Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced the establishment of the Ohio Auto Industry Support Council, a public-private partnership charged with assisting Ohio businesses, workers and communities to develop and implement coordinated strategies aimed at stabilizing and growing the auto industry.

 

“The automotive industry will continue to drive Ohio’s economy,” said Strickland.  “Now more than ever, we need a unified, coordinated approach to support and strengthen Ohio’s auto sector.  The Ohio Auto Industry Support Council will work to assist our auto businesses up and down the supply chain, to support workers who deserve a more certain future, and to partner with our automotive communities as they respond to the impacts of the automotive crisis at the local level.”

 

The governor appointed representatives from manufacturing and labor organizations to serve as co-chairs of the Council:  Eric Burkland, president of the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, and Ken Lortz, director of Ohio’s United Auto Workers Region 2B.

 

“Ohio’s auto workers and the communities in which they reside are bearing the brunt of the nation’s economic instability,” said Lortz.  “Ohio’s workforce is second to none.  To keep it that way we have to work together to provide the training and support that will bring relief to our struggling workers and recovery to our communities.”

 

“Ohio has the nation’s broadest and deepest automotive supply chain,” said Burkland.  “Auto manufacturing is not only Ohio’s past, it is Ohio’s future.  Ohio needs to position itself as the premier hub of automotive manufacturing and lead the industry transition.”

 

The Council will be comprised of voluntary members including the co-chairs; the Directors of the departments of Development and Job and Family Services and the Chancellor of the Board of Regents; individuals with expertise in worker retraining, industry transition and community stability; a representative of auto dealers; and one legislator recommended by each of the four legislative leaders.  The Council will also closely coordinate its activities with the General Assembly’s Joint Select Committee on the Auto Industry.

 

 

Co-Chairs Appoint President and Fiscal Agent

 

The co-chairs named Dennis L. Wojtanowski president of the new Ohio Auto Council.  As president, Wojtanowski will lead the efforts to stabilize and strengthen Ohio’s auto sector.

 

“I can’t think of a stronger individual to lead this important effort,” Strickland said.  “Denny has my full support, and I look forward to working closely with him in the weeks and months ahead to develop the coordinated strategies that will preserve and grow Ohio’s auto industry.”

 

Wojtanowski served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1975-1981 and as executive assistant for legislative affairs under Governor Richard Celeste.  He was chairman and CEO of the Success Group.  He has served on a number of boards and foundations, including the government affairs steering committee of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, the visiting committee of the College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University, and the Ohio Arts Council.  He has also served as a national board member of the Camphill Foundation.

 

“I’m honored to take on this responsibility and will begin our critical work immediately to support Ohio’s communities, workers and this great industry in these uncertain economic times,” said Wojtanowski. 

 

Wojtanowski’s first official act will be joining Governor Strickland in Detroit today and Thursday during his quarterly meetings with the Big 3 automakers.

 

The Center for Community Solutions has volunteered to serve as the Ohio Auto Council’s fiscal agent to receive and manage monetary donations to the council and make expenditures from any such donations as it deems appropriate.  The OMA, UAW and the Center for Community Solutions have committed funds to support the Council’s work.  CCS is also making two senior staff members available to assist the project, Senior Fellow John Habat and Fellow George Coulter, and will retain Wojtanowski on a contract basis, providing his compensation and expenses.

 

Click here to download a full copy of Executive Order 2009-14S