The Elkins-Randolph County Chamber of Commerce's quarterly meeting will focus on education programs that train local students in manufacturing skills and techniques.
The meeting is set for 11:45 a.m. Wednesday at the Randolph County Community Arts Center in Elkins.
The invited speakers are Karen Price, president of the West Virginia Manufacturers Association, and Gary Clay, Workforce and Education Development Committee chairman of the West Virginia Manufacturers.
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Price
Price's organization, the West Virginia Manufacturers Association, founded in 1915, represents the interests of manufacturers on state and federal legislation and regulatory issues, working with legislators and policymakers. In recent years, Price has been active in reform to workers' compensation, tax issues, environmental issues and education
She represents the manufacturers on the Charleston Area Medical Center Board of Directors, Division of Environmental Protection Advisory Council and serves on the executive committee of the Chemical Alliance Zone. Price also is past president of the Charleston Vandalia Rotary Club.
Clay graduated from Grove City College in Grove City, Pa., with a bachelor's degree in accounting. He spent 34 years with Armstrong World Industries in numerous executive manufacturing positions around the country and several foreign locations. He retired from Armstrong's hardwood flooring plant in Beverly in 2006 but still does consulting and special project work for the company.
Clay completed a two-year term as the chairman of the West Virginia Manufacturers Association. He is now heading a new Work Force Development and Education Committee for the association.
Clay is currently vice chairman and treasurer of the North Central West Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross and just completed his sixth year as campaign chairman for the United Way of Randolph County. He is also a member of the Randolph County Development Authority Board and the West Virginia State Board for the American Red Cross. He recently was appointed to the State Curriculum Advisory Board for Career and Technical Education.
Two educators from the Randolph Technical School also are scheduled to speak at Wednesday's meeting. Guidance counselor Chris Thompson and instructor John Daniels will talk about the school's partnership with the business community.
