In 1988, when WIRE-Net set up shop to serve as an advocate for manufacturers, business was booming. Cleveland's industrial landscape was dotted with plants and factories that, while diverse in nature, all shared the same issues and concerns: Security, job training, technical assistance, infrastructure improvement, and maneuvering through bureaucratic mazes.

In August WIRE-Net will begin its search for a new leader as President and Executive Director John Colm announced he will retire in January 2019 after leading the organization for 32 years. His announcement came as part of his speech at the Annual Meeting on Thursday, April 26^th.