Leadership

This week, OMA President Ryan Augsburger joined a panel hosted by the Columbus Metropolitan Club on energy demand and generation in Ohio.

Augsburger was joined by Todd Snitchler, President and CEO of Electric Power Supply Association, Former Ohio Consumers’ Counsel Janine Migden-Ostrander, and Kenny McDonald, President and CEO of One Columbus.

The discussion covered the economic development of Ohio, what that growth means for Ohio’s grid, and Ohio is attracting additional generation. Augsburger emphasized that Ohio is in a strong position to meet energy demands of the future, highlighting the abundant natural resources and strong economic development in the state.

“It’s not a vision of scarcity and crisis, it is a vision of growth, investment, and abundance, which will lead us to continued competitive advantage,” Augsburger said. 3/19/2025

During his State of the State Address last week, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine recognized Drew Corbitt, son of OMA Board Vice-Chair Scott Corbitt, for his work during high school at the Tolles Career & Technical Center, which helped Drew gain a paid internship at Hikma Pharmaceutical Company.

His work at Tolles and internship inspired his choice to study chemical engineering at the University of Cincinnati. 3/12/2025

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine delivered his State of the State address this past Wednesday in Columbus.

DeWine highlighted new manufacturing job opportunities across Ohio, such as drone manufacturer Andruil, highlighting that the state has produced over 81,000 private sector jobs.

DeWine also laid out his plan for newly appointed Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, who will take the lead in developing a “workforce playbook” to help grow jobs around Ohio. Tressel will work with schools and businesses to identify and meet Ohio’s workforce needs.

The OMA praised the Governor’s commitment to manufacturing and workforce development in a statement, recognizing that much work still needs to be done to meet Ohio’s future workforce needs.

“Ohio has a strong economy but is faced with the challenge of finding skilled workers to fill all the jobs that are available. Governor DeWine understands this well, and manufacturers are glad to see that focus continue,” said OMA President Ryan Augsburger. 3/12/2025

In the past week, Republican political newcomer Vivek Ramaswamy bagged a key conservative endorsement and reported impressive campaign activity.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that the Ohio Center for Christian Virtue endorsed Hindu Ramaswamy over Attorney General Dave Yost, the only other declared Republican contender.

NBC News reports that Ramaswamy’s campaign raised $1 million in its first two weeks. The story also previews a paid video advertisement airing now. 3/13/2025

During the State of the Union address last week, President Donald Trump expressed disappointment with the federal CHIPS Act, which appropriated investment in domestic semiconductor fabrication. The President called on Congress to end the program and instead use dedicated spending on debt reduction rather than industrial policy.

U.S. Senator Jon Husted expressed continued support for the CHIPS Act. Like Husted, the OMA has supported the CHIPS Act, which was critical to Intel’s selection of central Ohio for its new fabrication, a site still under construction, albeit delayed.

Meanwhile, Intel this week named a permanent leadership team to guide the company forward. Reuters reports that the installation of Lip-Bu Tan as CEO signals the chipmaker was unlikely to split up its chip-design and manufacturing operations. Investors have rallied following the news, driving Intel’s market value up more than 10%. 3/13/2025

This week, the OMA Board of Directors held its Q1 meeting to discuss key OMA priorities, receive updates from staff, and hold elections for board committees.

OMA staff briefed the board on a variety of issues, including breaking updates to the Ohio Senate’s energy bill (see the Energy section below), speculation on Ohio’s 2026 Gubernatorial election, and progress on the OMA’s various workforce development programs. 3/4/2025

Following her retirement from the ScottsMiracle-Gro company, Aimee DeLuca passed the treasurer’s green visor to Brent Rosebrook of PRO-TEC this week. DeLuca had served as OMA Treasurer since 2019, guiding the Board’s finance policies through the pandemic and the following period of growth.

