Janice Christiansen, president of J.C. Schultz, The Flag Source in Batavia, Illinois, has been elected Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Illinois Manufacturers' Association (IMA). Christiansen is the first woman to be elected chairman of the venerable 116-year old organization. She succeeds Ron Bullock of Bison Gear and Engineering of St. Charles, Illinois who chaired the IMA in 2008 and 2009.
"The election of Janice Christiansen to the chairmanship reflects the growing number of women who have ascended to head manufacturing companies across the U.S., " said Greg Baise, IMA president and CEO. "Janice is a testament to the tenacious battles women have fought to not only smash the glass ceiling that had prevented them from entering the top echelons of business, but to lead companies of all sizes and in all sectors with distinction."
Christiansen is the only woman president of a full line flag and banner manufacturing company in the U.S. Born in Springfield, Illinois, she grew up in Chicago. She graduated from Michigan State University and attended DePaul Law School while working in the notes receivable department of Walter E. Heller Commercial Finance. After joining J.C. Schultz, The Flag Source in 1975, she worked in various leadership capacities following the untimely death of her husband in 1985 becoming company President in 1990, a title she has held for two decades. J.C. Schultz, The Flag Source employs 70 workers.
Christiansen is the recipient of numerous awards including the George Washington Award for excellence in her industry in 2004. She has also received the LUCI award for Women in Business in 1998 and the Manufacturing Counts award from IIT and Chicago Manufacturing Center in 1999.
"Manufacturers in Illinois are facing truly challenging times," says Christiansen. "From an economy that threatens the very existence of many manufacturers to a state legislature that continues to spend money it doesn't have and a federal government bent on treating American businesses as an endless source of money. It's clear our work is cut out for us.
"The IMA will continue to be the voice of Illinois business in Springfield. We will work with lawmakers to make Illinois a destination economy for manufacturers and restore Illinois' reputation as an international leader in manufacturing."
The Illinois Manufacturers' Association is the oldest and largest association focusing on the needs of manufacturers in the nation comprised of more than 4,000 members. The IMA is a leading voice in Illinois opposing new spending programs that result in more imbalance to the state's precarious budget; encouraging implementation of substantive policies that strengthen the Illinois economy by creating fair and predictable tax policy that allows and encourages job creation and creates balance between environmental regulation and concerns while not constraining the ability of manufacturers to compete in the global economy.
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