[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 175 (Wednesday, September 10, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53695-53696]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-21513]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Manufacturing Council

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of Renewal of and Opportunity To Apply for Membership on 
the Manufacturing Council.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce announces the renewal of the 
Manufacturing Council (Council) and is currently seeking applications 
for appointment of up to 30 members of the Council for a two-year term 
to begin in December 2014. The purpose of the Council is to advise the 
Secretary of Commerce on matters relating to the U.S. manufacturing 
sector and to provide regular communication between Government and the 
manufacturing sector.
    The Industry and Analysis unit of the International Trade 
Administration oversees the administration of the Council and 
collaborates with Congress and other stakeholders to increase the 
global competitiveness of the U.S. manufacturing sector.

ADDRESSES: Please submit applications via email [email protected] or by mail 
to Office of Advisory Committees and Industry Outreach, Manufacturing 
Council Executive Secretariat, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 4043, 
1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230.

DATES:  All applications for immediate consideration for appointment 
must be received by the Office of Advisory Committees and Industry 
Outreach by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on Tuesday, October 
14, 2014. After that date, ITA will continue to accept applications 
under this notice for a period of up to two years from the deadline to 
fill any vacancies that may arise.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Office of Advisory Committees and 
Industry Outreach, Manufacturing Council Executive Secretariat, Room 
4043, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230, telephone: 
202-482-4501, email: [email protected].
    Additional information is also available on the Manufacturing 
Council Web site at http://trade.gov/manufacturingcouncil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Advisory Committees and 
Industry Outreach is accepting applications for 30 positions on the 
Council for a two-year term beginning in December of

[[Page 53696]]

2014. The Department renewed the Council charter on April 5, 2014 for 
an additional two years pursuant to the Department of Commerce 
authority under 15 U.S.C. 1512 and the Federal Advisory Committee Act 
(FACA), as amended, 5 U.S.C. App.
    The Council advises the Secretary of Commerce on matters relating 
to the U.S. manufacturing industry, including on government policies 
and programs that affect the U.S. manufacturing industry and 
identifying and recommending programs and policies to help United 
States manufacturers maintain competitiveness both at home and abroad.
    The Council provides a means of ensuring regular contact between 
the U.S. Government and the manufacturing sector, acting as a liaison 
among the stakeholders represented by the membership, and may provide a 
forum for those stakeholders on current and emerging issues in the 
manufacturing sector. The Council shall recommend ways to ensure that 
the United States remains the preeminent destination for investment in 
manufacturing throughout the world.
    The Council shall report to the Secretary on its activities and 
recommendations regarding United States manufacturing. In creating the 
reports, the Council should: survey and evaluate the manufacturing 
activities of the stakeholders represented by the membership; identify 
and examine specific problems facing the manufacturing industry; 
examine the needs of the industry to inform the Council's efforts; and 
recommend specific solutions to these problems and needs.
    The Council functions solely as an advisory committee in accordance 
with the provisions of FACA.
    Members will be selected in accordance with applicable Department 
of Commerce guidelines based on each individual's ability to advise the 
Secretary of Commerce on matters relating to the U.S. manufacturing 
sector, to act as a liaison among the stakeholders represented by the 
membership, and to represent the viewpoint of those stakeholders on 
current and emerging issues in the manufacturing sector. In assessing 
this ability, the Department will consider such factors as, but not 
limited to, the candidate's proven experience in promoting, developing 
and marketing programs in support of manufacturing industries, job 
creation in the manufacturing sector, and the candidate's proven 
abilities to manage manufacturing organizations. Given the duties and 
objectives of the Council, the Department particularly seeks applicants 
who are active manufacturing executives (Chief Executive Officer, 
President, or a comparable level of responsibility) who are leaders 
within their local manufacturing communities and industry sectors. The 
Council's membership shall reflect the diversity of American 
manufacturing by representing a balanced cross-section of the U.S. 
manufacturing industry in terms of industry sectors, geographic 
locations, demographics, and company size, particularly seeking the 
representation of small- and medium-sized enterprises.
    The Secretary of Commerce appoints all Council members. All Council 
members serve at the discretion of the Secretary of Commerce. Council 
members shall serve in a representative capacity, representing the 
views and interests of a U.S. entity in the manufacturing industry and 
its particular sector. For the purposes of eligibility, a U.S. entity 
is defined as a firm incorporated in the United States (or an 
unincorporated firm with its principal place of business in the United 
States) that is (a) majority controlled (more than 50% ownership 
interest and/or voting stock) by U.S. citizens or by another U.S. 
entity or (b) majority controlled (more than 50% ownership interest 
and/or voting stock) directly or indirectly by a foreign parent 
company.
    Because Council members serve in a representative capacity, 
expressing the views and interests of a U.S. entity, they are therefore 
not Special Government Employees. Council members receive no 
compensation for their participation in Council activities. Members 
participating in Council meetings and events are responsible for their 
travel, living and other personal expenses. Meetings are held regularly 
and not less than annually, usually in Washington, DC. Members are 
required to attend a majority of the Council's meetings.
    To be considered for membership, an applicant must provide the 
following information, statements and documents. Incomplete 
applications cannot be considered.
    1. Name and title of the individual requesting consideration.
    2. A sponsor letter from the applicant on his or her entity's 
letterhead containing a brief statement of why the applicant should be 
considered for membership on the Council. This sponsor letter should 
also address the applicant's manufacturing-related experience, 
including any manufacturing trade policy experience.
    3. The applicant's personal resume.
    4. An affirmative statement that the applicant meets all 
eligibility criteria.
    5. An affirmative statement that the applicant is not required to 
register as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act 
of 1938, as amended.
    6. Information regarding the ownership and control of the entity to 
be represented, including the governing structure and stock holdings, 
as appropriate, demonstrating compliance with the criteria set forth 
above.
    7. The entity's size, place of incorporation or principal place of 
business, additional manufacturing, innovation and R&D locations, 
product line, major markets in which the entity operates, and the 
entity's exporting experience.
    8. Information on the challenges the entity faces in staying 
competitive as a U.S. manufacturer, and the priorities the entity would 
hope to see the Council address during the term.
    9. All relevant contact information, including mailing address, 
fax, email, phone number, and support staff information where relevant.

    Dated: September 4, 2014.
Jennifer Pilat,
Office of Advisory Committees and Industry Outreach.
[FR Doc. 2014-21513 Filed 9-9-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P