LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Sherry DePerno upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the 2015 STEP Ahead Award by The Women in
Manufacturing

WHEREAS, A great community is only as great as those persons and organ-
izations that provide exemplary service, whether through participation
in voluntary programs, through unique personal achievement in their
profession or other endeavors, or simply through a lifetime of good
citizenship; and
WHEREAS, Sherry DePerno has given not only of her time and energies
but also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently
has been designated for special recognition; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Sherry DePerno
upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the 2015 STEP Ahead
Award by The Women in Manufacturing, celebrated at a gala on Thursday,
March 26, 2015, in Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS, In 2012, The Manufacturing Institute launched the Science,
Technology, Engineering and Production (STEP) Ahead initiative to honor
and promote the role of women in the manufacturing industry through
recognition, research, and leadership; and
WHEREAS, As part of the STEP Ahead initiative, the Women in Manufac-
turing STEP Ahead Awards honor women in the manufacturing industry, such
as Sherry DePerno, who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in
their careers and represent all levels of the manufacturing industry;
and
WHEREAS, After purchasing Advanced Tool Inc. from her parents in 2007,
President/CEO Sherry DePerno saw a need for expansion to keep the busi-
ness going; she was instrumental in the development of Wear Analysis, an
innovative and unique concept to the cutting tool industry; and
WHEREAS, Sherry DePerno takes an active role in addressing significant
issues by promoting the industry in national publications, participating
in industry and educational conferences and committees, and has built a
step-by-step training curriculum from the ground up at her facility; and
WHEREAS, Sherry DePerno has a vision to create a CNC end mill manufac-
turing training center, partnering with local educational institutions
to bring the vision to fruition; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable woman regularly participates in manufacturing
day events, conferences, and workshops, at times serving as a Keynote
Speaker and Panelist; in addition, she contributes to technical articles
in national magazines such as CUTTING TOOL ENGINEERING and MICRO MANU-
FACTURING; and
WHEREAS, Sherry DePerno recently graduated from the SBA Emerging Lead-
ers executive-level entrepreneurship training initiative, a very compet-
itive, highly selective program; in May of 2014, she was the recipient
of SBA's Small Business Excellence Award; and
WHEREAS, Sherry DePerno has been called upon to contribute her time
and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always
given of herself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Active in her community, Sherry DePerno volunteers for numer-
ous charitable organizations, and is a mentor to both small business
proprietors and new companies; she is also the Founder/Executive Direc-
tor of ALS of Utica; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Sherry DePerno has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and

sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Sherry DePerno upon the occasion of her designation as recipient
of the 2015 STEP Ahead Award by The Women in Manufacturing; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Sherry DePerno.