“Aimee has been an active OMA leader for more than two decades. She will be missed by her colleagues on the board and by the staff, but her contributions will serve the Association well for years to come,” said OMA President Ryan Augsburger. “We also enthusiastically thank Brent Rosebrook for stepping up following his election by the board,” he concluded. 3/4/2025

In a much-anticipated event, entrepreneur and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy officially launched his campaign for Governor of Ohio this week.

The OMA was represented at Ramaswamy’s Columbus kickoff event, where he outlined his vision for the Buckeye State.

“We’re in the middle of a second Industrial Revolution right now,” Ramaswamy said. “I believe deep in my bones that Ohio can lead the way again.”

Ramaswamy, who had already raked in several major endorsements from elected officials in Ohio, received the endorsement from President Donald Trump mere moments after announcing his campaign on Monday.

“The OMA looks forward to building opportunities for manufacturers to meet and get to know Mr. Ramaswamy in the coming months,” said OMA President Ryan Augsburger. Stay tuned to the OMA’s Government Affairs communications for future details.

Ramaswamy is set to face Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and former Morgan County Board of Education president Heather Hill in the May 2026 primary. 2/24/2025

This week, the OMA held its first Government Affairs Committee of 2025. Manufacturers were joined by Senate President Rob McColley, who outlined several of his key legislative priorities, including energy reform, workforce development, career technical training, and keeping Ohio’s brightest students in state for both college and post-graduation.

Director Kimberly Murnieks from the Ohio Office of Budget and Management also joined the committee, presenting on Gov. Mike DeWine’s key state budget priorities.

OMA members also heard a presentation from OSU Economist Dr Edward (Ned) Hill, who detailed how the Trump administration tariffs will affect Ohio’s manufacturing industry. 2/27/2025

This week, Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, and JobsOhio President J.P. Nauseef announced that First Quality Tissue will invest $984 million for a new towel and tissue production facility in Defiance.

The investment, according to state leaders, is the largest singular investment and job creation project in the county’s history, creating more than 400 jobs and $22.5 million in annual payroll by 2032. 2/24/2025

Earlier this month, Consul General of Canada Colin Bird met with OMA staff to discuss the the impact Ohio manufacturers have on the Canadian economy.

According to the Consulate General, Canada is Ohio’s top export market, exporting nearly $22 billion in goods annually. Top manufacturing goods to Canada include motor vehicle parts, engines and turbines, and various iron and steel products. 2/14/2025

This week, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) launched their 2025 State of Manufacturing tour at Armstrong World Industries in Hilliard, OH. NAM selected Ohio as their kickoff location based on the leadership and strength of Ohio’s manufacturing industry.

NAM President Jay Timmons along with OMA President Ryan Augsburger, NAM Board Chair and Johnson & Johnson Executive Vice President Kathy Wengel, and Armstrong World Industries General Counsel Austin So, were joined by Ohio manufacturing leaders, including Johnson & Johnson, Humtown Products, Sugar Creek, OPC Polymers/Yenkin-Majestic, among many others.

Later, NAM held a press conference at the Ohio Statehouse, where they were joined by state officials and Ohio manufacturers, including Humtown Products CEO and OMA Boardmember Mark Lamoncha, who emphasized the need to preserve the 2017 tax reforms that served as “rocket fuel” for the industry. 2/18/2025

Entrepreneur and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is expected to launch his gubernatorial campaign early next week.

The 39-year-old biotech entrepreneur, who filed his paperwork to run late last week, would join Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost in the GOP primary race to succeed term-limited Gov. Mike DeWine. Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague was expected to run, but he changed course and endorsed Ramaswamy, along with Secretary of State Frank LaRose, earlier this month. 2/20/2025

Former President of Youngstown State University and Ohio State football head coach Jim Tressel has been confirmed as Ohio’s next Lt. Governor.

Tressel, who was nominated by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine earlier this week, fills the vacancy left by Senator Jon Husted, who was appointed by DeWine late last year. The OMA praised Tressel’s nomination in a statement, highlighting his extensive experience in workforce development.

