Kara Demirjian Huss named chair of Illinois Manufacturers’ Association

Kara Demirjian Huss has been named the new chair of the Illinois Manufacturers' Association Board of Directors, according to a community announcement.

Demirjian Huss, owner and senior vice president of global marketing, sustainability and government affairs at TCCI Manufacturing in Decatur, succeeds Renee Togher, president of Azteca Group Inc. Togher was elected chair in 2023 and will continue serving on the board.

At TCCI, Huss oversees initiatives that support onshoring, supply-chain resilience, clean-technology development, policy advancements and workforce innovation across global operations, according to the announcement. She is also founder and president of DCC Marketing, a WBENC-certified agency that partners with state and federal agencies, industry coalitions and Fortune 500 companies on manufacturing-related issues.

"Illinois is a national and global manufacturing leader thanks to the hard work of women and men on shop floors across our state as well as the impactful advocacy work of the Illinois Manufacturers' Association," Demirjian Huss said. "I look forward to building on partnerships with manufacturers throughout the state to continue championing policies that support growth, develop a modern workforce and create opportunities for generations to come."

The IMA Board leadership team also includes Tom Welge, president of Gilster-Mary Lee in Chester, as vice chair, and Keith Carman, owner and vice president of marketing and business development at StandFast Packaging in Carol Stream, as treasurer. Leadership terms are two years.

Welge leads Gilster-Mary Lee Corporation, a private-label food manufacturer producing items for major U.S. grocery chains and wholesalers. He also serves as president of St. Nicholas Brewing Co., chairs the board of Buena Vista National Bank and sits on boards for SI-NOW! Foundation and the Greater St. Louis Area Council of Scouting America.

Carman oversees marketing and business development at StandFast Packaging, a corrugated packaging manufacturer specializing in boxes, retail displays and fulfillment services, according to the annoncement. He began his career in steel industry accounting before joining the family business, helping transform StandFast into a solutions-driven packaging partner.

Also joining the board is Laura Eiklor, plant manager at ExxonMobil's Joliet Refinery. Eiklor brings 18 years of experience with ExxonMobil, including roles in manufacturing, business and plant management. She advocates for women in manufacturing and holds a chemical engineering degree from Penn State University, according to the announcement.

The Illinois Manufacturers' Association, founded in 1893, is the oldest and largest state manufacturing trade association in the U.S., representing nearly 4,000 companies and facilities.

This story was created by Dave DeMille,  ddemille@gannett.com , with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at  cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct .

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Illinois Manufacturers' Association taps Kara Demirjian Huss as chair