Future Leaders in Manufacturing (FLM) Committee

Our Future Leaders in Manufacturing committee (formerly Vanguard Committee) continues that tradition by providing young professionals an opportunity to drive fresh, new ideas to the Spring and Metalstamping community. Contact the Future Leaders in Manufacturing Committee Chair Jake Youmans at youj@ctspring.com to join us!

Interested in a manufacturing career?

Contact NESMA at info@nesma-usa.com

NESMA Job
Connections

Considering a career in manufacturing?

Join NESMA Job Connections! Apply online and we will match your request with available job positions among our members.. Learn more

Internship
Opportunities

Looking for internship opportunities?

We help connecting students with internship opportunities among business members and get trained for jobs in manufacturing.. Learn more

Apprenticeship
Program

The Manufacturing Innovation Fund Apprenticeship Program

The fund provides financial assistance to CT manufacturers that have a Registered Apprentice Program. Learn more

Committee Members

Jake Youmans, Chair

Jacob (Jake) Youmans began his career at Connecticut Spring & Stamping while still in high school, and he has no plans of leaving his family’s company. Jake earned his B.A. in Business and Psychology at Bryant University while continuing to work at CSS during school vacations and throughout the four summers.

During his first two years full-time, after having spent his early years in the Information Systems Department, Jake has worked alongside loyal and skilled colleagues in many departments to become as knowledgeable in as many facets of the manufacturing business as possible in preparation for possible management roles.

Connecticut Spring is a leading international manufacturer of precision springs and metal shaped solutions that have been a strategic supplier of custom springs, progressive stampings, fine blanked stampings, machined components, and assemblies for nearly 80 years.

Janina Bracht, Member

Anthony Califano, Member

Angela De Angelo, Member

Kellie Geissler, Member

Brendan Schuch, Member

Born in New Britain, it brings me great pride at being the Vice President of Sales at Acme Monaco Corporation, a family owned company that is headquartered in that very city. I’ve had the pleasure of working at the company for 9 years in various roles and have been thankful for the opportunities offered to grow professionally within the company.

After graduating from high school, I attended Providence College to pursue history and finance degrees. The next step of my academic career was spending two years overseas in Germany to achieve a Master’s Degree in International Studies. Those years away at college and studying overseas were a valuable learning experience that I reflect on to this day. Although I did not bring any technical background when I first interviewed at Acme Monaco, the company offers great training as well as hands-on experiences that allowed me to quickly be brought up to speed on our manufacturing capabilities and strengths.

Being a part of a multi-faceted team also allows me the opportunity to consult with the experts at the company in a professional environment that encourages open cross-departmental communication and cooperation that greatly aides in the company’s success. As one of the key employees at the company who is constantly in close communication with clients and colleagues, the confidence in providing them with valuable support while strengthening the relationship is a rewarding aspect of the position.

It is a true pleasure to work hand in hand daily with our customers as a team to see their projects grow from the ground up to reach market success! Most importantly, it gives me great satisfaction to be involved in an essential and respected industry that is known for its clean, reliable, and safe workplace environment while also offering members the opportunity to professionally develop and grow their skills. In my free time, I enjoy honing my culinary skills and staying active by playing ice hockey.

I’d be happy to answer any questions about myself, Acme Monaco as well as the industry – please email me at bschuch@acmemonaco.com.

Brian Zimmerli, Member

Born and raised in Glastonbury, CT, my manufacturing career started very early on. Being in a 3rd generation family business, I started working during the summers in high school loading parts on conveyors and learning from the ground up. Eventually working full-time I started as quality assurance. Then moving into a sales position gaining relationships with customers. Until I moved into a management position. Plastonics is a metal finishing job shop specializing in Powder Coatings. We have the ability to coat 1 part or 1 million. Plastonics is proud to be one of the first Powder Coating shops in the USA being in business over 60 years. brian@plastonics.com