October 18, 2023, Alexandria, VA — The American Gear Manufacturers Association (AGMA) announced the promotion of Jenny Blackford to the organization’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) today. In her new role, Blackford will oversee the association’s systems and processes, enterprise wide. In addition, she will have expanded roles relative to human and technology resources and investments.
“Jenny Blackford is a recognized leader within the association space, and her value to AGMA is tremendous,” said Matthew Croson, President, AGMA. “This promotion provides her space and responsibility to continue to grow AGMA’s resources to best support our members and the organization as a whole.”
Most recently, Blackford oversaw AGMA’s Business Division, which touches all of the organization’s face-to-face events, tradeshow and training, as well as outward facing communications. She joined AGMA in 2000 as the communications manager, and has added increased responsibilities over the years, including guiding AGMA’s trade show for 15 years, and being named President of the American Bearing Manufacturers Association in 2019.
“Jenny is a pragmatic, thoughtful leader who has demonstrated the ability to move strategy to execution,” added Croson. “As COO, she will bring synergy across AGMA, and align both systems and human resources to ensure member value is leveraged to its fullest.”
“I’m honored to have learned from and assisted AGMA’s members over the past two decades and am looking forward to the new challenges in this new role as COO,” said Jenny Blackford, Chief Operating Officer of AGMA. “Over the past few years, it has been exciting to see AGMA’s programs and membership grow, and I welcome the opportunity to guide AGMA’s staff to continue building on these successes in the future.”
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About AGMA
The American Gear Manufacturers Association is a voluntary association of companies, consultants and academicians with a direct interest in the design, manufacture and application of gears, couplings and related power transmission components and equipment. The members include gear manufacturers from the United States, Mexico and Canada, as well as gearing interests from more than 30 countries around the world. AGMA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute to write all U.S. standards on gearing. AGMA is also the Secretary for Technical Committee 60 of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). TC 60 is the committee responsible for developing all international gearing standards.In addition to the holding the position of Secretariat, AGMA convenes the active ISO Working Groups related to gear inspection and testing.