News

March 2010

Jay Timmons to Give the Opening Keynote Address

To open the Symposium program on Monday afternoon, Jay Timmons, Executive VP of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) will give the first Keynote address. In his position with NAM, the voice of US manufacturing, Timmons is one of the most influential manufacturing policy advocates in Washington, DC. He will discuss the government policies and legislative initiatives that will have the best and worst impact on your bottom line, including healthcare reform, energy policy, and climate change.

Jay Timmons oversees all policy development, communications, government relations and advocacy efforts in Washington, DC and around the country to advance the NAM agenda for jobs and economic growth in America.

During the 2004 election cycle, Mr. Timmons served as executive director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, appointed by US Senator George Allen. In this capacity, he was a member of the Senate Republican leadership staff, advising senators and their senior aides on policy and led successful efforts to strengthen the Republican majority in the US Senate to its largest margin since 1928.  He was chief of staff in Allen’s Senate office, where he managed the office and the legislative priorities of the Senator, who served as chairman of the US Senate High Tech Task Force and as a member of the Commerce, Small Business and Foreign Affairs Committees.

Prior to his work in the Senate, Mr. Timmons served as then-Governor Allen’s chief of staff, the youngest person in Virginia history to hold the position. In that role, he acted as the state’s chief operating officer, developing and implementing a $35-billion biennial budget with oversight of over 85,000 state employees in 70 agencies.  He was also chief of staff during Allen’s tenure in the US House and held senior management posts in Allen’s campaigns. Prior to that, he was deputy director of public affairs for the White House Conference on Information Services during the administration of President George H.W. Bush, communications field advisor for the Republican National Committee, communications director for Congressman Alex McMillan (R-NC) and press secretary and deputy transition director for Congressman and Governor-elect Jim Martin (R-NC).

Twice named one of Washington's "Fabulous 50 Movers and Shakers on Capitol Hill" by Roll Call newspaper, Mr. Timmons is chairman of the Washington Humane Society Board of Directors and is a passionate advocate for the adoption of companion animals. He is also a director on the Board of Local Finance Solutions, Inc. He attended The Ohio State University and now resides in McLean, VA.