Continue to Site

Ex-NAM president Trowbridge dies

Former U.S. Commerce Secretary and National Association of Manufacturers president Alexander B. “Sandy” Trowbridge died April 27 at his Washington DC home. Trowbridge was president of the NAM from 1979 to 1989. Before joining the NAM, Trowbridge served as vice chairman of Allied Chemical Corp.

By Staff May 1, 2006

Former U.S. Commerce Secretary and National Association of Manufacturers president Alexander B. “Sandy” Trowbridge died April 27 at his Washington DC home. Trowbridge was president of the NAM from 1979 to 1989. Before joining the NAM, Trowbridge served as vice chairman of Allied Chemical Corp., a predecessor of Allied-Signal, now known as Honeywell. He was president of the Conference Board in New York from 1970-76.

President Lyndon Johnson appointed Trowbridge, then 38 years old, to head the U.S. Department of Commerce in 1967, making him the youngest secretary in the agency’s history. Trowbridge served in the post from June 14, 1967 to March 1, 1968.

“From his service as the youngest Secretary of Commerce to his distinguished tenure leading the NAM, he always spoke up for jobs in America,” said current NAM president and CEO John Engler. “American workers and American business have lost a good friend.”