NAM-PAC Hosts First Event for Friends of Manufacturing
The National Association of Manufacturers had the kickoff event last night for their new federal PAC,
National Association of Manufacturers
had the kickoff event last night for their new federal PAC, NAM-PAC. Matt Lavoie, a NAM spokesperson, said the event was a strong start for their new federal PAC program.
NAM-PAC
NAM is the nation’s largest industrial trade association. Over the years it has encouraged companies to establish their own federal PACS, but this is the start of NAM’s own PAC operation. NAM has more than 12,000 manufacturing companies as members. The goal of the PAC is to act as a coordinator of about a dozen fundraising events during the year, hosting members of Congress who are “friends of manufacturing.” Contributions from individuals would not be given to the PAC, but given directly to the candidates.
The NAM-PAC kickoff event was a reception for the 400-500 NAM members who are in town for NAM’s annual Manufacturing Summit. Members will be trooping to Capitol Hill today to talk with members of Congress and promote a pro-manufacturing legislative agenda for the 113th Congress.
The reception hosted Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del. Coons had been a NAM member when he was with the W.L. Gore Company. He also served on NAM’s public affairs committee. Last year, Coons spoke at NAM’s annual fly-in. Coons sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee and its subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, as well as the subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law. Coons also sits on the Senate Budget Committee, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and the Foreign Relations Committee.
Sen. Chris Coons
The president and CEO of NAM is
Jay Timmons
, who has been with NAM since 2005. He had been chief of staff to Virginia Republican George Allen, a former governor, senator and congressman. He also served as executive director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee during the 2004 election.
The PAC program will be led by
Ned Monroe
, senior vice president for for external relations. Monroe had previously been vice president of political affairs at the National Restaurant Association; national director of political affairs for the Associated Builders and Contractors; and president of the National Association of Business PACs. The PAC treasurer is Richard Klein.
The PAC registered at the beginning of the year, and its first-quarter report showed $7,700 in receipts. Timmons was the major donor, giving $5,000 on Feb. 1.
