The Georgia Manufacturing Alliance celebrated its 10th Year Anniversary on February 1st at the 57th Fighter Group Restaurant. Over 100 industry leaders from around the state came to show support for GMA and its founder Jason Moss. A special proclamation from the Governor’s office recognized the accomplishments of Mr. Moss and his organization citing that GMA “provides a unique platform for our state’s manufacturing leaders to share best practices and secure and maintain strategic partnerships.”

The Georgia Manufacturing Alliance began in 2008 with a core group of 15 manufacturers and service providers that saw a need to find local resources for their industry”, said Mr. Moss “They wanted to buy, sell and trade locally, but did not have the platform or resources to make the connections. It has been exciting to see an idea that started with scribbles on a napkin has now grown to over 260 members representing over 60,000 employees with six chapters across the state.”

Part of the proceeds from GMA’s 10th Year Anniversary went to support the Veterans Empowerment Organization which provides housing and resources for veterans in transition. VEO is GMA’s charity of choice for 2018 and Tyler Bowser, VEO Ambassador shared his testimony of finding himself homeless after returning from his service in the Airforce. He has successfully completed VEO’s Self-Sufficiency Model which focuses on taking "Invisible Veterans" off the streets of our cities and placing them into a safety net of support that provides immediate and long-term housing, treatment and recovery for addiction, healthy meals, basic necessities, clothing, as well as, medical care, mental health counseling, life-skills training and workforce development support.

Another highlight of the evening was when Lt. Colonel Rob “Waldo” Waldman, author of the NY Times and Wall Street Journal Best Seller – Never Fly Solo, addressed the group. He is a highly experienced combat veteran with over 2,650 flight hours and sixty-five real world combat missions, having flown both in Iraq enforcing the “No-Fly Zone” and in Yugoslavia during Operation Allied Force in 1999. He encouraged Georgia Manufacturing Alliance members to understand the importance of teamwork and the “wingmen and women” that are part of your support network.

“Since we have a Veterans Initiative within our organization and the focus of our Georgia Manufacturing Summit will be the aerospace industry this year, we were excited to have Tyler Bowser and Waldo Waldman at our 10th Anniversary party,” continued Mr. Moss. “Our goal is to expand our Summit and our reach as we open new chapters across the state. Our Summit is our capstone event of the year and will be held October 10th at the Cobb Galleria.”