3M’s Denise Rutherford Named to Manufacturers Association Board of Directors
Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Manufacturers announced that Denise Rutherford, senior vice president, 3M, has been named to the NAM Board of Directors. Denise will join the NAM Board to bolster the association’s leadership in policy advocacy, workforce solutions, legal action, operational excellence and news and insights. She will help the industry advance an agenda that promotes growth and prosperity for all Americans.
Founded in 1895, the NAM, guided by its Board of Directors, is the largest industrial trade association in the United States with more than 14,000 members and is the nation’s most influential advocate for manufacturing. The NAM’s membership includes some of the world’s most iconic brands and many of the small manufacturers that power the U.S. economy. Nearly ninety percent of the NAM’s members are small and medium-sized businesses.
The organization has become a “one-stop shop” for manufacturers, telling the story of manufacturers and equipping manufacturers with invaluable resources through our news and insights channels and partnerships with the Manufacturing Leadership Council and Manufacturing Institute.
The NAM and its members are at the forefront of every important policy debate for manufacturers and have led the nation’s response to COVID-19. The NAM has worked with member companies to mobilize personal protective equipment and other key resources. Manufacturers have come to the aid of the nation and continue operating safely to find cures and treatments, keeping us connected and supply food and other essential products. Executives on the NAM Board, which comprises leaders representing companies of all sizes in every industrial sector, are the driving force behind the NAM’s efforts.
“I am honored to be a part of the NAM Board,” said Rutherford. “This is an incredibly important time for manufacturers to work together and with a strong, respected industry association like NAM. By leveraging the collective wisdom and resources of our member companies and NAM, we have a stronger voice for the great work American manufacturing companies are doing to solve complex challenges in our workplaces and communities.”
Board members play a key role in the NAM’s “Creators Wanted” campaign, a member-driven initiative to inspire and drive more Americans to pursue careers in modern manufacturing. The campaign, which supports Manufacturing Institute programs for students, women, veterans and underrepresented communities and is punctuated by a mobile tour, seeks to cut the skills gap by 600,000 workers by 2025 and increase the number of students enrolling in technical schools, vocational schools and apprenticeships, as well as the number of parents who would encourage their children to pursue a career in modern manufacturing.
“Denise commands respect as a recognized leader in our industry, and the NAM will be stronger thanks to her service on our Board of Directors,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. “Throughout this pandemic, as in so many crises throughout our history, manufacturers have been part of the solution. As our country moves from the response phase, to recovery and ultimately long-term American renewal, manufacturers will continue to play a pivotal role in our communities. The NAM’s mission is to ensure we keep moving forward, and Denise will bring invaluable insights as we work to drive even more manufacturing growth in America, advocate for the men and women of our industry and advance our values of free enterprise, competitiveness, individual liberty and equal opportunity.”
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At 3M, we apply science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily. With $32 billion in sales, our 96,000 employees connect with customers all around the world. Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Twitter @3M or @3MNews.
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The National Association of Manufacturers 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 more than 12.1 million men and women, contributes $2.37 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for 63% of private-sector research and development. The NAM 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 NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.