local physicians, hospitals and labor leaders to form the Chautauqua Plan in an effort to mitigate the health care costs for area employers and their workers.

    • To meet the demands of the ever-evolving manufacturing sector, MAST worked with Jamestown Community College to create the Manufacturing Technology Institute. MAST supported the regionalization of the training offerings of MTI and the establishment of an MTI location on the JCC Olean Campus.

    • MAST’s partnership with Jamestown Community College continued through helping the school develop certificate and associate degree offerings in welding, machine tool, design, and industrial maintenance technology.

    • MAST launched the Dream It Do It initiative with the purpose of increasing the skilled workforce pipeline entering manufacturing careers. DIDI has worked with 10s of thousands of students across the region introducing them to career opportunities in manufacturing.

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