FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2024
Illinois Manufacturers’ Association Welcomes New Board Members
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) has named four new members drawn from various sectors of the industry to its Board of Directors, further strengthening its advocacy efforts on behalf of manufacturers across the state.
“I am proud to welcome these manufacturing leaders to our Board of Directors. The diversity of their expertise and deep understanding of the industry will help us advance our goals of growing jobs and investment in Illinois, furthering our mission of boldly moving makers forward,” said Mark Denzler, President and CEO of the IMA.
The new board members for the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association are:
Wes Gardocki (Termax): Gardocki is the CEO at Termax Corporation, a manufacturing and engineering company specializing in metal, plastic and rubber fastening systems headquartered in Lake Zurich. A seasoned manufacturing professional with family roots in the industry, Gardocki started his career as a machine operator at the age of 18.
A former Plant Manager at KL Industries, Gardocki joined Termax in 2002 as Vice President of Operations, contributing to the growth and success of the company before being named CEO in 2020. With over two decades of service to the company and the manufacturing industry at large, he has broad experience navigating the ever-dynamic landscape of the industry.
Aneesa Muthana (Pioneer Services): Muthana is the CEO and Co-Owner of both Pioneer Service Inc., a maker of quality precision turned parts, and M&M Quality Grinding Inc., which provides bar processing services for the medical, aerospace, military and industrial sectors.
With decades of experience in the manufacturing industry, Muthana contributes regularly to industry publications on a variety of topics and serves on several boards including the National Association of Manufacturing. She served as President of Precision Machined Products Association from 2021 to 2022 and has won numerous awards for her leadership in the industry including the Manufacturing Institute’s STEP Ahead Award, Crain’s Notable Woman in Manufacturing and the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago’s Muslim Achiever Award. She is an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion.
Kristin Givens (State Farm): Givens is an experienced legislative, regulatory and litigation attorney and Counsel at State Farm, where she manages the company’s public policy strategy, leading a team of lawyers to drive public policy in numerous jurisdictions. Over the years, she has served as a key member of the company’s employee engagement committee, the pro bono/volunteer committee and the diversity and inclusion committee. Prior to her current role, she was one of the first attorneys to work as a legal talent recruiter for Baker and Daniels (currently known as Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP) and she served as the City of Indianapolis’s first Community City Prosecutor, representing the City in the prosecution and defense of civil claims.
Givens has served on the board of directors of several civic organizations, including as Chair of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators Corporate Round Table, Secretary, Opening Doors, LLC., which is devoted to providing dance for at-risk youth, and as a member of the Cabrini Green Legal Aid Board. She earned her Juris Doctor (JD) degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School and a bachelors’ degree in Afro-American Studies, Criminal Justice and Psychology from Indiana University, Bloomington.
Matt Totsch (Trim Tex): Totsch is the Chief Financial Officer at Trim Tex, a Chicago-based manufacturer of sustainable vinyl drywall corner beads and drywall solutions. He joined Trim-Tex in 2020 and oversees the finance team, as well as the IT and sourcing teams. He also serves on the executive and product development teams, contributing to the company’s learning culture. Totsch has a passion for manufacturing and is not only a CFO but a transformative force, driving innovation, collaboration, and financial success across the company.
Totsch earned his accounting degree and CPA certificate from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. He is the Treasurer for Union Ridge Cemetery, an Eagle Scout and an Elder at Northminster Church. He lives in Evanston with his wife, Kelle, and their two children.
About the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA)
The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association is the only statewide association dedicated exclusively to advocating, promoting and strengthening the manufacturing sector in Illinois. The IMA is the oldest and largest state manufacturing trade association in the United States, representing nearly 4,000 companies and facilities. For more information, visit https://ima-net.org/
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