New NAM chairman

Charles E. (Chuck) Bunch, chairman and CEO of of Pittsburgh-based PPG Industries, Inc. will serve as chairman of the National Association of Manufacturers. Bunch's two-year term begins Jan. 1, 2007. PPG is a global supplier of coatings, chemicals, optical products glass and fiber glass, with 110 manufacturing facilities and affiliates in more than 20 countries.

By Staff November 1, 2006

Charles E. (Chuck) Bunch , chairman and CEO of of Pittsburgh-based PPG Industries, Inc. will serve as chairman of the National Association of Manufacturers. Bunch’s two-year term begins Jan. 1, 2007. PPG is a global supplier of coatings, chemicals, optical products glass and fiber glass, with 110 manufacturing facilities and affiliates in more than 20 countries.

Bunch succeeds John Luke, chairman and CEO of MeadWestvaco Corporation, who has led the NAM board since Oct. 1, 2005. Luke was the first NAM chairman to serve a two year term after the NAM board decided to have chairman’s terms coincide with Congressional terms.

Bunch was elected senior vice president of strategic planning and corporate services for PPG in 1997, and executive vice president, coatings, in 2000. In July 2002, Bunch was named president, chief operating officer and board member, becoming chief executive officer in March 2005, and taking his current post in July 2005.

Bunch said his goals as NAM chairman are to help reduce the costs of manufacturing in the U.S., particularly on issues such as energy prices, taxes, and litigation. He said there is a need to improve U.S. infrastructure and to fill the skills gap shortage among American manufacturing workers.

“The NAM is indeed fortunate to have a leader of Chuck Bunch’s stature as chairman,” said NAM President John Engler. “Chuck is well known throughout the business community as an inspired manager and visionary leader. We all look forward to his chairmanship.”

Michael E. Campbell, chairman, president and CEO of Arch Chemicals, Inc., of Norwalk, CT will service as NAM vice chairman and will succeed Bunch for a two-year term as chairman. Arch Chemicals is a global biocides company with $1.3 billion in annual sales.