FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Norwood, NJ (September 9, 2026) — Industrial Rivet & Fastener Co. is proud to announce that Vice President Taryn Goodman has been named the 2026 Young Fastener Professional of the Year by the International Fastener Expo (IFE). Presented annually to one recipient, the award recognizes a professional age 40 or younger who has demonstrated leadership and made significant contributions to the fastener industry.
Taryn’s commitment to the industry extends well beyond her role at Industrial Rivet. For the past nine years, she has volunteered on the Board of Directors of Women in the Fastener Industry (WIFI), including five years as Treasurer/Secretary and two years as President.
WIFI brings together women from virtually every part of the fastener industry—from manufacturers and distributors to independent sales representatives, platers and finishers, technology providers, and other companies that support the industry. Women who may work in very different corners of the fastener world have an opportunity through WIFI to meet, learn from one another, build relationships, and support each other’s careers.
During her time on the board, Taryn has helped WIFI grow and evolve while remaining focused on its mission of creating opportunities for women in the fastener industry. Her contributions have included strengthening the organization’s finances, processes, and technology, while also taking an active role in member meetings, educational programs, scholarships, and networking events.
She has helped organize and lead numerous WIFI events, including the annual Women in the Fastener Industry Networking Breakfast at Fastener Fair USA. WIFI also creates opportunities for women to attend industry trade shows, helping members broaden their understanding of the fastener industry beyond their own roles and companies while building valuable relationships with customers, suppliers, and other industry professionals.
Education and professional development have also been an important focus of Taryn’s service. She helped develop and launch WIFI scholarship opportunities, including the Joanne Goodman Sherman Scholarship, established in honor of her aunt, which provides recipients with access to online fastener training and educational resources. She has also helped support WIFI’s collaboration with the Industrial Fasteners Institute (IFI), expanding opportunities for WIFI members to participate in technical education, webinars, and industry training.
“What stands out to me about Taryn’s involvement in the industry is how much of it comes from a genuine desire to contribute,” said Brianna Medeiros, Marketing Coordinator at Industrial Rivet & Fastener Co. “Her work with WIFI has been completely volunteer-driven, and she continues to give her time and energy to creating opportunities for others to connect, learn and grow. As someone who works with Taryn every day, I see that same commitment to developing people within Industrial Rivet, too. We’re incredibly proud to see that impact recognized by IFE.”
That same commitment to education carries into Taryn’s work at Industrial Rivet, where she led the implementation of a digital Learning Management System and developed a custom Industrial Rivet 101 onboarding program to help new employees build foundational knowledge of the company, its products, and the fastener industry. She has also contributed to industry conversations and educational programs, including participating as a panelist at the International Fastener Expo.
“WIFI has been one of the most meaningful parts of my experience in the fastener industry,” said Goodman. “I’ve met so many incredible women through the organization and have personally benefited from the friendships, mentorship and support that come from that community. I love seeing women support one another and create opportunities for each other, especially in an industry that has traditionally been very male-dominated. Being able to give back to an organization that has given so much to me, and hopefully help other women find that same sense of community, has been incredibly rewarding.”
Taryn joined Industrial Rivet & Fastener Co. in 2012 and today serves as Vice President, overseeing Finance, Human Resources, and Marketing while serving as a member of the company’s executive leadership team. She earned degrees in Economics and Biology from Williams College and an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Taryn will be recognized as the 2026 Young Fastener Professional of the Year during the International Fastener Expo in Phoenix.
About Industrial Rivet and Fastener Co.
Founded in 1912, Industrial Rivet & Fastener Co. is a global leader in permanent fastening technology. The company maintains one of the industry’s largest rivet inventories, complemented by custom manufacturing capabilities and advanced tool systems designed to meet the demands of high-tech production environments. From autofeeding and robotics integration to real-time process monitoring and data connectivity, Industrial Rivet delivers the products, tools, and expertise that keep modern manufacturing moving.
Learn more at www.rivet.com.