Onaway, MI – Industrial Arts Institute (IAI), a division of Moran Iron Works (MIW), is honored to announce the key note speaker for the 7th Cohort of students of the Comprehensive Industrial Welding Course CIW 100, Mr. Robert Roth, President and CEO of RoMan Manufacturing.
Founded in 1980, RoMan Manufacturing is a second generation family business with operations in Grand Rapids, Michigan; Burlington, Ontario; and Shanghai, China. RoMan Manufacturing specializes in the design and manufacture of water cooled transformers and DC power supplies used for industrial applications such as resistance welding, glass melting and forming, plating, and furnace applications. Quality Brass, Inc. is a non-ferrous, green sand mold foundry located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. IRCO Automation of Burlington, Ontario produces specialized handling and welding automation for the heavy fabrication sectors. RoMan Manufacturing is partnered with WTC, Inc. and Shanghai Electric Company in a Chinese joint venture company, Shanghai Medar Welding Equipment Company Ltd., producing welding equipment for the China and Pacific Rim markets.
Robert (Bob) is a member of the second generation and joined the business in 1987, after his employment with the Hydra-matic Division of General Motors from 1980 until 1987. Robert graduated in 1985 from Kettering University, formerly General Motors Institute with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Administration. He was recognized by the University with its Engineering Achievement Award in 2012. Robert is also a graduate of Leadership Grand Rapids (2002) and the Institutes for Healing Racism (2004). He is married to Marcy and they have two children, Mike age 28 and Kayla age 25
Robert served as Board Chair of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce in 2004 and has served on the board of directors of Home Repair Services and the board of managers of the SE YMCA. In 2012 Robert completed eight years of service on the Priority Health Board of Directors serving as Board Chair from 2009-11. He is a founding member of the Family Business Alliance and served for eight years as a member of the Advisory Board. Concluding in 2016 Robert served his community and the citizens of Grand Rapids Township for six years as a township trustee. He currently serves such organizations as the Grand Rapids Community Foundation as a member of the Board of Trustees, the GVSU Seidman International Business Advisory Board, the Board of Directors of The Employers’ Association, the American Welding Society as a Director-at-Large and Vice President elect, and the Board of Directors of Spectrum Health, where he chairs the Governance Committee. He serves on the boards of for-profit corporations Grand Rapids Label Inc., United Bank of Michigan, Grand Transformer/Warner Power Inc., SecurAlarm Systems, and Vibration Research Corporation.
The Industrial Arts Institute graduation ceremony is Friday, December 9, 2016 at 3:30pm at the school. The public is welcome to attend. Classes are now forming for January 2017.