Industry Staffing Updates

Sweet Manufacturing Company, National Grain and Feed Association

Sweet Manufacturing Company Announces Jenkins as Vice President of Manufacturing

Sweet Manufacturing Company announced Sam Jenkins as its new vice president of manufacturing. Jenkins will be responsible for leading all aspects of Sweet’s manufacturing processes and people. He will ensure that Sweet continues to provide a quality “Made in the USA” product via a safe, efficient and cost effective manufacturing process.

Jenkins comes to Sweet with more than 34 years of previous manufacturing experience. He began his career as a press operator and over the years has served in various capacities, including material handling, shipping and receiving, inside sales, scheduling, production manager and manufacturing manager. His most recently served as plant manager of a metalworking company where he managed multiple production departments totaling more than 100 employees.

Jenkins is a member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. He is a graduate of Clark County’s Community Leadership Academy and is a member of the Clark County, Ohio Regional Safety Council. His expertise is in the areas of quality control, safety, production metrics and performance efficiencies.

National Grain and Feed Association Announces McElrath as Director of Communications, Gombos as Manager of Arbitration and Mediation Services

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) has announced that Heather McElrath has joined its staff as director of communications, and Shannon Gombos has joined its staff as manager of arbitration and mediation services.

McElrath comes to the NGFA with extensive business communications experience. She served as vice president and communications manager for Rabobank in New York City from 2007-11. Prior to that, she was senior public relations manager for Freddie Mac and public relations manager at the American Bankers Association (ABA). While with the ABA from 2003-05, she developed, managed and executed strategic outreach and communications plans for its Center for Agricultural and Rural Banking, and its Center for Community Development. Most recently, she worked as director of public relations for PHH Arval, a truck fleet management consulting firm based in Sparks, Md.

“Heather has a great background for this position, with particularly strong communications experience in the financial sector,” said NGFA President Randy Gordon. “In her previous roles, she had a great knack for digesting complex financial subjects in easy-to-understand language, and did extensive work with the print and broadcast media. She also is experienced in social media and website development, and will be a tremendous asset as the NGFA modernizes and reinvents its communications programs, including redesigning its website and launching business-related social media platforms to increase its outreach to industry members and the public. The industry will enjoy and benefit from her energy and eagerness to engage on issues important to the grain, feed, processing and export sectors. We’re very fortunate to have her join our staff team.”

As manager of arbitration and mediation services, Gombos provides comprehensive support for the NGFA’s Arbitration System and mediation services. The NGFA’s Arbitration System was established shortly after the association was founded in 1896, and is believed to be the oldest alternative-dispute resolution system in North America.

“Shannon hit the ground running, and is doing an exceptional job in managing a heavy caseload of arbitration proceedings – one of the NGFA’s most valuable membership services,” said NGFA President Randy Gordon. “The industry and those parties involved in arbitration proceedings and mediation will appreciate her professionalism and the level of energy she brings to this important role. She’s a great addition to our staff.”

Gombos joins the NGFA staff team after graduating earlier this year from Providence College in Providence, R.I., with a double major with honors in English and economics. She also was on the Dean’s list, and served internships in sports broadcasting at the local NBC affiliate and was a DJ and co-host of a weekly morning talk show on the Providence College radio station. She also served an editing internship with a Norwalk, Conn., environmental magazine. Most recently, she served as a marketing coordinator and administrator at a fitness center in Providence, R.I.