WASHINGTON-National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) President John Engler is applauding the unanimous Senate confirmation of William G. “Woody” Sutton to serve as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing and Services, sometimes referred to as the manufacturing “czar.”

WASHINGTON-National Association of Manufacturers(NAM) President John Engler is applauding the unanimous Senate confirmation of William G. “Woody” Sutton to serve as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing and Services, sometimes referred to as the manufacturing “czar.”

Sutton, a retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral, most recently served 5 years as president of the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute, the association that represents manufacturers of more than 90 percent of North American-produced central air conditioning and commercial refrigeration equipment. He has also served as an officer of the NAM’s Council of Manufacturing Associations, which plays a lead role in NAM policy development and legislative advocacy.

“President Bush could not have made a better choice for this important position,” Engler says. “Woody Sutton has a strong background in manufacturing and is extremely well qualified to serve as the federal government’s lead advocate for manufacturing. He has an exemplary reputation among industry and government leaders. We look forward to working with him as he assumes his new responsibilities.”

Sutton holds a Master of Science Degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Naval Engineering from the Unites State Naval Academy.