Andra Rush, founder and CEO of Detroit Manufacturing Systems, was a guest of Michelle Obama’s in the First Lady’s box at last month’s State of the Union Address.
President Obama, noting Rush in the gallery, asked Congress to do more to “speed up growth and create more jobs” by encouraging programs that emphasize training and re-training workers for jobs U.S. employers actually need. He also called for connecting companies with vocational schools and community colleges to design training programs to fill specific needs.
“[Rush] knew that Ford needed parts for the best-selling truck in America, and she knew how to make them, ” the President told Congress. ” She just needed the workforce.” Obamba went on to relate the story of how Rush called up an American Job Center – which is federally-funded – and found the workers that she needed.
“Today, Detroit Manufacturing Systems has more than 700 employees,” Obama said. “What Andra and her employees experienced is how it should be for every employer – and every job seeker.”
Rush founded Detroit Manufacturing Systems Ltd., in 2012. Her company manufactures and assembles injection molded trim pieces for automotive interiors, with Ford’s F-150 truck and Mustang line among her earliest customers. DMS grew to more than 600 employees in it first year and Rush was appointed to the U.S. Manufacturing Council, the primary private-sector manufacturing committee advising the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.