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If area manufacturers had a crystal ball to peer into and see how a Donald Trump presidency will impact their businesses, they would surely want to use it right about now. Dozens of financial executives within area manufacturing businesses attended Thursday’s Gilmore Jasion Mahler Financial Executive Roundtable events in Findlay and Maumee to get some insight from experts. Like many people, two days after the stunning results of the election, they were eager to gain some perspective.

Both crowds heard from RSM US LLP National Tax partner Tom Windram, whose expertise is in federal credits and incentives. Gilmore Jasion Mahler is an independently owned member of the RSM US Alliance.

Political science professor Robert Postic of The University of Findlay presented at The Findlay Inn roundtable and Dr. Sam Nelson of the University of Toledo lent his perspective for the crowd at Brandywine Country Club in Maumee.

Tom Windram’s presentation focused on Trump’s proposed changes to corporate tax structure on the campaign trail and how they differ from the stance of House republicans.  

Trump Proposals, some key points:

Business tax reform:

• Lower rates for all types of business
• Encourage capital investments
• End inversions
• Tax foreign earnings as earned, eliminate deferral

Individual tax reform:

• Lower tax rates for all (12, 25, 33 percent)
• Eliminate and reduce tax deductions and credits
• Child care credit

Also featured at this week's roundtables: a potentially valuable resource for attendees: The UT Center for Family Owned & Privately-Held Business. Members and roundtable attendees Todd Hendricks, Jr., Chief Operating Officer with Pioneer Industrial Systems and Rob Bleile, President of American Timber and Steel Corp. shared their thoughts on the value of membership in the Manufacturers' Corner portion of the Maumee event. The Center's Director Debbe Skutch and Assistant Director Angie Jones addressed Findlay roundtable attendees. The Center was created in the early 1990's as a resource for family businesses within the northwest Ohio/southeastern Michigan region.

Gilmore Jasion Mahler established the roundtable events to provide a way for area manufacturing & distribution financial executives to come together and share best practices. Past topics have included the state of Ohio manufacturing, social media for employee engagement, company culture and mergers & acquisitions. The next GJM Manufacturing & Distribution Financial Executive Roundtable is scheduled for February 9, 2017.