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Hagan announces creation of Manufacturing Advisory Committee
Story Date: 8/21/2013
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Source: PRESS RELEASE, 8/20/13
U.S. Senator Kay Hagan today announced the creation of her new Manufacturing Advisory Committee. The Manufacturing Advisory Committee will advise Senator Hagan on legislative issues and assist her in the development of policy proposals to support North Carolina’s manufacturing industry, which is the fourth largest in the country. Hagan announced the Committee after a tour of Pergo Flooring in Garner, which has a partnership with Wake Technical Community College to train workers.
“North Carolina’s manufacturing industry has shaped the history of our state and is going to lead us into the future so long as we all work together to strengthen our manufacturing roots and support emerging manufacturing sectors,” said Senator Hagan. “This advisory committee will be made up of a cross-section of leaders who will provide me with advice and policy ideas on how Congress can best help to boost North Carolina’s manufacturing sector, and most importantly create jobs for the people of our state. I will take the input, feedback and ideas I receive and give them a voice in Washington as we work to craft legislation.”
The Advisory Committee will be led by four co-chairs who work in and with the manufacturing industry in North Carolina – from company presidents to community college and job training professionals - and comprised of 15-20 manufacturing business owners and advocates from across the state who will meet with Senator Hagan and her staff throughout the year.
At the event, Hagan announced the four Committee co-chairs: Joe Dudley, Sr. Founder of Dudley Beauty Products in Greensboro; Maureen Little, Associate Vice President of Customized Training for the North Carolina Community College System; Kelley Platt, CEO and President of Thomas Built Buses in High Point; and Mitch Pulwer, President of Celgard in Charlotte. Each of these distinguished Co-Chairs has the experience and expertise to help shape a better environment for the manufacturing industry in North Carolina.
"Manufacturing continues to be a critical component of North Carolina's economic recovery, and I am pleased that Senator Hagan recognizes the role our 58 community colleges continue to play in supporting workforce development for our citizens,” said Maureen Little, Associate Vice President of Customized Training for the North Carolina Community College System. “I look forward to serving on Senator Hagan's Manufacturing Advisory Committee and helping to formulate policies that will create greater success for our industries."
Creating jobs and growing the economy have been Hagan’s number one priority in the Senate. Senator Hagan’s bipartisan AMERICA Works Act that recently advanced in the Senate would close the skills gap by encouraging our nation's job training programs like the partnership between Pergo Flooring and Wake Technical Community College to match the skills of workers with the needs of local employers. The legislation, which is supported by the National Association of Manufacturers and many other associations, employers and educators, establishes a national industry-recognized credentialing system so that community colleges and job-training centers are training job seekers for positions that are available now.
"All of us at Pergo were delighted to welcome Senator Hagan and the new Manufacturing Advisory Commission members to our Garner facility,” said Bart Stoferris, Vice President of Laminate Operations, who oversees Pergo Flooring in Garner. “We appreciate and value Senator Hagan's support of manufacturing across North Carolina. Her visit provided us with an opportunity to highlight the good work being done by our talented team of employees and showcase recent investments we've made at the plant."
Hagan also convened two Exporter Forums with Export-Import Bank Chairman Fred Hochberg to help more North Carolina businesses gain a competitive edge in overseas markets. The event included industry, academic and government experts who gave North Carolina businesses the inside knowledge they need to sell their products and services overseas.
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