Wyoming Machine receives W.O. Lawton Business Leadership Award

Stacy, Minn.-based precision metal fabricator Wyoming Machine has announced that sisters Lori and Traci Tapani, co-presidents of the company, have accepted the W.O. Lawton Business Leadership Award from the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB).

The annual award honors one large and one small business or organization committing time, money, and leadership to enhance their community’s workforce and economy. The award also salutes the recipients’ partnership with their local workforce development board.

The sisters’ commitment to training and developing workforce skills in manufacturing is frequently acknowledged. They not only develop new ways to train current employees, but they also create and participate in many programs to interest youth and young women throughout the region—and beyond—in manufacturing.

NAWB President and CEO Ron Painter noted, “Wyoming Machine Inc., has been an essential partner to the Washington County Workforce Development Board in building a pipeline of skilled workers for manufacturing jobs throughout the region. From building partnerships with local colleges and technical schools, to securing Department of Labor education grants to fund customized training on specialized equipment, to serving on foundation boards and hosting career day events, Lori and Traci Tapani have given generously of their time and provided strong regional leadership to build manufacturing skills in Minnesota.”

Traci Tapani said, “We have grown many high school graduates and underemployed and unemployed individuals into exceptional employees who are successfully trained to operate highly technical equipment or fill leadership roles in the company. Envisioning the middle-skill job shortage, many years ago we began reaching out to youth and girls, in particular, to enlighten them about today’s manufacturing environment and the good-paying jobs awaiting them.”