Dow, Ford CEOs among execs named to lead Export Council subcommittees

The chairman and vice chairman of the President's Export Council – Boeing CEO Jim McNerney and Xerox CEO Ursula Burns – on September 9 announced the names of business and union leaders who have agreed to lead the council's five subcommittees.

"The individuals who have stepped forward to lead the subcommittees are outstanding leaders who will bring innovative thinking to the council's deliberations and help us deliver and promote a set of solid recommendations for realizing America's export potential," McNerney said.

 The subcommittee leaders are as follows:

• Andrew Liveris, CEO, Dow Chemical, will chair the Global Competitiveness Subcommittee, with a focus on trade, investment and regulatory and tax policies that impact competitiveness, including the free trade agreements pending before Congress. Jeff Kindler, CEO, Pfizer, will serve as vice chairman.
• Alan Mulally, CEO, Ford Motor Company; Richard Friedman, CEO, Carpenter & Company Inc.; and Patricia Woertz, CEO, Archer Daniels Midland, will co-chair the Manufacturing, Services & Agriculture Subcommittee, with a focus on sector-specific policies for enhancing exports, including initiatives U.S. embassies might take to promote tourism to the United States.
• Bill Hite, general president, United Association, will chair the Workforce Readiness Subcommittee, with a focus that includes education, and attracting and improving workplace skill sets, including initiatives to train returning veterans in needed science, technology and math skills.
• Scott Davis, CEO, UPS, will chair the Export Promotion & Advocacy Subcommittee, with a focus on U.S. government promotional activities such as commercial advocacy, export finance and export promotion activities. Robert Mandell, CEO, Greater Properties, will serve as vice chairman.
• Gene Hale, CEO, G&C Equipment Corporation, will chair the Small & Medium Size Business Engagement Subcommittee, with a focus on policies to help small and medium-size businesses expand internationally. Raul Pedraza, CEO, Magno International, will serve as vice chairman, as well as continue as chairman of the Subcommittee on Export Administration (chartered separately but linked to the President's Export Council).

The council, whose mission is to formulate and advance recommendations for doubling U.S. exports over the next five years, will hold its first formal session on September 16.