News & Insights

We’re changing the narrative of the manufacturing industry one story at a time. CMTA’s award-winning storytelling team showcases California’s 30,000 manufacturers by uplifting the voices of our makers. Find industry news and the stories from those “Making California” below. 

Fourth-Generation Walnut Manufacturer Joins CMTA

Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) proudly welcomes Grower Direct Nut Co., a leader in the walnut industry with a rich history in sustainable farming and innovative processing techniques, as a new member of the...

PG&E and Acena Consulting Join CMTA as Associate Members

Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) is proud to welcome two new associate members, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and Acena Consulting to the association. Both companies bring significant expertise that...

CMTA Sponsors City of Fremont’s 13th Annual Manufacturing Week

Fremont, Calif. – In recognition of National Manufacturing Day on Oct. 4, the City of Fremont hosted its 13th annual celebration of Manufacturing Week from Oct. 8 to Oct. 14. Sponsored by the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA), the weeklong...

2024 MakingCA Conference Recap

Innovation in Manufacturing: Bridging the Gap Between Tradition & Technology 100 people joined CMTA to celebrate California’s 30,000 manufacturers during the 2nd Annual MakingCA Conference on Friday, October, 18, 2024. Speakers included CEO of People’s First Beef...

Press Release

The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) Elects New Chair and Secretary of the Board of Directors

Nov 1, 2024

Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) proudly announces that effective January 1, 2025, Margo Parks will lead the association as Chairperson of the Board of Directors. Adrian Guerrero will serve alongside Parks and assume the role of Secretary, also in the new year.

Parks has served on the CMTA Board for more than three years, assuming the role of Secretary in October 2022. Parks is the Senior Associate Director, State Government Affairs for Boehringer Ingelheim since August 2021. Parks has been a steady force in moving the association forward.

“I am honored to lead the CMTA as Chair and look forward to continuing moving the needle in the right direction for our state’s manufacturers,” said Margo Parks. “Now is the time to invest in our workforce, and we will continue to confront many policy challenges our manufacturers face. I am committed to being a leader for the association to achieve a better business environment for the state’s 30,000 makers.”

Margo Parks, Incoming Chairperson of the CMTA Board of Directors & Senior Associate Director, State Government Affairs for Boehringer Ingelheim

Prior to joining Boehringer Ingelheim, Parks was a lobbyist at the Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA), where she worked on a range of policy issues impacting the oil and gas industry. Prior to working at WSPA, Parks worked at Political Solutions, has been employed by the California Cattlemen’s Association, and is an alumnus of the California Senate Fellows program.

Parks will succeed the outgoing Chair, Steve Konig, whose term expires this year. Konig has served on the Board since 2015.

“I’ve worked closely with Margo over the years as a board member and within the Capitol space and I am excited to see her succeed in this role,” said Steve Konig, current Chairman of the Board, and Director of Government and Public Affairs, West Region at Marathon Petroleum Corporation. “Manufacturers are currently facing an uphill battle in the Legislature and at local levels. Our board and association are in capable hands to guide us in the right direction to keep manufacturing here in California.”

Adrian Guerrero joined the CMTA Board of Directors in 2020, quickly stepping into an active role in the association. Guerrero has spent the last 12 years rising the ranks at Union Pacific Railroad, where he currently serves as the Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs for the West.

“I am honored to be elected and look forward to taking a larger leadership role as Secretary for the association,” said Adrian Guerrero. “Manufacturers are the livelihood of California’s economy, and it is imperative to continue shaping critical infrastructure that will aid their development in the state.”

Adrian Guerrero, Incoming Secretary of the CMTA Board of Directors & Assistant Vice President, Public Affairs for the West for Union Pacific Railroad

Prior to joining Union Pacific Railroad, Guerrero worked in Chicago as Assistant Commissioner at the Department of Aviation and as Assistant to the Mayor.

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About CMTA

The California Manufacturers & Technology Association has advocated for pro-growth laws and regulations before the California legislature and administrative agencies since 1918. The total output from manufacturing in California is $300 billion per year, roughly 10 percent of the total economic output of the state. Manufacturers employ 1.3 million Californians paying wages more than $25,000 higher than other non-farm employers in the state. For more information, visit CMTA’s website.

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