BCI Receives Workforce Development Honors from MAM

The Missouri Association of Manufacturers (MAM) honored Boone Center, Inc. (BCI) with their Workforce Talent Development Award at the 5th Annual Made in Missouri Leadership event held September 24 in Independence, Missouri.

MAM developed the Made in Missouri Leadership Awards to honor manufacturing companies and individual leaders who are shaping the future of manufacturing in Missouri.

The Workforce Talent Development Award recognizes companies who have created a culture of engagement and implemented programs to create a pipeline of next-generation leaders. BCI received the honor because of achievements in its Community Employment program as well as for the creation of the BCI Skills Center, a first-of-its-kind vocational training facility for people with disabilities.

BCI’s Director of Sales, Jaclyn Norono-Rodriguez, attended the event and accepted on behalf of the organization.

“It was a true honor to be among some of the most innovative manufacturers in our state,” said Jaclyn Norono-Rodriguez, BCI's Director of Sales. “The award is great encouragement as we continue our mission of creating a continuum of employment and skill-development opportunities for people with disabilities”

At the event, MAM also honored BCI with its Founder’s Award. Created in honor of MAM’s founder, the late Jack T. Gentry, this award recognizes member companies who are preserving, promoting, and advancing manufacturing while celebrating milestone anniversaries. BCI is currently celebrating its 60th year.

In addition to BCI, MAM honored 15 other Missouri companies including Cambridge Engineering, Northrup Grumman, Shapiro Metals, and Boeing Defense, Space and Security.

For more information on BCI, visit www.boonecenter.com.

About Boone Center, Inc. (BCI)

BCI works to enrich the lives of adults with disabilities and their families by providing a choice of fulfilling work along a continuum of employment opportunities. BCI was founded in 1959 by two women driven with a desire to better serve employment needs for individuals with disabilities. Today, BCI is a national advocate for disability employment. The nonprofit’s Employment Continuum Model focuses on full employment that provides ongoing support so that men and women with intellectual and developmental disabilities may gain access to job of their choice and ability. BCI employs over 300 adults with disabilities at its production facilities and through its competitive employment programs. In January 2019, BCI opened the Skills Center, a first-of-its-kind vocational training facility for people with disabilities. The Skills Center partners directly with local businesses to expand their workforce, provide new, competitive, integrated employment opportunities to those living with disabilities, and advance inclusion and diversity in our community.

About MAM (Missouri Association of Manufacturers)

The Missouri Association of Manufacturers strives to instill interest and enthusiasm among elected officials and the public in general, by advocating policy that promotes regional economic growth and worldwide competitiveness. Missouri Association of Manufacturers (MAM) serves as the manufacturer's advocate in Missouri and works to educate policy makers at all levels regarding important issues to manufacturers. MAM utilizes its strength in numbers to develop strategic partnerships and create exclusive benefit programs. The goal of each program is to offer lower pricing or greater advantages than members would be able to obtain on their own. MAM is focused on bringing manufacturers together to address common issues, challenges and to learn from one another. MAM events, conferences, workshops and networking provides a non-competitive environment for developing these beneficial relationships. For more information, visit www.MAMstrong.org.