MHI announced the 2015 Innovation and Young Professional Award winners at their 70th Anniversary Celebration during ProMat 2015.
Michael Romano, President and CEO of Associated, a provider of integrated supply chain solutions, was recognized with the MHI 2015 Young Professional Network Mentor Award. This award is given to an MHI member who offers professional guidance, instills and nurtures talent, advocates for employees and their professional development, possesses a commitment to the company and its people, and serves as a positive and inspiring role model.
As a 35-year veteran of the material handling industry Mike has spent his career making significant contributions to every organization he has been associated with and has mentored countless leaders along the way.
Additionally, Mike has been a driving force behind the industry’s initiative to gain a higher level of visibility among new talent. He has done this through his participation on the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association’s (MHEDA) Board of Directors, Executive Committee and serving as their President in 2002. Additionally he has served on The College Industry Council of Material Handling Education Foundation (CICMHE) and MHI’s Education Foundation Board of Directors.
He has also developed partnerships with prominent universities including Loyola University, Northern Illinois University and Robert Morris University. All of these partnerships were designed to provide students with an enriched educational experience while also introducing future business leaders to the value the Material Handling and Supply Chain Industries offer.
As an industry leader, Mike continually encourages the development, use and sharing of best practices and inspires other companies to do the same. That is why his expertise is often called upon to author articles for trade publications or to serve as a keynote speaker at industry events. He subscribes to the selfless mentality that if the industry is viewed as providing a higher level of strategic value, then we will all share in its success.
Devon Birch, Director of Membership at MHI and manager of the Young Professionals Network stated, “We started YPN to give the younger generation a place to network and grow their talents. One of the biggest ways that people grow is through their mentors. We gave this award to celebrate those who are giving back to the next generation. The letters Mike’s employees sent in their application were moving to read. What he has done for his company and his employees is pretty extraordinary.”
