This week, Eric Burkland announced he will retire as president of the OMA after leading the organization for 31 years. Burkland’s retirement will be effective Dec. 31. See the OMA’s press release for the full announcement. OMA Chairman Jane Neal, senior vice president at AMG Vanadium LLC, thanked Burkland for his long tenure of steady and creative leadership. She noted that the board appreciated his willingness to continue leading the OMA’s workforce development efforts. National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons said Burkland has been “an indispensable partner in advancing manufacturing in the U.S.,” calling him “one of the strongest association leaders — and advocates — that manufacturers in Ohio and America will ever know.” Manufacturing Institute Executive Director Carolyn Lee added, “Eric Burkland set a best-in-class example of association leadership in addressing the skills gap in modern manufacturing.” She said Burkland has been “a key partner in accelerating efforts to recruit and educate the next generation” of manufacturers. 12/8/2020 File Photo: OMA President Eric Burkland (left), pictured with Carolyn Lee, executive director of The Manufacturing Institute, and Jay Timmons, president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers.