Release Date: August 27, 2012

1. TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF MANUFACTURERS NAMES BENNETT
2. AS TRADE GROUP’S NEW PRESIDENT

Bennett Brings Unparalleled Depth of Experience, Vision and Drive to Tackle Industry’s Most Pressing Public Policy Concerns

AUSTIN, TEXAS – A manufacturing industry executive with wide ranging public policy experience, Tony Bennett will take the reins of the Texas Association of Manufacturers as its new president, the group’s board announced today.

“In Tony Bennett, we have found a president who fully appreciates the challenges and opportunities the manufacturing industry faces, including energy, tax, environment, transportation, workforce development and tort issues,” said Bill Oswald, Chairman of TAM. “While the manufacturing sector is on the rise in Texas, the Texas Association of Manufacturers knows the economic recovery is tenuous and fragile at best. Under Tony’s capable watch and leadership, TAM and its members will be positioned for long-term success.”

Bennett’s new position as president of the manufacturing trade association is also a homecoming of sorts. In 2005, Bennett served as the founding chairman of TAM, leading the industry’s efforts to establish a unified voice for the state’s manufacturing industry concerns at the Texas Capitol and in Washington, DC.

“There’s work to be done if we are to maintain Texas’ world-renowned dominance as a job creating powerhouse with one of the best business climates in the world,” said Bennett. “I’m ready to lead TAM forward and provide the necessary voice, vision and action our industry needs to succeed.”

“The manufacturing sector, which employs more than 838,000 Texans who earn on average 34 percent more than the rest of the Texas workforce, can continue to play a key role in our state’s and nation’s recovery,” Bennett added. “But, we need reliable access to affordable energy, a reasonable regulatory framework, a ready workforce, sound tax policy, and critical infrastructure to get the job done.”

In the upcoming Texas Legislative Session, TAM will continue to pursue an aggressive, expansive agenda, ensuring the collective voice of its 450-plus members of large and small companies from every industry sector is heard. Among the association’s key public policy priorities are to:

1. Preserve policy that keeps electricity affordable and ensures energy reliability;
2. Defend against excessive taxation on capital intensive businesses;
3. Advocate for educational rigor and flexibility to prepare the workforce Texas needs;
4. Protect smart-minded, nationally-recognized tort reforms that limit liability and curb frivolous lawsuits; and
5. Preserve Texas’ ability to attract and retain national and international manufacturing investments.

Bennett’s professional career spans 33 years in key federal, state and local government and public affairs. As a former executive at Temple-Inland, Bennett brings first-hand knowledge of the manufacturing industry’s government affairs and public policy concerns. In addition to being a co-founder of TAM in 2005, Bennett led the creation of the Texas Forest Industries Council in 1995 and has held leadership positions in a number of key manufacturing sector associations.

Connect with Bennett and the Texas Association of Manufacturers online atwww.manufacturetexas.org, on Facebook (TXManufacturers) and on Twitter(@TxManufacturers).

Media contact: Gretchen Fox, gfox@gfoxconsulting.com, 512-694-4326