Recognizing manufacturing’s value to Pennsylvania’s economy, Governor Tom Corbett announced today a Team Pennsylvania Foundation-led council to identify and prioritize top issues that can help influence, sustain and advance that sector in the commonwealth.

“Manufacturing adds more than $75 billion in value each year to our state’s economy,” Gov. Corbett said, “and it is paramount that we do all that we can to preserve and support that sector of our economy. The council will research issues and make recommendations that will further strengthen that industry and ultimately allow manufacturers to add jobs for Pennsylvanians.”

Matt Zieger, Team PA President and CEO, said the Governor’s Manufacturing Advisory Council consists of 24 members from a cross-section of manufacturing interests including heavy machinery, minerals, pharmaceuticals, plastics, steel and textiles. Zieger added the Foundation is funding the council and that no taxpayer dollars are being used to support this initiative.

“The council has a two-fold mission,” Zieger said. “They are being charged to determine regulatory or economic roadblocks that impede growth factors and to identify ways to market the attributes that make Pennsylvania a great place for manufacturers to do business.”

Co-Chaired by Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary C. Alan Walker and Carlos Cardoso, CEO, Kennametal, the council will conduct meetings over six months starting in January 2012.

The group will focus on specific subjects including: taxes and the regulatory climate in Pennsylvania; talent and innovation; international markets; energy costs; efficiency; and research and development.

The council will be charged with issuing a report to the Executive and Legislative branches that includes policy suggestions and a strategy to help Pennsylvania remain competitive in today’s global economy.

The council will also include three members of manufacturing trade associations and one from the Industrial Resource Center.

The council members are:

C. Alan Walker, (co-chair), Secretary, Department of Community and Economic Development, Harrisburg

Carlos Cardoso, (co-chair), Chairman, President and CEO, Kennametal Inc., Latrobe

Samuel “Pat” Black, President & CEO, Erie Management Group, Erie

David Barensfeld, President & CEO, Ellwood Group Inc., Ellwood City

Greg Booth, CEO, Zippo Manufacturing Company, Bradford

Heather Chandler, President, Sealstrip Corporation, Gilbertsville

Frank Epifano, CFO, sanofi pasteur, Swiftwater

Janis Herschkowitz, President, PRL Industries, Cornwall

Jeff Kelly, CEO, Hamil Manufacturing Company, Trafford

Todd Kennedy, President & CEO, McClarin Plastics, Hanover

Leroy “Tighe” King, Chairman & CEO, Perform Group LLC, York

Daniel Langdon, President, East Penn Manufacturing Co., Inc., Lyon Station

Michael McLanahan, Chairman & CEO, McLanahan Corporation, Holidaysburg

Louay Mishu, Plant Manager – Family Care, Proctor & Gamble, Mehoopany

Scott Meuser, Chairman & CEO, Pride Mobility Products Corp., Exeter

Michael Pearson, President, Union Packaging, Yeadon

Jim Rutkowski, Jr., Vice President, Industrial Sales & Manufacturing Inc., Erie

David Simpson, President, Diamond Manufacturing, Wyoming

Mike Williams, Senior Vice President, United States Steel, Pittsburgh

Helen Yost, President, The Rowland Company, Philadelphia

Trade Associations:

Ralph Pontillo, President, Manufacturer and Business Association, Erie

David Taylor, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Manufacturer’s Association, Harrisburg

Darlene Robbins, President, NE PA Manufacturer’s and Employers Association, Pottsville

Industrial Resource Center:

Jack E. Pfunder, President and CEO, Manufacturer’s Resource Center, Bethlehem

Earlier this year, Pennsylvania was one of seven states selected to participate in a program designed to spur even greater innovation and entrepreneurship in advanced manufacturing.

Team PA and state officials attended the National Governors Association’s policy academy to discuss and receive feedback on best practices in developing and implementing successful economic development strategies for the manufacturing industry.

Read the full story on that collaborative effort on behalf of the manufacturing sector here.