December 2, 2025

Forest City Gear, an industry-leading manufacturer of fine- and medium-pitch custom gears, is proud to announce that Director of Operations Jared Lyford has been elected President of the Rock River Valley Tooling & Machining Association (RRVTMA).

RRVTMA, the region’s chapter of NTMA, is comprised of leaders at manufacturing companies in the region. Through philanthropy and community involvement, RRVTMA awards scholarships and facilitates apprenticeships in tooling, machining, welding, and engineering.

Lyford has served on the RRVTMA Board of Directors since 2023, contributing to initiatives supporting technical education, apprenticeship pathways, and stronger collaboration among regional manufacturers. His election to President reflects both his leadership within the organization and his long-standing commitment to strengthening the industry’s talent pipeline.

“I look forward to this opportunity, as workforce development and the apprenticeship model are extremely important to me, as my career started through the apprenticeship program,” says Lyford. “The RRVTMA is a longstanding association in the Stateline area, partnering with local businesses to offer training and networking opportunities. I am honored to be able to work with the team in place to continue our strategic direction for the next term and maximize value for the membership and quality of options and product offerings for the apprentices.”

As President, Lyford will guide the organization’s strategic direction, support member companies, and help advance apprenticeship and workforce development programs across northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

“Shortly after I took over as president, I asked Jared to if he was interested in joining our board of directors. I have known Jared for several years, both personally and professionally, and knew he would be the perfect person to join our board,” says Casey Schwebke, outgoing president of RRVTMA. “Jared has been through our apprenticeship program… he knows the importance of training the next generation. His drive and passion to help apprentices succeed is contagious. I look forward to seeing where Jared’s leadership takes us moving forward.”

At Forest City Gear, Lyford oversees operations for one of the world’s premier precision gear manufacturers. His leadership emphasizes continuous improvement, workforce development, and long-term investment in machining excellence—values that closely align with the RRVTMA’s mission.