TAFT APPOINTS McGREGOR CHAIRMAN OF THE MANUFACTURING WORKFORCE ADVISORY COUNCIL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 6, 2004

Columbus, OH -- Governor Bob Taft today appointed James B. McGregor, Sr., as chair of the Manufacturing Workforce Advisory Council.

“Ohio’s manufacturing sector provides 850,000 good jobs in the state, and we must continue to assure the advancement and growth of the industry,” said Governor Taft. “Jim’s expertise in the manufacturing industry makes him an excellent choice to lead this advisory council.”

Governor Taft announced the creation of the Manufacturing Workforce Advisory Council at the Ohio Manufacturing Summit in December 2003. The Council will assess the industry’s current and future needs, reduce workforce barriers and align state funds to support the workforce needs of Ohio manufacturers. The Governor is expected to make appointments to the Council within the next few weeks.

In 2002, McGregor was appointed to the Springfield-Clark County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Last year, he was the recipient of the Excellence in Leadership Award presented by the Precision Manufacturing Association. McGregor is an active member of the Precision Metalforming Association and the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, and was past president and a current Executive Committee member of the National Institute for Metal Working Skills, Inc. McGregor previously served on the Governor’s Business Education Advisory Board and the Ohio Workforce Development Board.

McGregor is president of Morgal Machine Tool Company, Ohio Stamping & Machine, Rose City Manufacturing and Carmichael Machine in Springfield. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati and an Associate’s Degree in Science.