Executive Highlight

Terry Iverson

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Founder, CHAMPIONNow!
Business Founded: 2012
Phone: (904) 312-0731
Email: [email protected]

Address:
441 N. 3rd Avenue
Des Plaines, IL 60016

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How long have you been in your industry?45 years
Why did you choose your industry?I have been in manufacturing sector for 45 years, and around 2012 decided to find a great way to give back. My family is now celebrating 100 years in manufacturing as of 2025. I started speaking to high schools in the mid 90's as a result of Harry Moser's influence. This lead to me then deciding to start a 501C3 with the clever acronym of CHAMPION - Change How America Manufacturing's Perceived In Our Nation. The Now! is the call to action! I have also written 2 books as a result of this path.
Who are your typical clients?Right now I have some board members and forward thinking machine tool people that given to my organization. IMEC is the MEP in Illinois and they have given us some funds to conduct the Camp CHAMP that we developed for high school students mentoring middle school students on the basic concepts on manufacturing. Some times I get people that want me to speak at events & buy books to give attendees.
What do you like best about being in this industry?I have also found manufacturing fascinating. Working on CNC Machines is cooler than anything. Being able to grow the population of the workforce, which is what we are trying to do is a monumental task. By reaching down all the way to the middle schoolers, and connecting them to the high school mentors I feel strongly that this is a sustainable model to be a change agent for decades to come.
What are common problems you see?Lack of peopleLack of Skills in many candidatesLack of Fund Raising for a cause like oursLack of awareness that we are doing something to help everyone in manufacturing
What advice/tips do you have for clients?GET INVOLVED! Buy a camp. Talk to Parents and Students. Donate or volunteer to our organization. Get involved in your local High School STEM program.Don't just complain, instead be part of the solution. Join our organization and help conduct the camps. Buy our books and give them out to those in need. It may be a relative, it might be a neighbors child or grandchild. Help preach the message. Pass it forward any chance you get.
When is your busy season?ALL YEAR ROUND - Although October is manufacturing month and the first Friday of October is Manufacturing Day.
What keeps you up at night?Trying to get our message out to the general public and parents and youth. Too many of our youth take out student loans for careers that are not worth the educational costs. Many times they are studying for careers that are not even a good match for what they are suited to skill wise or aptitude.
How do you market yourself to grow/expand your business?Networking and introducting my organization everywhere I go. I have been on 50-60 podcasts as an interview, but now hosting a podcast allows me to have them tell their story while also bringing the CHAMPIONNow! message forward. Promoting, selling and giving away my books promotes the solution and makes people aware. I write many articles for industry magazines.
How involved are you in the community?I donated my time at Church for decades. I also have mentored many young people both in our industry and outside it. I coached travel soccer for 25 years.My 501(c)(3) brings young people, parents, schools and industry together to introduce young people to manufacturing concepts.
What is your favorite not for profit or charity?www.CHAMPIONNow.org
What advice would you give to someone thinking of getting into this business?I think the boomer generation who has been in manufacturing should give back. Whether it is donating their time, or money, either way is absolutely great to support either CHAMPIONNow! or others in the industry that are trying to move the needle of workforce development. We need hundreds of thousands of new young people, soon to be millions in our manufacturing workforce!
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?I watch my 8 grandchildren play travel soccer! I played soccer in both high school and college, then coached at both the park district house league level and travel, both young men and young women. I also watch alot of professional sports (NFL & MLB)

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