IPC's Government Relations Steering Committee made stronger with addition of two industry leaders

IPC announces two industry executives have been added to the Government Relations (GR) Steering Committee. 

They are:
--  Doug Bartlett, President, Bartlett Manufacturing
--  Mark Jankowski, Vice President, Americas, MacDermid Inc.
 
The GR Steering Committee, comprised of 14 industry volunteers, meets at least three times a year and works to further IPC members' interests by promoting policies to foster economic growth and job creation and to enhance the international competitiveness of  all sectors of the U.S. electronic interconnection industry.  The Committee addresses a range of issues that affect IPC member companies in the areas of tax, trade, technology research and development, and other issues as determined by committee members.

"Both of these industry leaders are strong proponents for creating a level international playing field for U.S.-based manufacturers.  I welcome them to the GR committee and look forward to working with them both to meet the needs of the industry," says Government Relations Committee Chairman Dan Feinberg, president of Fein-Line Associates. 

The GR Steering Committee is also responsible for planning IPC's Capitol Hill Day and regional events such as IPC's California Circuits Association Sacramento Lobby Day.  Feinberg notes, "Mark and Doug have offered to play a leadership role in establishing state level lobbying efforts similar to the successful IPC/CCA sponsored Sacramento Day in the states where their companies are located."

To date, the committee's efforts have focused on leveling the playing field through strict enforcement of international trade rules, particularly in addressing the inequity of China's undervalued currency.  The committee has also taken the lead to create the Department of Defense's Emerging/Critical Interconnect Technology (E/CIT) program with $6 million in congressionally provided funding.  In addition, the group successfully advocated for enhanced tax depreciation relief and the recently passed domestic production tax credit for U.S. manufacturers.

For more information on the IPC Government Relations Steering Committee, contact John Kania, IPC director of government relations at 202-962-0460 or jkania@ipc.org