I am honored to have been elected to the IFCA Education Foundation Board. For me, this opportunity is about more than accepting a leadership position. It is a chance to give back to an organization and an industry that have contributed significantly to my own professional growth.

IFCA—formerly known as CCAI—has provided Troy Chemical and me with valuable education, relationships, and opportunities to learn from others throughout the industrial-finishing community. Serving on the Foundation Board allows me to help create those same opportunities for the next generation.

A Leadership Journey Shaped by Others

My path into leadership was not perfectly planned. It developed as I accepted new challenges, gained practical experience, and learned from the people around me.

Industry involvement played an important role in that journey. Through professional relationships and educational opportunities, I gained knowledge and confidence that helped me grow as a leader. My experience with the Women in Finishing Forum has been especially meaningful. It provides a community where women can learn from one another, build relationships, and develop professionally.

These experiences reinforced something I believe strongly: careers are shaped not only by formal education, but also by exposure, encouragement, and hands-on experience.

Helping People See a Future in Manufacturing

Industrial finishing faces a workforce challenge. As experienced professionals approach retirement, our industry must introduce more young people, women, and others from underrepresented groups to the opportunities available in manufacturing.

Many young people have never walked through a manufacturing facility or seen a finishing line in operation. They may not realize that modern manufacturing combines chemistry, engineering, technology, quality, customer service, and complex problem-solving.

Before someone can choose a career in manufacturing, they must first be able to see themselves in one. We cannot wait for the next generation to discover these opportunities by accident. Manufacturers, suppliers, educators, and industry associations must actively open the door.

Encouragement Builds Confidence

Exposure can create interest, but encouragement helps someone believe a career is truly possible.

Mentors, teachers, employers, and industry leaders can recognize potential that a young person may not yet see. Visible role models are particularly important for women and others who may not have traditionally seen themselves represented in manufacturing leadership.

Sometimes a few encouraging words—or an invitation to take on a new challenge—can change a career’s direction.

Experience Creates a Path Forward

Inspiration opens the door, but practical experience creates a path.

Internships, camps, plant tours, mentoring, entry-level positions, and continuing education allow people to build skills and understand how the industry operates. They also reveal the variety of careers available in industrial finishing, including chemistry, engineering, technical service, quality, operations, sales, and leadership.

At Troy Chemical, we see the value of that experience every day. Supporting our customers requires more than understanding chemistry. Our team must understand what happens on the plant floor, analyze processes, and translate technical knowledge into improvements in quality, consistency, and efficiency.

That capability is built through continuous learning, hands-on experience, curiosity, strong customer relationships, and knowledge shared across generations. Supporting industry education is therefore more than community involvement for Troy. It is an investment in the people who will solve tomorrow’s manufacturing challenges.

Turning Aspirations Into Action

One message I hope to share with emerging professionals is that a goal or dream needs a plan.

You do not need to know exactly where your career will lead. Identify a first step, stay open to learning, and be willing to accept new challenges. Each experience can reveal opportunities you may not have previously imagined.

The future of industrial finishing will not be built by waiting for the next generation to discover us. We must open the doors, invite them inside, and give them the exposure, encouragement, and experience they need to build meaningful careers.

I look forward to supporting that work through the IFCA Education Foundation.

-Beth Bunton