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08.06.2007
EXCOM MEETS WITH HIGH OFFICIALS FROM THE US
by Secretary-general Mr. J.W.B. Baron van Till:
Prior to its meeting at Washington D.C. on 4 May 2007, the ExCom met with Mr. Patrick Cleary of NAM and other high officials from the US Governement, Trade Organisations and the University world.
One of the speakers was Mr. Patrick Kilbridge who spoke about the Federal Governments’ outreach activity related to Trade Policy. Mr. Kilbridge is Director for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Liaison, Office of the US Trade Representative. In that role he works with 27 Federal Advisory Committees that provide advice on trade negotiations to the US Trade Representative. Mr. Michael Sommers gave a presentation on the political developments in the US and the anticipated consequences for the US Trade.
Mr. Sommers serves as Policy Director for House Republican Leader John Boenher since February w006. In this capacity, Mr. Sommers advises the Republican Leader on all matters before the House of Representatives and coordinates policy among the Committees of the House of Representatives, Members of Congress and the Executive Branch. Prior to joining the office of the Republican Leader, Mr. Sommers served as Special Assistant to President George W. Bush at the National Economic Council in the White House. In this capacity, Mr. Sommers advised the US President on agriculture, trade and food policy.
Mr. Harry Buzzerd, Jr., CAE spoke about the Process Equipment Manufacturers Association which he serves as Management Counsel (PEMA). The PEMA represents manufacturers of process equipment in a wide variety of applications. The association provides the network for top industry executives to monitor industry trends and learn how to survive in a global economy. Member companies serve many industries, including: food processing, chemical processing, pharmaceutical, pulp and paper, building products, metal processing and others (www.permanet.org).
The members of the Executive Committee also had the opportunity to have talks with Dr. Dan McQuiston, Associate Professor and Marketing Area Coordinator at Butler University. Dr. McQuiston is the Director of Education for the Manufacturers Representatives Educational Research Foundation (MRERF).