GOVERNMENT
After more than four decades working in manufacturing, Peter Perez has gone to Washington, D.C., to advocate for it as an insider.
Perez, president and owner of Grand Rapids-based Carter Products Co. Inc., on Monday started his new job as deputy assistant secretary for manufacturing at the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration. Perez will look to identify barriers to boosting exports, and factors that are hampering manufacturers' ability to compete globally.
“We want to stay focused on putting people back to work,” Perez said.
Perez has hit the ground running. One day in, he'd already met with leaders working on President Barack Obama's National Export Initiative, a project that aims to double exports and create 2 million jobs over the next five years by doing such things as boosting export financing and removing barriers to trade.
“The president requires a report out in 180 days,” Perez said.
Included on the National Export Council are Michigan-based business leaders such as Alan Mulally, president and CEO of Ford Motor Co.;Andrew Liveris, chairman and CEO of Dow Chemical Co.; andStephanie Burns, president and CEO of Dow Corning Corp.
Perez said it's an indication that manufacturers will be important players in shaping policy to increase exports and create jobs.
“Leading executives realize they have an open door to the White House and other departments, and we welcome the opportunity to have an exchange,” he said.
Manufacturing employs about 12 million people, who make about $1.6 trillion in products — or 18 percent of the world's manufactured goods — and drive half of the nation's research and development activity, Perez said. Keeping the sector strong would protect jobs not only on the production line but in finance, marketing, engineering and more, he said.
Boosting its strength might mean addressing manufacturer concerns about “some of the regulations and taxes they feel may restrain opportunity to grow business in this country,” Perez said.
“I hope to bring energy and passion to this position. I've been in manufacturing for more than 40 years,” he said.
Perez said he's kept his house in Ada and plans to commute every weekend to help stay in touch with manufacturers in the state.
“All my Michigan manufacturing friends have my e-mail address and phone number and I encourage them to use it,” Perez said. “Grass roots contributions are very important.”
Perez's work is a natural extension for him, said Terry Camp, vice president and general manager at Carter Products. Carter Products makes band saws and other wordworking tools for hobbyists and industrial users.
“His heart is still here,” Camp said. “He thinks he can make a strong contribution in Washington. His goal is to promote awareness of manufacturing and the importance of creating an environment where it can grow,” including a “reasonable regulatory environment and strong educational programs to create highly skilled workers.”
Perez is no stranger to advocacy. He has served on the board of theNational Association of Manufacturers as a representative for small and medium-sized manufacturing companies, and served as president of the Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America. In 2008, he received awards from the Michigan Manufacturers Association for his advocacy efforts.
After years on its board of directors, Perez, with his wife, Carroll, took over ownership of Carter Products in 1990. But he has also served as president of musical instrument manufacturers Elkhart, Ind.-based Conn-Selman Inc. and Waltham, Mass.-based Steinway Musical Instruments Inc., then a division of New York City-based CBS Broadcasting Inc. Later, he was president of Memphis, Tenn.-based eye care company Eagle Visionand vice president of Flautt Properties Inc., also in Memphis before it was sold in 1990.
His latest role presents exciting opportunities, he said.
Others agree.
“Peter will be a strong and effective representative for the manufacturing community within the Administration,” said former Michigan Gov. John Engler, president of the National Association of Manufacturers, in an e-mailed statement. “His experience as a business and community leader will serve him well ... and we very much look forward to working with him in his new capacity.”
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario