This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Feb. 1, 2011 - WASHINGTON - Former Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt was named Tuesday as the new president of the American Automotive Policy Council (AAPC), a trade group that represents the policy interests of the Big Three U.S.-based automakers.
Blunt told the Beacon that he was excited to lead the AAPC at a time when the nation's auto industry is being revived. "We want to expand the AAPC's domestic profile and ensure that the collective voice of American auto manufacturers is heard on issues like CAFE [fleet fuel economy] standards, safety, research and development incentives -- all those sorts of things that really lead to a vibrant manufacturing base in the United States and that are particularly important to auto manufacturers."
Describing his new job as "an opportunity to advocate on public policy that's important to me and important to Missouri," Blunt said "it appealed to me to lead an organization that intends to grow and become more vibrant in the coming years."
Blunt, 40, a Republican, served as Missouri's 54th governor from 2005 to 2009, but did not seek a second term. Since them, he has been associated with former Missouri governor and U.S. senator John D. Ashcroft's Washington-based consulting firm, The Ashcroft Group LLC. He also has been an adviser to other financial and governmental affairs firms and served on the board of directors of Copart, an online auto auction firm.
Matt Blunt is a son of U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., who issued a statement saying that "Matt will concentrate on protecting and creating American jobs in his new role, and he'll work as hard at those important goals as he does at everything else he tackles."
Added Sen. Blunt: "Automotive manufacturing is a significant part of Missouri's economy. As the former Governor of Missouri, Matt certainly understands that, and we all understand how important it is that we stay focused on private sector job creation."
Matt Blunt's connections to Missouri -- one of the nation's top states for producing autos and car components -- was a major reason cited by AAPC board members in explaining their selection of Blunt.
"Missouri is host to large automotive investments, and Governor Blunt worked to help bolster and strengthen the industry during the most recent economic crisis," said Bob Ferguson, vice president for government relations for General Motors Co. "He fundamentally understands the importance of American manufacturing to a growing economy."
Pete Lawson, Ford Motor Co.'s vice president of government relations, said in a statement that Blunt "will be a tremendous asset to the organization." He said Blunt's job will be to "lead AAPC and to further the interests of its member companies, which are critical to the manufacturing and economic interests of the United States."
The Chrysler Group's representative on the AAPC board, Kathleen Hennessey, said Blunt "knows firsthand the significant contribution of auto manufacturing to America's economic prospects." She said he would help the organization "navigate the complex policy issues here and abroad that can support a healthy, vibrant domestic auto industry."
Blunt succeeds former AAPC president Steve Collins, who retired in October. Another prominent AAPC employee with Capitol Hill connections is Debbie Dingell, the wife of U.S. Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., who leads the trade group's efforts related to labor relations, grassroots, and the development and management of coalitions on a range of issues, including manufacturing initiatives. Jim Doyle, a former policy adviser to President Bill Clinton, is also associated with AAPC.
Blunt, who has been working out of Springfield, Mo., said he would be moving to Washington for his new job and moving his family there as soon as feasible.
In representing the Big Three U.S.-based auto companies, the AAPC focuses mainly on international trade and economic policy. In recent years, the trade group also has supported some domestic policy initiatives, including the 'Manufacturing in America' initiative and taking positions on energy and global climate proposals.