MHI announced the 2015 Innovation and Young Professional Award winners at their 70th Anniversary Celebration during ProMat 2015. Michael Romano, President and CEO of Associated, a provider of integrated supply chain solutions, was recognized with the MHI 2015 Young Professional Network Mentor Award. This award is given to an MHI member who offers professional guidance, instills and nurtures talent, advocates for employees and their professional development, possesses a commitment to the company and its people, and serves as a positive and inspiring role model. As a 35-year veteran of the material handling industry Mike has spent his career making significant contributions to every organization he has been associated with and has mentored countless leaders along the way. Additionally, Mike has been a driving force behind the industry’s initiative to gain a higher level of visibility among new talent. He has done this through his participation on the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association’s (MHEDA) Board of Directors, Executive Committee and serving as their President in 2002. Additionally he has served on The College Industry Council of Material Handling Education Foundation (CICMHE) and MHI’s Education Foundation Board of Directors. He has also developed partnerships with prominent universities including Loyola University, Northern Illinois University and Robert Morris University. All of these partnerships were designed to provide students with an enriched educational experience while also introducing future business leaders to the value the Material Handling and Supply Chain Industries offer. As an industry leader, Mike continually encourages the development, use and sharing of best practices and inspires other companies to do the same. That is why his expertise is often called upon to author articles for trade publications or to serve as a keynote speaker at industry events. He subscribes to the selfless mentality that if the industry is viewed as providing a […]