Articles

2019 Blue Collar BASH

The Geek Army set the stage for an incredible 13^th Annual Blue Collar BASH!  The January 26th event was sold out with over 420 people in attendance.  The BASH is held each year to celebrate individuals working in the precision manufacturing industry with live music, fantastic raffle prizes, and - new this year - a photo booth and BASHanatomy. 

NWPA NTMA Education Foundation provided two $500 Scholarships that were won by C&J Industries and Greenleaf Corporation [pictured left: Foundation President, Chris Minnis, and Robbie Riordan, Greenleaf Corporation].  Each certificate was presented with two twelve hour training certificates for PMI.  The Crawford County Career and Technical Center presented a Welding and Precision Machining Certificate to Penn Weld and Ripley Machine.  Additionally, a MasterCAM seat donated by Cimquest was presented to Greenleaf Corporation with two twelve hour training certificates for PMI.

Every attendee has the opportunity to win a Years of Service Award.  The winners this year include Holly Chatman (0-5 years), Cara Natalo (6-15 years), Todd Costello (16-30 years), Karen Faivre (30 + years) and Ashley Parish (non-industry attendee).

The success of this event is thanks to our rocking committee, our generous sponsors, and the amazing crowd that comes out to support the event each year!  

BASH COMMITTEE: Kim Flynn-Mierke, Starn Marketing Group (Chair); Jen Kliber, Lowry Supply Company; Ken & Bonnie Kuhn, Kuhn Tool & Die Co.; Chris Minnis, Laser Tool & Plastics; Sandy Bates, Acutec Precision Aerospace; Diana Wilkosz, Peters' Heat Treating; Tami Adams, NWPA Chapter NTMA; Lon Sippy, Highpoint Tool

MAJOR SPONSORS: Peters' Heat Treating, Kuhn Tool & Die Co., JBM Technologies, Cannon's Chophouse, TL Robertson Insurance, Phoenix Laser Solutions, Morton-Moore Insurance Agency, C&J Industries, Acutec Precision Aerospace, Highpoint Tool and Machine, FNB Wealth Management, Area Tool & Manufacturing Inc., First National Bank, Kriner Insurance Group, Manufactuer & Business Association, AFC Holcroft, Area Shopper, Edinboro University, the djb group, LSCI, Starn Marketing Group

BASHanatomy [pictured right] Game Sponsors: Alro Steel, 2WTECH, Palmiero Toyota, NuTec, Premier Power Solutions, Lowry Supply Company, Hagan Business Machines of Meadville, EPA, Cimquest MasterCAM, Meadville Medical Center, Geometric Design and Technology, Northwest, Blooming Valley Landscape & Supply, DMG Mori, James H. Cross, Lincoln Recycling, HAAS, Fisher Unitech, McGill Power Bell & Associates, ULINE, Morris Great Lakes, AmeriPAC, Hunter's Inn

2020 Blue Collar BASH

Dancing Queen had the dance floor shaking at the 14^th Annual Blue Collar BASH!  The January 25th event was sold out with over 430 people in attendance.  The BASH is held each year to celebrate individuals working in the precision manufacturing industry with live music, fantastic raffle prizes, and games. 

NWPA NTMA Education Foundation provided two $500 Scholarships that were won by Prism Plastics of Meadville and NuTec Tooling Systems Inc.  Each certificate was presented with twenty four hour training certificates for PMI.  The Crawford County Career and Technical Center presented Welding Certificates to Shorts Tool & Manufacturing and Laser Tool & Plastics Inc.  Additionally, a MasterCAM 2020 seat donated by Cimquest was presented to Highpoint Tool & Machine.

Every attendee has the opportunity to win a Years of Service Award.  The winners this year include Mike Borowy (0-5 years), Brian Hirshman (6-15 years), Darrell Wagler (16-30 years), Ken Kuhn (30 + years) and Breanna Bayer (non-industry attendee).

The success of this event is thanks to our fabulous committee, our generous sponsors, and the amazing crowd that comes out to support the event each year!  

BASH COMMITTEE: Kim Flynn-Mierke, Starn Marketing Group (Chair); Jen Kliber, Lowry Supply Company; Ken & Bonnie Kuhn, Kuhn Tool & Die Co.; Chris Minnis, Laser Tool & Plastics; Sandy Bates, Acutec Precision Aerospace; Diana Wilkosz, Peters' Heat Treating; Tami Adams, NWPA Chapter NTMA; Lon Sippy, Highpoint Tool

MAJOR SPONSORS: Peters' Heat Treating, Kuhn Tool & Die Co., JBM Technologies, Cannon's Chophouse, TL Robertson Insurance, RANZ Bar & Grill, Morton-Moore Insurance Agency, Acutec Precision Aerospace, Highpoint Tool and Machine, Area Tool & Manufacturing Inc., First National Bank, Penn Stainless Products, HBK CPAs & Consultants, Manufactuer & Business Association, McGill POwer Bell & Associates LLP, FNB Wealth Management, Lowry Supply Company, Cimquest, Kriner Insurance Group, Meadville Medical Center, Phoenix Laser Solutions, Palmiero Toyota, Hagan Business Machines of Meadville, EDM Performance Accessories, AFC Holcroft, Edinboro University, the djb group, Uline, Morris Great Lakes, Starn Marketing Group