President Obama has appointed Ron Bloom as the White House Senior Counselor for Manufacturing Policy.  Mr. Bloom is well known to be a strong advocate for the retention and further development of what has historically been a key element to this country’s success – our strong manufacturing know-how and base.  His feeling is that we need to quit simply “jaw-boning” about retaining onshore manufacturing capabilities and start taking positive actions to maintain this valuable asset of American enterprise.

And, this is a man who actually walks the walk.  After working for Lazard Freres and then starting his own investment firm specializing in restructuring North American manufacturing companies, Bloom walked away from his firm in a renewed effort to support U.S. manufacturing.  He has spent the last decade working as a special assistant to Leo Gerard, the President of the United Steelworkers.  As Gerard stated, “He walked away from investment banking because of his values and commitment to manufacturing…..He really believes that you can’t have a successful economy unless you have a strong manufacturing sector.”

Of equal value is Bloom’s personal history in assisting in the restructuring of over 50 companies.  This has provided him with invaluable insight into what it takes for a manufacturing firm to be successful; real world experience at a time when it carries the greatest of premiums.  Robert Baugh, executive director of the AFL-CIO Industrial Union Council stated that he felt the appointment of Ron Bloom to the position of Senior Counselor for Manufacturing Policy is “the best thing that could have happened for manufacturing.”

It’s great to know that we finally have a strong advocate for American Manufacturing with access to the President.  Perhaps now, we will start to see positive actions out of Washington to insure the continued presence, success and growth of manufacturing enterprises within our borders along with the employment that such growth promises.