Governor Martin O’Malley addressed the inaugural meeting of the Maryland Advisory Commission on Manufacturing Competitiveness and swore in 16 new commission members. The event took place at MarquipWardUnited, a corrugated paperboard and folding carton manufacturer located in Cockeysville.
RMI Board of Director members on the commission are Senator Kathy Klausmeier (not in picture below-vacation,) Drew Greenblatt, Fred Swanner and Mike Galiazzo.
Governor O’Malley and members of the Maryland Advisory Commission on Manufacturing Competitiveness
Chaired by Jeff Fuchs, the Maryland Advisory Commission on Manufacturing Competitiveness is charged with advising the Secretary of Business and Economic Development on ways to encourage new and expanding manufacturing enterprises in Maryland. The Commission also recommends ways in which to retrain and educate Maryland workers for manufacturing jobs, support research, and foster the growth and viability of manufacturing enterprises in the State.
“Progress is a choice. Job creation is a choice. Making it in Maryland is also a choice,” said Governor O’Malley. “The work of the Commission – in identifying policies and generating ideas to encourage new and expanding manufacturing enterprises in Maryland – is critical to turning the promise of manufacturing today into the reality of manufacturing tomorrow.”
Sixteen of the Commission’s twenty-five members, who are appointed by the DBED Secretary with the Governor’s approval, were sworn in today to serve three-year terms: • Jeff B. Fuchs, MACMC Chair and Director, Maryland World Class Consortia • Jose Boluda, Director of Legislative Affairs, Northrup Grumman • Barbara Buchanan, Regional Operations Vice President, Frito Lay • Elsie Dare, Plant Manager, Crown Cork and Seal • Mike Galiazzo, Ph.D., Executive Director, Regional Manufacturing Institute • Drew Greenblatt, President, Marlin Steel Wire • Jason L. Groves, Executive Vice President & General Counsel, Medifast • John Higginbotham, President, PRS Guitars • Richard M. “Mike” Hutson, Manager of Business Development, Triton Metals, Inc. • Greg Liposky, Vice President & General Manager, MedImmune Frederick Plant • Kathy Menasche, Senior Director of Workforce and Business Development, Carroll County Community College • Daniel L. Pheil, President, Cinetic Landis Corporation • James Radin, Vice President of Global Supply Chain, McCormick • Jerry Solomon, Vice President of Operations, Marquip-Ward United • Jim Strong, Sub-District Director, United Steel Workers • Frederick V. Swanner, President, UAW Local 239, GM Transmissions
Ex officio members include: • Christian S. Johansson, Secretary of Business & Economic Development • Robert M. Summers, Ph.D., Secretary of the Environment • Scott R. Jensen, Interim Secretary of Labor, Licensing, & Regulation • Lillian M. Lowery, Ed.D., State Superintendent of Schools • Danette Gerald Howard, Ph.D., Secretary of Higher Education Senators David R. Brinkley and Katherine A. Klausmeier were appointed by the Senate President to serve on the Commission. Delegate John Olszewski Jr., was appointed to fill one of two seats by the House Speaker, with a second member to be named. The Commission reports to Governor O’Malley and the General Assembly according to five directives, as outlined in statute: (1) Encouraging the development of new manufacturing enterprises and the expansion and retention of existing manufacturing enterprises; (2) Encouraging and facilitating training and education of individuals for manufacturing jobs; (3) Producing a climate conducive to the growth and viability of manufacturing enterprises; (4) Supporting research necessary to evaluate, plan, and execute effective promotion of manufacturing enterprises; and (5) Encouraging, assisting, and coordinating the activities of local, regional, and national public or private organizations that promote manufacturing.
Senators David R. Brinkley and Katherine A. Klausmeier were appointed by the Senate President to serve on the Commission. Delegate John Olszewski Jr., was appointed to fill one of two seats by the House Speaker, with a second member to be named.
The Commission reports to Governor O’Malley and the General Assembly according to five directives, as outlined in statute:
(1) Encouraging the development of new manufacturing enterprises and the expansion and retention of existing manufacturing enterprises;
(2) Encouraging and facilitating training and education of individuals for manufacturing jobs;
(3) Producing a climate conducive to the growth and viability of manufacturing enterprises;
(4) Supporting research necessary to evaluate, plan, and execute effective promotion of manufacturing enterprises; and
(5) Encouraging, assisting, and coordinating the activities of local, regional, and national public or private organizations that promote manufacturing.