Shankel Retiring from FMA, Youdell Named Successor

Gerald M. Shankel is retiring October 1 from the role he has served since 2002 as the president and chief executive officer of the this association that represents the metal forming and fabricating industry.

The Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, Intl. (FMA; Rockford, IL) announced the retirement of Gerald M. Shankel as the president and chief executive officer effective October 1. Their Board of Directors appointed Edward S. Youdell, the group publisher of FMA Communications, Inc., the organization’s publishing arm, to succeed Shankel.

Shankel will serve as president emeritus to ensure a successful transition before he leaves the organization at the end of the year. He was hired as the president and CEO of FMA in 2002. “FMA has made terrific progress under Jerry’s leadership during the past 8½ years,” said Thomas Nederpel, the chairman of the Board of Directors. “He played a vital role in the development of the strategic plan which guides the association and has strengthened our governance, our Boards and staff commitment to achieving our mission and goals.”

Youdell was promoted to vice president effective immediately and will assume the president and CEO role on October 1. He has served as group publisher of the association’s publishing affiliate since early 2007. The organization said the announcement is the next step in a comprehensive planning process initiated more than a year ago by Shankel with the executive committee of the board to ensure a thoughtful, proactive leadership succession plan.

Youdell joined FMA after serving more than 18 years in the publishing and tradeshow industries. As group publisher, he has been responsible for the publishing affiliate of FMA that serves the metal processing, forming and fabricating industries by publishing business-to-business magazines, e-newsletters, vendor directories and websites. “I have worked closely with Ed throughout his tenure here, and I believe in his ability to successfully lead with intelligence, integrity and good judgment,” said Shankel. “I am certain that he will step into his new role with a vision for the future, an abundance of energy and a focus on growing our organization’s revenue, influence and reach.”

“Spending the next six months working closely with Jerry, as well as preparing our publications team for my transition, will be an excellent launching pad for my new role,” added Youdell. “I am honored that the board has shown their confidence in me to lead the organization. Our staff are amongst the finest people that I’ve ever worked with and, together, we will achieve great things.”

Based in Rockford, FMA is a professional organization with more than 2,100 members working together to improve the metal forming and fabricating industry. Founded in 1970, this association brings metal fabricators and fabricating equipment manufacturers together through technology councils, educational programs, networking events, industry publications, and the FABTECH^® exposition. The organization also has a technology affiliate, the Tube & Pipe Association, International (TPA), which focuses on the unique needs of companies engaged in tube and pipe producing and fabricating.

www.fmanet.org