We are pleased to announce the 2023 inductees for the Manufacturers Wall of Fame. Jackie Ferrari, Founder and CEO of American Fashion Network and Mike Wetzel, President and CEO of Air Innovations will be inducted and honored at MACNY’s 110th Annual Celebration of Manufacturing on May 11, 2023 at the SRC Arena & Events Center in Syracuse, NY. Jackie and Mike’s accomplishments will be celebrated by MACNY members and community leaders. They will also be commemorated with a plaque on the Manufacturers Wall of Fame at MACNY headquarters.

ABOUT JACKIE FERRARI

Jackie Ferrari is founder and CEO of American Fashion Network (AFN), an 18-year, certified Woman-Owned business. Ferrari is working to reshape global sourcing by strengthening apparel manufacturing in the U.S. and northern triangle of Central America. Together, with her multi-generational team, AFN is serving the American warfighter through the development and manufacturing of uniforms and apparel for the Department of Defense and Defense Logistics Agency, and leading American corporations back to our factories for their uniform and apparel needs.

Ferrari is deeply engaged in the bi-partisan movement to balance global manufacturing and reduce our dependency on China. Collectively, in their supply chain, Ferrari and her team fuel more than 650 jobs in the U.S. and Central America.

Since 2005, Ferrari has honed her product development and manufacturing skills in Central New York, California, and Wisconsin. She makes her home in Skaneateles and is the mother of three, grandmother of four, and step-mother of one; all while driving a Made in America movement! Ferrari serves on the board of Infinite Hero and the Executive Leadership team for the American Heart Association.

ABOUT MIKE WETZEL

Mike Wetzel is President and CEO of Air Innovations, a firm specializing in the design and manufacturing of environmental control systems. Wetzel is a graduate of Clarkson University where he received a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering. He is a licensed professional engineer and the holder of 15 U.S. patents.

Prior to Air Innovations, Wetzel was based in Strasbourg, France for 4 years where he worked for a multinational company building cleanrooms in Europe and the Mideast. He also worked stateside as an Engineering Manager in the HVAC construction industry. Since joining the company as President and CEO in 1996, Wetzel has grown Air Innovations from a company focused solely on floral coolers to one that addresses a wide variety of refrigeration, air conditioning, and filtration needs across many diverse industries, including wine cellars, semiconductor, aerospace, and defense. During this period of rapid growth, Air Innovations has shipped their products to more than one-third of the countries in the world. Over the years, Air Innovations’ Wine Guardian division has become recognized as the world leader in wine cellar cooling solutions.

Wetzel is a member of the District Export Council, President of the CNYIBA (Central New York International Business Alliance) and serves on MACNY, The Manufacturers Association’s Board of Directors and the Air Conditioning Heating Refrigeration Institute’s National Leadership Council. Under Wetzel’s leadership, Air Innovations has received many awards and honors, including President’s “E” Award granted by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, SBA Region II Exporter of the Year, repeat winner of the CNY Family Business Awards, and multiple recognitions as Economic Champion by CenterState CEO.

In his spare time, Wetzel participates in many outdoor sports and activities that Central New York has to offer, including skiing, biking, hiking, sailing, scuba diving, and car racing.

ABOUT THE AWARD

With their induction into the Manufacturers Wall of Fame, Jackie Ferrari and Mike Wetzel will be joining a prestigious group of manufacturing leaders who have been honored since the Wall of Fame’s inception in 2001. The Manufacturers Wall of Fame celebrates individuals who have demonstrated long-term dedication to manufacturing in Central and Upstate New York.