SECRETARY GUTIERRZ WELCOMES CALIFORNIA METAL FORMING REPRESENATIVIE TO MANUFACTURING COUNCIL

March 22, 2006

Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today welcomed Kellie Johnson, president of Ace Clearwater Enterprises in Torrance, Calif., to the Manufacturing Council. The council met with Secretary Gutierrez during Manufacturing Week in Rosemont, Ill.

“Kellie Johnson has been an accomplished, innovative and environmentally conscious manufacturer in California for more than two decades,” said Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing and Services Al Frink, the council’s executive director. “Her experience and her passion for creating an educated workforce for the 21 st Century will be greatly benefit the council’s goal to improve manufacturing competitiveness in the United States.”

Johnson worked in the metal forming industry for more than 20 years. She served as president of Ace Clearwater Enterprises in Torrance, Calif., from 1985 to 2006, where she learned all areas of the business from purchasing to production control. She earned a degree in International Relations and Political Science from The University of Southern California.

The Manufacturing Council consists of private-sector manufacturing leaders from throughout the United States who work with the Commerce Department to advocate, coordinate and implement policies that will improve U.S. manufacturing competitiveness. The council membership reflects diversity of industry, size of industry and geography.

Don Wainwright, chairman and CEO of Wainwright Industries near St. Louis, serves as chairman of the Manufacturing Council. Karen Wright, President and owner of Ariel Corporation in Mount Vernon, Ohio, serves as vice-chair.