Rita Needham

Her job isn’t an easy one. The manufacturing industry faces challenges from all sides – increased automation, ever-advancing technology and new competition from foreign soil.

Needham, however, sees the rough road as a chance to make an impact.

“In all my personal and professional endeavors, I tend to view challenges as opportunities,” she said, “and I am willing to address issues that may seem, to some, to be insurmountable.”

One seemingly insurmountable challenge is the rising cost of health care for employers. Needham, with help from other SAMA members, came up with a unique solution: the SAMA I Health Care Consortium.

The consortium, formed under the first group health care waiver in the history of the Missouri Department of Insurance, allows companies with less than 25 employees to join with larger companies in a common insurance plan. The collective bargaining power gives employees access to the lower rates usually reserved for the largest companies.

The program has worked well; some smaller employers in the program have saved as much as 50 percent on initial premiums, and six of the 32 member companies were able to offer group health insurance for the first time.

The state legislature has taken notice. Lawmakers recently passed House Bill 1827, which allows all of Missouri’s small employers to join with their larger counterparts for the same benefits.

“This law presents a tremendous opportunity for Missouri’s small employers, who account for 88 percent of all business in the state, to access affordable health care and, in so doing, to attract and retain quality employees,” Needham said.

Needham also serves on the boards of the Greater Ozarks International Trade Association and the Employers Association Group of the National Association of Manufacturers, as well as on the Mayor’s Commission for Children.

These are just some examples of Needham’s influence – influence she attributes to the help of her southwest Missouri manufacturing colleagues.

“As they convey challenges they face in continuing to manufacture in America despite the ever-increasing pressure from the forces of global competition, we are able to work together to address the issues and seek solutions,” she said.

Personally speaking

Please tell us about your family.

My husband, Jim, and I will celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary in November. We have been blessed with two children. Cory and his wife, Diane, live in Grain Valley, and our daughter, Lesley, and her husband, Chad, live in Eagle River, Alaska.

What book are you reading now?

“Ten Minutes from Normal,” by Karen Hughes, former adviser to President George W. Bush. This book appeals to me for two reasons. First, it tells the story of how Karen Hughes was able to fulfill the very influential role of counselor to the president of the United States, and help him understand what his decisions would mean for the average person. Second, I am impressed by the willingness of Karen Hughes to leave the White House and move back home to Texas in order to spend more time with her family. I can identify with the struggle to achieve a balance in life.

Besides your parents, who do you consider a mentor or role model?

Richard W. Brummett, former director of fuels and mining for Associated Electric Cooperative Inc., who invested his time, patiently sharing his experience and advice in order to help me grow in knowledge and succeed in my role as fuels administrator. Another great mentor has been Jack Gentry. He turned SAMA over to me and helped me understand the importance of SAMA and getting manufacturers together for a common purpose.[[In-content Ad]]