The Conference of State Manufacturers Association (COSMA) named New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) President and CEO Michele Siekerka as its chair.

A network of 50 state-based manufacturing partners, COSMA works closely with the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM).

Siekerka, who served as COSMA vice chair in 2023-24, will serve a two-year term as chair.

Last year, she led COSMA’s efforts to bring its annual conference to Atlantic County. That event was held last July at the Seaview in Atlantic County. In 2024, she also joined NAM’s board of directors.

“Michele’s leadership as COSMA chair is instrumental to ensuring the manufacturing community can speak with a strong and unified voice,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons in a Jan. 13 press release.

“New Jersey manufacturers share the same challenges their counterparts in other states face – workforce shortages, high interest rates that limit access to capital, global supply chain disruptions, overregulation, and government red tape that strangles growth,” said Siekerka, a leading voice on the sector here in the Garden State.

Getting in gear

In October, NJBIZ profiled Siekerka as she marked 10 years leading NJBIA.

That organization has placed a major focus and priority on supporting the state’s manufacturing sector in a number of ways. NJBIA’s efforts include close collaboration with the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP).

Last year, NJMEP passed the baton of its State of the State of Manufacturing event to NJBIA.

Siekerka takes on the COSMA role at a time of shifting politics, with a new incoming presidential administration and Congress. Locally, a gubernatorial race in New Jersey will also mean a new administration next year.

“We will continue to rely on Michele’s counsel as we work with a new Congress and administration to enact pro-growth tax and regulatory reforms that will help improve the quality of life for all Americans,” said Timmons.

Siekerka stressed, “I’m looking forward to working with all of the COSMA representatives around the country to continue the steps of advancing a competitive manufacturing agenda that promotes prosperity for the industry and beyond.”