The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) today announced that Michael R. Gambrell, Executive Vice President of Manufacturing & Engineering Operations for The Dow Chemical Company, has been appointed by Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke to the U.S. Department of Commerce's Manufacturing Council.
â??Now more than ever, the U.S. needs an advanced manufacturing plan to restore America's global manufacturing competitiveness and to incentivize more businesses to create the jobs of the future in this nation,â? said Andrew Liveris, Dow Chairman and CEO. â??Effective partnership between industry and government is essential to developing strategic and sustainable solutions for America's future. Mike Gambrell's appointment to this council is another important step toward solidifying that partnership.â?
Through this appointment, Gambrell joins labor leaders, CEOs, and top executives from other leading U.S. manufacturing companies in advising the Secretary of Commerce on matters relating to the competitiveness of the U.S. manufacturing sector.
â??A vibrant manufacturing sector isn't just critical for the millions of Americans whose jobs depend on it,â? Locke said. â??Manufacturing is absolutely central to driving the innovation that fuels the American economy."
The Manufacturing and Services division of the International Trade Administration will oversee the administration of the Council, which will provide a forum for regular communication between Government and the manufacturing sector.
â??No industry sector contributes more to this nation's economy than manufacturing,â? Gambrell said. â??Dow has over 110 years of experience in driving innovation, job growth and community success through manufacturing. We aim to bring that experience to bear for the benefit of all Americans through our participation on this Manufacturing Council.â?
About Mike Gambrell
Gambrell is a member of Dow's Executive Leadership Committee, which is responsible for corporate strategy and financial performance. He also is a member of the Company's Strategy Board, Dow's Geographic Leadership Council, and the Sustainability team within Dow. He is an ex officio member of the Environment Health & Safety Committee of Dow's Board of Directors.
Gambrell currently serves on the Board of Directors of TRW Automotive Holding Corp and is a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors for the National Association of Manufacturers. He is also a member of the University of Michigan Engineering Advisory Council. In addition, Gambrell is a distinguished Director Emeritus of the U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC), after having served a three-year term on the USIBC Board of Directors.
Gambrell joined Dow in 1976 as a Chemical Engineer in Research and Development in Midland, Michigan. He held a variety of manufacturing and engineering positions between 1979 and 1988. In 1989, he was named Business Director for the North America Chlor-Alkali Assets Business and in 1992, was named General Manager for the Plastic Lined Pipe Business. In 1994, he was named Vice President of Operations for Latin America. He returned to the U.S. in 1996 as Corporate Director for Technology Centers and Global Process Engineering and was named Global Business Director of the Chlor-Alkali Assets Business in 1998. In 2000, he was named Business Vice President for EDC/VCM & ECU Management and in 2003 was named Business Vice President for the Chlor-Vinyl Business. He was named Senior Vice President for Chemicals and Intermediates Division in 2003. Gambrell was named Executive Vice President of Basic Plastics and Chemicals Portfolio in September 2005, responsible for the company's asset light strategy in addition to executive oversight responsibilities for India, Middle East and Africa Region. In 2007, Gambrell added responsibility for the Company's Manufacturing & Engineering organization. In 2008, he assumed functional responsibility for Manufacturing & Engineering Operations. Prior to joining Dow, Gambrell received a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana. In 1996, he was recognized by Rose-Hulman with the Career Achievement Award.
