BorgWarner's Aircraft Business Manager Wins STEP Ahead Award

Event summary

  • Regina Dunagan, Aircraft Business Manager at BorgWarner, named 2026 STEP Ahead Awards honoree by The Manufacturing Institute.
  • Dunagan's 40-year career at BorgWarner's Bellwood, Illinois plant highlights leadership during COVID-19 pandemic through cross-training initiatives.
  • Awards ceremony scheduled for April 23, 2026, in Washington, D.C., with 145 recipients recognized.
  • Dunagan's leadership focused on process improvements and team empowerment, contributing to BorgWarner's collaborative culture.
  • Active community engagement includes volunteering for multiple charitable organizations.

The big picture

The recognition of Regina Dunagan underscores BorgWarner's focus on leadership development and talent retention within the manufacturing sector. As the industry faces ongoing challenges in attracting and retaining skilled workers, programs like the STEP Ahead Awards highlight the importance of showcasing effective leadership. Dunagan's long tenure and innovative approaches during the pandemic demonstrate the strategic value of empowering employees to adapt to changing market conditions. This recognition also aligns with broader industry trends emphasizing the need for strong workplace cultures to drive long-term success.

What we're watching

Talent Retention
How BorgWarner's recognition of long-term employees like Dunagan will affect its ability to retain skilled workers in a competitive manufacturing landscape.
Operational Resilience
Whether Dunagan's cross-training initiatives during the pandemic can be sustained as a long-term strategy for operational flexibility.
Community Impact
The pace at which BorgWarner can leverage Dunagan's community engagement to enhance its corporate social responsibility profile.