The Industrial Fasteners Institute (IFI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kenneth J. McCreight as the association’s new Managing Director. The IFI Board of Directors announced the selection following a considered and comprehensive search for a leader who understands the invaluable contributions the fastener industry makes to North American economy, and who can provide direction, motivation and new energy to the mission of the fastener industry association.

Ken McCreight, is coming to IFI from the Cleveland-based Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network (MAGNET), and previously served as an industry advocate for manufacturing organizations as Vice President of the National Tooling and Machining Association. Before entering the association world, he was involved in developing Workforce & Economic Development initiatives at both Cuyahoga Community College and North Central State College in Ohio. He has a bachelor’s degree in Applied Technology Education and a master’s degree in Technology from Bowling Green State University.

McCreight stated, “I am honored to be asked to serve as the IFI’s next Managing Director. Virtually all my professional life has been dedicated to the service of others, and this will be a capstone in my career. Throughout the process of working with the recruiter and the search committee, it was quite clear to me that IFI is a high-quality organization with a culture of teamwork and collaboration, and a community of members that cares a lot about the organization and its mission.”  

The selection of McCreight comes eight months after the outgoing IFI Managing Director, Rob Harris, announced his planned retirement. McCreight is expected to officially start on Nov. 27th. Harris will end his tenure with IFI at the end of this year, meaning there will be a roughly one-month overlap during the transition. Harris will serve in a supporting role during that time to help with the onboarding responsibilities.

“Early this year, when I announced my intention to retire, it was important to me and the Board of Directors that we establish a process that would allow for the selection of a worthy and capable leader, and a smooth transition so that IFI could continue its important work without missing a beat,” said Harris, who took the reins at IFI twenty-two years ago. “I think we have succeeded in that goal. I love the IFI’s mission and its membership, and I feel confident that I am leaving this incredible organization in good hands.”

IFI Chairman, Preston Boyd, who also led the Executive Search Committee, was enthusiastic about the search process and the final selection. “We were looking for a proven association leader, and we have found such a person in Ken McCreight.”

“We are especially pleased that he has a proven track record in association membership growth, has success in workforce development, apprenticeship programs, and that he possesses exceptional skills in strategic thinking and team building. We also recognized the value of his background and manufacturing experience will bring to our membership.”

About IFI

Industrial Fasteners Institute is a trade association of leading North American fastener manufacturers and suppliers of materials, machinery, equipment and/or engineered services. Founded in 1931, IFI members combine their resources to seek solutions that advance fastener application engineering.