PHOENIX, Feb. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --Natalie Genova, project manager for Air Force Performance-Based Logistics Programs for Honeywell Aerospace, was recently recognized by The Manufacturing Institute, Deloitte, University of Phoenix and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers with a "Women in Manufacturing STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering and Production) Award" for her excellence and leadership in manufacturing. Genova joins 121 other woman honorees, representing all levels of manufacturing from the factory floor to executive leadership.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080425/LAF040LOGO)

"We are thrilled that Natalie's contributions to Honeywell were recognized by this important new initiative," said DonnaLee Scaggs, vice president, Global Strategy and Integration, Honeywell Aerospace. "Natalie knows how to consistently get great results in her core job. But beyond that, she does an outstanding job of developing new manufacturing talent. During the last two years she has helped develop a best-in-class on-boarding, training and development program that engages our full team and connects to many other functions both within and outside of the Honeywell integrated supply chain."

"These 122 women are the faces of exciting careers in manufacturing," said Jennifer McNelly, president, The Manufacturing Institute. "We chose to honor these women because they each made significant achievements in manufacturing through positive impact on their companies and the industry as a whole."

The STEP Awards are part of the larger STEP Ahead initiative launched by The Manufacturing Institute, Deloitte, University of Phoenix and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers to examine and promote the role of women in the manufacturing industry through recognition, research and best practices for attracting, advancing and retaining strong female talent.

"The STEP Ahead initiative was founded to change perceptions of the manufacturing industry and create new opportunities for women in the sector," said Latondra Newton, group vice president at Toyota Motor North America Inc. and chairwoman of the STEP Ahead initiative. "This initiative is the call for action to transform the face of today's manufacturing talent and ensure that women can contribute to the future of this industry."

A 2011 survey from Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute found that nearly 70 percent of American manufacturing companies have a moderate to severe shortage of available, qualified workers. Manufacturing companies cannot fill as many as 600,000 skilled positions, even as unemployment numbers hover at historically high levels. In addition, labor statistics show that women are underrepresented in the manufacturing workforce and in manufacturing leadership ranks a situation that must be reversed to preserve and grow the industry.

On Feb. 5, The Manufacturing Institute and its STEP Ahead initiative partners recognized the 122 recipients of the STEP Awards at a reception in Washington, D.C. The STEP Awards program highlighted each honoree's story, including her leadership and accomplishments in manufacturing.

About The Manufacturing Institute

The Manufacturing Institute (the Institute) is the 501 (c) 3 affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. As a non-partisan organization, the Institute is committed to delivering leading-edge information and services to the nation's manufacturers. The Institute is the authority on the attraction, qualification, and development of world-class manufacturing talent. Visit http://www.themanufacturinginstitute.org

Read the original here:

Honeywell Aerospace Employee Recognized with Women in Manufacturing STEP Award