Press Release

Secretary Gutierrez Appoints New Members to Manufacturing Council

WASHINGTON—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez announced the new membership of the U.S. Manufacturing Council, including a new chairman and vice-chair.

“The Manufacturing Council is a strong voice for the private sector. The Council focuses on issues that are critical to manufacturing competitiveness, including improving innovation, lowering energy costs and preparing a skilled workforce for the jobs of the future,” Gutierrez said. “I look forward to working closely with the Council to ensure that the U.S. manufacturing sector competes on a level playing field in the world marketplace for generations to come.”

Fred Keller, chairman and chief executive officer of Cascade Engineering, will serve as the new chairman of the Manufacturing Council. Kellie Johnson, president of ACE Clearwater Enterprises, will serve as the vice-chair. The members of the Council include:

• Dean Bartles, Vice President and General Manager, General Dynamics Corp.
• John Cantlin, President, Lifoam Industries
• Daniel DiMicco, Chairman, President and CEO, Nucor Corp.
• Daniel W. Holmes Jr., Chairman, Morrison Products, Inc.
• William Jones, President, Penn United Technology, Inc.
• Peter Kamenstein, President, Kamenstein, a Division of Lifetime Brands Corp.
• James McGregor, President, Morgal Machine Tool and Ohio Stamping and Machine
• Michael Nowak, President and CEO, Coating Excellence International
• Jason Speer, Vice President and General Manager, Quality Float Works, Inc.
• Harding Stowe, President and CEO, R.L. Stowe Mills, Inc.
• Edward Voboril, Chairman of the Board, Analogic
• Della Williams, President and CEO, Williams-Pyro, Inc.

The Manufacturing Council was established to ensure regular communication between the federal government and manufacturing sector. The Council works directly with the Commerce Department to advocate, coordinate and implement policies that seek to strengthen U.S. manufacturers’ competitiveness worldwide. The newly appointed council consists of 14 private-sector executives who reflect the diversity of industry, size of company and geography.

Priorities of the Council include: investment in innovation; improving the climate for investment in the U.S. manufacturing sector; and ensuring the sustainability of the U.S. manufacturing industry in an increasingly competitive global market.

For more information on the Manufacturing Council, visit: http://www.manufacturing.gov/council/index.asp?dName=council#, and for a list of members on the Council visit: http://www.manufacturing.gov/council/members/index.asp?dName=council