Alumna named Outstanding Young Person by Illinois Jaycees

Erica Wiegel, ’02, has been selected by the Illinois Jaycees as an Outstanding Young Person of Illinois. The program annually recognizes people throughout Illinois who excel in their chosen fields and show a great commitment to their communities.
Wiegel, 37, of Addison, Illinois, is being recognized in the category of business, economic and/or entrepreneurial accomplishment. She holds a bachelor of applied science in mechanical engineering from NIU.
Wiegel is president of ARO Metal Stamping in Roselle. In her first year of ownership, ARO Metal Stamping doubled sales and was certified as a minority-owned business and a women’s business enterprise. The company is proud of its close-knit family environment. Wiegel is also co-owner and treasurer of Wiegel Tool Works, a Wood Dale metal stamping company founded by her grandfather.
Wiegel encourages young women to become interested in STEM fields. She frequently speaks to school groups, Girl Scout troops and student clubs and opens her business for plant tours so students can learn firsthand about careers in advanced manufacturing.
She also created the Erica Wiegel/ARO Metal Stamping Scholarship, which is awarded annually to a student pursing a degree in manufacturing technology at NIU.
Earlier this year, Wiegel received the Rose Mottl Leadership in Manufacturing Award for her outstanding contributions to advance the manufacturing industry. In 2016, she was named a Suburban Life Media Best Under 40 honoree for her commitment to excellence in and out of the workplace. She also received the Manufacturer of the Year Award from the Alliance for Illinois Manufacturing and was named an NIU College of Engineering and Engineering Technology Alumnus of the Year.
“I am honored to receive the Jaycees TOYP award in recognition of what can be accomplished with focus and hard work,” Wiegel said. “I will use this opportunity to increase young people’s awareness of the great careers available in STEM and manufacturing.”
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