Tressel, 72, retired as president of Youngstown State University in 2023. He spent 10 years as head football coach for the Ohio State Buckeyes, winning the national championship in 2002.

DeWine and Tressel sat down with 10TV after the nomination to discuss their priorities over the next two years, including growing Ohio’s workforce and educating students. 2/12/2025

In what is being called a game of “musical chairs,” candidates are shifting and relaunching their campaigns for various statewide cabinet positions in Ohio.

As reported last week, Treasurer Robert Sprague bowed out of Ohio’s gubernatorial race, aiming to become Ohio’s next Secretary of State. This week, former State Senator Niraj Antani followed suit, suspending his campaign for Ohio’s chief elections officer and relaunching for state treasurer. He will be challenged by State Senator Kristina Roegner, who announced her bid for treasurer early Thursday morning.

Vivek Ramaswamy, while having yet to formally announce his campaign for governor, raked in another endorsement from Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, who is running for state auditor in 2026.

The OMA will cover these shifts and more at the Government Affairs Committee on Feb. 27, featuring Senate President Rob McColley and Office of Budget and Management Director Kimberly Murnieks. 2/12/2025

This week, the state legislature authorized a 15-year extension of JobsOhio’s franchise over the state’s liquor enterprise, recognizing its critical role in fostering manufacturing growth.

The OMA advocated to support the move, noting that JobsOhio has been instrumental in attracting major manufacturing investments, providing workforce training, and supporting site development. This extension ensures JobsOhio’s long-term financial stability, allowing Ohio to remain competitive in securing high-impact industrial projects and strengthening its position as a manufacturing leader. 2/12/2025

On January 30, 2025, the Eighth District Court of Appeals issued the first appellate court decision involving the noneconomic damage caps applicable to medical malpractice claims. The noneconomic damage cap statute at issue has been on the books since 2003 and is one of the most important pillars of tort reform.

In a case involving cataract surgery and loss of vision, the court of appeals held that the $500,000 cap on noneconomic damages was unconstitutional under the “due course of law” clause in the Ohio Constitution, allowing the plaintiff to recover $1.48M in noneconomic damages. The case is likely to be appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court.  2/12/2025

Last month, the OMA’s Lindsey Short, who also chairs the Ohio Alliance for Civil Justice, along with Tiger Joyce, president of the American Tort Reform Association co-authored an op-ed in the Cleveland Plain Dealer praising the 2024 Ohio Supreme Court decision that public nuisance law does not apply to product liability.

In the piece, Short and Joyce point out that profit-motivated trial lawyers have pushed to expand laws originally intended to address issues involving land use and public spaces into various industries, including pharmaceuticals, PFAS, vaping, and even climate change, creating a legal free-for-all ultimately benefiting only themselves. 2/12/2025

Over the last several weeks, the OMA has released the dates for the 2025 Committee Meetings.

Members — like you — work together through OMA policy committees to establish the OMA’s agenda, which guides the organization’s work with the General Assembly, regulatory agencies, workforce, and the judiciary.

The OMA’s policy committee meetings are where members articulate obstacles and create strategies to improve Ohio manufacturing competitiveness.

You don’t have to attend a meeting to be involved. However, these meetings provide another way to boost your engagement in Ohio’s manufacturing community and interact with decision-makers whose actions impact your business. There is no additional cost to join OMA policy committees.

You can register for OMA’s 2025 policy committee meetings from this web page. We look forward to seeing you soon! 2/5/2025

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) is surveying industry leaders to assess the potential effects of President Trump’s proposed tariffs on U.S. manufacturing operations. OMA members are encouraged to participate in this survey and support NAM’s federal advocacy efforts by providing accurate data to inform national policymakers.

This topic will also be addressed at OMA’s Feb. 27 Government Affairs Committee meeting, featuring key Ohio policymakers, with an exclusive OMA PAC Manufacturers’ Evening Dinner the night before offering direct engagement with House Speaker Matt Huffman. 2/5/2025