Business Operations

The NAM Board of Directors has reelected Trane Technologies Chairman and CEO Mike Lamach as its chairman and Dow Chairman and CEO Jim Fitterling as vice chair.

Lamach and Fitterling provided stalwart leadership during an extraordinarily difficult year. Under their guidance, the NAM achieved notable successes, ensuring that policymakers accounted for the industry’s needs and helping to make the production of masks, vaccines and other vital supplies possible.

And that’s not even the half of it. Here are some of the highlights from the NAM’s past year:

• COVID-19 response: Our “American Renewal Action Plan” shaped legislation and administrative action to get manufacturers the support they needed. The NAM team’s advocacy secured more than six dozen policy accomplishments.
• PPE production: Our Creators Respond initiative helped send millions of pieces of personal protective equipment and other medical supplies to hospitals and health facilities—and after the election, the NAM worked with the Biden transition team to share insights on PPE production and distribution.
• Workforce development: The Manufacturing Institute’s initiatives, including Heroes MAKE America, the STEP Women’s Initiative and the FAME apprenticeship program, strengthened manufacturing’s workforce pipeline and helped close the skills gap.
• Legal victories: The NAM led the business community in court on issues like protecting vital immigration and standing up against regulatory overreach.
• Fight for opportunity: Through our Pledge for Action, the NAM has committed our sector to taking 50,000 tangible actions to increase equity and parity for underrepresented communities and creating 300,000 pathways to job opportunities for Black people and all people of color.

A look ahead: With Lamach and Fitterling at the helm and an exceptional team in place, the NAM is poised to expand on its successes over the past year and continue to strengthen manufacturing across the country. Already, the NAM is working closely with the new administration and Congress to make sure manufacturers’ voices are heard. To learn more about the breadth of the NAM’s policy agenda, read its newly updated blueprint “Competing to Win.”

Small and medium-sized manufacturers: Meanwhile, the current chair of the NAM’s small and medium-sized manufacturers’ group, BTE Technologies President Chuck Wetherington, will also serve another two years in his position. Ketchie President and Owner Courtney Ketchie Silver will replace retiring Protolabs President and CEO Vicki Holt as vice chair.

The last word: “Today more than ever, manufacturers are the arsenal of democracy. In our nation’s time of need, manufacturers have stepped up and manned the front lines to provide essential goods for the American people. With Mike and Jim’s sound guidance and experience, the NAM will continue to be a leading voice for the business community during these unprecedented times,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons.

“Our board leaders will also help our industry lead America’s recovery and renewal—helping to strengthen and unify our nation during extraordinary times. And above all, we will advance the values that make America exceptional: free enterprise, competitiveness, individual liberty and equal opportunity.”