NAM: Jerry Jasinowski a Force for Good in Our Nation’s Capital
Industry Honors Legacy of Manufacturing Leader and Visionary
Washington, D.C. – National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement on the passing of Jerry Jasinowski, former NAM president and CEO (1990–2004) and former president of the Manufacturing Institute, the NAM’s 501(c)3 workforce development and education affiliate:
“For decades, Jerry Jasinowski was a force for good in our nation’s capital, a champion for policies that created economic opportunity, a standard-bearer for the industry and an advocate for the manufacturing workforce of America.
“Jerry guided the NAM through some of the most consequential policy debates and economic shifts of the era, shaping the post-Cold War economy. As lawmakers debated history-making agreements like NAFTA and the Trade Promotion Authority Act, they turned to Jerry for expertise and insight. When recession hit in the early 1990s and early 2000s, his steady advocacy helped guide the nation and the industry toward recovery, and his political and media savvy shaped public perceptions of manufacturing. He was a persistent and persuasive voice, not only in the halls of power, but on the air and on America’s editorial pages.
“As Jerry led the industry through a time of transformation, he also transformed the NAM for the better. He elevated the voices of America’s small and medium-sized manufacturers, allowing them to tell their stories directly to members of Congress and giving them a larger role in shaping the direction of the association. Many of America’s small and family-owned manufacturers are the leading voices in today’s most consequential debates on taxes, regulations and more. That, too, is a result of Jerry’s foresight.
“Jerry had the vision to recognize the need to build the manufacturing workforce of tomorrow, and under his leadership, the Manufacturing Institute was created. It became one of his proudest accomplishments and is undoubtedly a cornerstone of his legacy. Today, the MI is the authority on talent in manufacturing, providing recruitment and retention strategies to companies nationwide.
“Through numerous innovative programs, the MI is engaging students as early as middle and high school, recruiting women into manufacturing careers, leading apprenticeship and job training programs, helping veterans transition into the industry and creating opportunities through second-chance programs for individuals reentering the workforce. Its rapid and continued growth and the lives it has changed are a testament to the wisdom of Jerry’s vision.
“From his earlier days as a senior economic adviser to former President Jimmy Carter to his later years as an author and columnist, Jerry spent a career in the spotlight, working alongside and counseling presidents, chief executives and media personalities. But his focus remained steadfast—empowering the people who make things in America and improving livelihoods for all.
“The NAM today mourns the loss of a beloved former leader, whose vision and example we still revere today. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Isabel, and to his entire family and all his loved ones, and we make a commitment to celebrate and advance his legacy. After all, his legacy is a stronger, more engaged, more respected manufacturing industry in America.”
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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 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 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.