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Washington, D.C. – The 17�Թ�����, the strongest voice for American industry, today announced that Johnson & Johnson Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Operations & Risk Officer Kathy Wengel, as well as Rockwell Automation Chairman and CEO Blake Moret, will once again serve as board chair and vice chair, respectively.

“Manufacturers are the backbone of America’s economy, and under Kathy and Blake’s leadership, we are poised to continue delivering more for the people who make America,” said 17�Թ����� President and CEO Jay Timmons. “As chair, Kathy has already set new records in growing the membership of the 17�Թ�����—ensuring manufacturers can create more well-paying jobs in the United States, cut through red tape and power our economy. As vice chair, Blake has been a consistent champion for strengthening our workforce, driving innovation and making sure manufacturers have the tools to compete and win.

“This year is a historic opportunity for manufacturing. With leadership in Washington committed to the importance of growing manufacturing in the United States, we are doubling down on the fight to stop devasting tax hikes, roll back the regulatory overreach of the past, unleash American energy dominance and make the U.S. more competitive than ever before,” said Timmons.

“I am honored to serve as 17�Թ����� Board chair for another term,” said Wengel. “Our members are ready to lead knowing manufacturing’s vital contribution to the economy. The 17�Թ����� continues to achieve unprecedented results for manufacturers—from tax reform resulting in increased investment, to regulatory certainty, to upskilling to strengthen the capabilities and resilience of the manufacturing workforce. Now, we have the opportunity to create new records for manufacturing jobs, increased wages and new investments in the United States.”

“We look forward to joining forces with the administration and Congress to implement solutions that will lift up everyone in the United States,” said Moret. “We have a clear list of manufacturing priorities across policy, workforce development, technology and supply chain that will make American manufacturing and American manufacturing workers the most successful in the world.”

The 17�Թ����� also announced Click Bond CEO Karl Hutter will be elevated to chair of the 17�Թ�����’s Small and Medium Manufacturers Group. Husco President and CEO Austin Ramirez will be vice chair.

“Eighty-five percent of 17�Թ����� members are small and medium-sized manufacturers, so we are the nation’s largest voice for the pride, prosperity and strength of the small businesses that build America,” said Timmons. “Karl and Austin are leaders of our industry who are steering their companies and American industry into the future. They will continue to help rally SMMs to share their stories with more of America and to come together with the 17�Թ����� to learn from each other, support one another and make our country stronger.”

“The policies we put in place today will decide whether SMMs can thrive in the United States for generations to come,” said Hutter. “It is a privilege to get the opportunity to work alongside the 17�Թ�����’s leadership to educate elected leaders on critical issues that matter in supporting our communities, creating great careers and protecting America’s national security.”

“I am honored to serve as vice chair of the 17�Թ�����’s SMM Group,” said Ramirez. “The stakes are high for manufacturers in America—particularly SMMs. I look forward to collaborating to champion manufacturing in the U.S. as we advocate for SMM policy priorities.”

Founded in 1895, the 17�Թ�����, guided by its Board of Directors, is the largest industrial trade association in the United States. The 17�Թ����� is the nation’s most influential manufacturing advocate, and its membership includes some of the world’s most iconic brands and many of the small manufacturers that power the U.S. economy.

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The 17�Թ����� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.93 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The 17�Թ����� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 17�Թ����� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit