SFMA Staff

The South Florida Manufacturers Association (SFMA) is run by a group of dedicated staff members. Learn more about SFMA staff or contact one of them below.

Matthew R. Rocco

President

As President of the SFMA, Matthew’s experience spans more than 10 years in the corporate arena and higher education. He has served in various leadership positions, managed complex projects and programs, worked with employers to create customized workforce programs for their companies, and created partnership opportunities in the business community. He brings an excellent mix of expertise and a passion for helping manufacturers to his new role. Prior to taking over as SFMA President, Matthew was a Board of Director for 3 years and worked at Broward College. Matthew is excited for this new chapter and will work hard on behalf of all manufacturers in the South Florida area.

email: mrocco@sfma.org
mobile: 954-682-7355

Aaron Palazzalo

Member Services Manager

Aaron Palazzolo has 15 years of diversified experience in the private sector and non-profit management. Some of Aaron’s prior experience is in member services management with industry trade associations. During his time at the South Florida Hospital and Healthcare Association, Aaron successfully managed and led multiple membership-based initiatives and committees. He also implemented organizational process improvements for change and built successful professional networks to achieve organizational growth. Aaron possesses a passion for association success and is enthusiastic about facilitating the goals of SFMA and our members and supporters.

email: aaron@sfma.org
mobile: (954) 647-8954

Micah Daugherty

FloridaMakes / SFMA Business Advisor

Micah “Doc” Daugherty is a FloridaMakes Business Advisor working with the South Florida Manufacturer’s Association. He started his career at Weirton Steel Corporation in Weirton, West Virginia, where he spent 15 years and served as a Regional Sales Manager for Tin Mill Products, Operations Planning Supervisor, and Metallurgical Technician. He moved to Florida in 2003 and started his own steel trading and consulting business. Through the ownership and operation of this business, Micah gained extensive knowledge on international business, sales and marketing, supply chain management, and the import and export process.

email: micah.daugherty@floridamakes.com
mobile: 954.655.9698

Jay Hess

Business Advisor

Jay is a FloridaMakes Business Advisor based at the South Florida Manufacturers Association. He has more than 29 years of manufacturing experience, most recently as Executive Vice President of Operations with UNIPOWER LLC. Jay has served on the board of directors for the South Florida Manufacturers Association and currently serves as a board member for PointOne Investment Holdings. He is certified by APICS in inventory and production control and is registered and recognized as an expert witness for litigation relating to manufacturing material practices, UCC, and product liability. Jay has a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and completed his master’s studies in electrical and mechanical engineering.

email: Jay.hess@floridamakes.com
mobile: 954-494-4895

Dennis Battistella

Coordinator – South Florida Machinist Apprenticeship Program

Dennis Battistella has spent his entire career in manufacturing. At the SFMA, he wears two hats: One is Coordinator of the Machinist Apprenticeship Program and the other is Trainer and Consultant. About 8 years ago, Dennis began working with a group of member companies to develop a certified machinist apprenticeship program in south Florida. Partnering with Atlantic Technical College, the program became certified by the State of Florida. As an SFMA Trainer and Consultant, Dennis helps members design and implement training plans within the SFMA Training Institute. In his spare time, he teaches Operations Management at FAU.

email: batti@bellsouth.net
mobile: 954-292-0040

Sandra Blake

Communications Manager

Sandra Blake’s entire career has been focused in manufacturing. She was Vice President of Human Resources with FHP Manufacturing (Bosch) for more than 2 decades. During her time at FHP, Sandra served the SFMA for more than 20 years in the capacities of Chair of the Human Resources Committee, Board of Director, and Chair of the Board. Since retiring from FHP, Sandra opened her own business – Blakes Design Biz – designing websites for a myriad of organizations and businesses, including some SFMA members. Since 2012, Sandra has worked with the SFMA as webmaster and communications and database manager.

email: sblake@sfma.org
phone: 954-941-3558

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