Manufacturing Leader Joins NAM Board of Directors

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) announced that James F. Stern, executive vice president, general counsel and secretary of A. O. Smith Corporation, has been elected to the NAM Board of Directors. Stern will join the NAM Board to advance a robust, pro-growth manufacturing policy agenda.

Executives on the NAM Board, which comprises more than 200 manufacturing leaders and represents companies of all sizes in every industrial sector, are the driving force behind the NAM's advocacy efforts to make the manufacturing comeback in America a reality. The NAM is at the forefront of federal policy debates that affect manufacturers and the 12 million men and women who make up our workforce.

"Jim brings a wealth of business knowledge to the NAM Board of Directors, particularly in legal, strategy, compliance and government affairs," said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. "As a leader in his community and industry, Jim has proven time and again that he is an important part of a new era in manufacturing, helping keep a company celebrating its 140th anniversary on the cutting edge. He will serve a valuable role in setting the manufacturing agenda and driving pro-growth policies."

Stern joined A. O. Smith Corporation in 2007 and serves on the senior leadership team of the global water technology company. His responsibilities include management of legal, compliance and government affairs throughout the company's worldwide operations, and he focuses heavily on strategy and corporate development.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Jason Industries, Inc., a global manufacturer with four segments: seating, furnishing, components and automotive acoustics. Stern also serves on the Board of Directors of the Fleck Foundation, a Milwaukee-based charitable organization focused on inner-city schools and transitional housing, and the Milwaukee Archdiocese, where he also serves on its Executive Committee.

Stern graduated from the University of Notre Dame (B.A.), Northwestern University School of Law (J.D.) and the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School.

About The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12 million men and women, contributes $2.08 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for two-thirds of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

About A. O. Smith Corp.

A. O. Smith Corporation, with headquarters in Milwaukee, Wis., is a global leader applying innovative technology and energy-efficient solutions to products marketed worldwide. The company, which is celebrating its 140th anniversary in 2014, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment, as well as a manufacturer of water purification products.  Visit www.aosmith.com for more information about the corporation or www.hotwater.com for product information.

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SOURCE A. O. Smith Corporation