Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association (CMMA) is honored to recognize the Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa (BBE) School District and Superintendent Patrick Walsh as the 2019 CMMA Collaborator of the Year. This award recognizes a supporting member of CMMA, a non-manufacturer, for outstanding contributions, leadership, and achievements. Primary consideration is given to business and professional contributions to CMMA over the last year, including committee involvement, event involvement and leadership.   

Superintendent Walsh is an active and valued member the CMMA Board of Directors and diligently serves on the organization’s Workforce Development Committee.  Walsh has been instrumental in developing and implementing advancements in career and technical education (CTE) at both BBE School and at CMMA. Throughout his career, Walsh has been a strong advocate for business mentorships and a beacon to local businesses and manufacturers in an effort to create work study opportunities, internships, and enhanced learning opportunities for students.

Superintendent Walsh created and delivered the first CMMA Manufacturing CTE Jamboree in November 2019, with some 150 people in attendance. By design, this groundbreaking event gathered, engaged, and inspired local educators and manufacturers to create a shared vision to prompt young people to explore, prepare for and seek careers in advanced manufacturing.

Patrick’s intentions and initiatives to improve the public's image of manufacturing and to influence schools, parents, and guidance counselors to embrace manufacturing careers are critical to the accomplishment of CMMA’s workforce development goals.

Congratulations to Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Schools and to Superintendent Patrick Walsh. CMMA appreciates your significant commitment and innovation in support of our thriving, results driven organization.