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Manufacturing Champions Awards Breakfast & Workforce Expo

Council of Industry's awards breakfast recognizing manufacturing champions.

Thursday, May 7, 2026

7:45 AM - 10:00 AM (EDT)

West Hills Country Club

121 Golf Links Road
Middletown, NY 10940
United States

Each year, the Manufacturing Champions Awards Breakfast recognizes individuals and organizations who, through vision, dedication, hard work and tireless involvement, have helped to overcome some of the many obstacles faced by manufacturers in the Hudson Valley community, and in so doing they have made it possible for manufacturers and their employees to prosper.

Please join us in celebrating this year’s honorees.

The Event begins at 7:45 a.m. with the Manufacturing Workforce Developers Expo.

The Workforce Developer's Expo includes educators, students, nonprofits, economic development and county partners actively engaged in training the future manufacturing workforce, allowing attendees to see the great work being done to build and develop the skilled pipeline necessary for manufacturers' success.

If you are interested in participating email Johnnieanne Hansen.

SUPPORTING SPONSORS

Tickets and Sponsorships

	Credits	Price
Table of Ten - Champions Award Manufacturing Champion Awards and Manufacturing Workforce Expo.		$558.00
Event Ticket (Individual and Table) Manufacturing Champion Awards and Manufacturing Workforce Expo.		$62.00
Major Sponsor Table of ten breakfast guests Public acknowledgment in two CI newsletters & social media posts Banner displayed at the event Inside front program cover ad Sponsor expo booth		$3,750.00
Supporting Sponsor Table of ten breakfast guests Public acknowledgment at luncheon and on sponsor slide show Banner displayed at the event Program half page Sponsor expo booth		$2,500.00
Expo Sponsor • Banner displayed at the expo • Company listed in program • Mention in Council of Industry Newsletter • Public acknowledgment at Awards Breakfast • Receive a table of ten guests • Prominent expo table location		$3,000.00
Audio Visual Sponsor • Banner displayed at Awards Breakfast • Company mentioned in program • Public acknowledgment at Awards Breakfast and on sponsor slide show • Mention in Council newsletter • Receive a table of ten guests • Expo booth		$2,600.00

Other Registration Options

	Credits	Price
Workforce Development Expo Booth Workforce Development Expo Booths are available to sponsors, educators, trainers, nonprofit, government organizations and CI member firms with registered apprentices. Expo booth is free with the purchase of at least two tickets.		FREE

Product Add-ons

Add-ons	Price
BREAKFAST \| Event Program - Back Cover Program (Award Breakfast) View Product	$1,250.00
BREAKFAST \| Event Program - Full Page Ad (Award Breakfast) View Product	$950.00
BREAKFAST \| Event Program - Half Page Ad Award Breakfast View Product	$500.00
BREAKFAST \| Event Program - Quarter Page Ad (Award Breakfast ) View Product	$325.00

Meet the 2026 Manufacturing Champions

Cedric Glasper, President & CEO, Mechanical Rubber

Cedric Glasper is a manufacturing leader known for his commitment to both industry and workforce. Since 1995, he has helped revitalize struggling facilities and preserve jobs through four strategic acquisitions that prevented plant closures and restored opportunity for displaced workers.

Cedric serves on the boards of the Council of Industry, the Association for Rubber Products Manufacturers, and the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his leadership ensured operations continued and employees remained on the job.

Beyond his business leadership, Cedric is an active community advocate, serving organizations including the Orange County Workforce Investment Board and United Way.

Ben Katzenstein, President & Owner, Star Kay White

Star Kay White, Inc. is a fifth-generation manufacturer that has produced ice cream ingredients, frozen desserts, and specialty flavorings since 1890.

Ben Katzenstein grew up in the family business, working alongside his father and grandfather from a young age and learning every aspect of the company’s operations. When he joined the company full-time, he recognized significant opportunities for growth.

In 1984, Star Kay White employed 16 people and was transitioning from a 15,000-square-foot plant in the Bronx to a new 30,000-square-foot facility. Under Ben’s leadership, the company has expanded to four buildings across 15 acres totaling approximately 170,000 square feet and now employs more than 150 people, many of whom are local Hudson Valley residents.

Jonah Schenker, District Superintendent, Ulster BOCES

Dr. Jonah Schenker has served as District Superintendent of Ulster BOCES since March 2023 and been part of Ulster BOCES since 2010, serving in a range of instructional and leadership roles, including founding principal of the Hudson Valley Pathways Academy.

He recently led the expansion of the Career and Technical Center into its new location at iPark87, a project that serves as a state and national model for advanced manufacturing education. This initiative was bolstered by his ability to secure support from parents, school districts, and political leaders, and was recognized with a $1 million grant from the Gene Haas Foundation.

To address the local workforce shortage, Dr. Schenker has aligned the BOCES curriculum with industry needs by collaborating directly with business leaders. By implementing their feedback, he has expanded facilities and programs to prepare students for rewarding careers within the Hudson Valley.

His impact on the manufacturing sector is evidenced by the growth of student internships and the resulting economic benefits for the local workforce.

The Gene Haas Foundation

The Gene Haas Foundation was established in 1999, by Haas Automation, Inc. – which produces CNC vertical machining centers, horizontal machining centers, CNC lathes, and rotary products – CEO and Founder Gene Haas, to support the needs of the local community through grants.

The Gene Haas Foundation remains a manufacturing Champion of the Hudson Valley and beyond.

In its role the Gene Haas Foundation has been a driving force in supporting our high school, BOCES, community colleges and Universities throughout the Hudson Valley. To date, over $7 million have been distributed to our schools within the Hudson Valley.

The Gene Haas Foundation is instrumental in promoting the Haas Technical Education Community (HTEC) throughout the United States and Europe. The HTEC organization brings schools together to focus on technical education programs and best practices, and within the Hudson Valley many schools are HTEC members.