Gerald Shankel is president and CEO of Rockford,
Ill.-based Fabricators &
Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), a professional organization
with more than 2,100 members working together to improve the metal forming and
fabricating industry. Founded in 1970, FMA brings metal fabricators and
fabricating equipment manufacturers together through technology councils,
educational programs, networking events, and the FABTECH International/AWS
Welding Show. FMA also has a technology affiliate, the Tube & Pipe
Association, International (TPA), which focuses on the unique needs of
companies engaged in tube and pipe producing and fabricating.