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This in via e-mail from the office of Governor Ted Strickland:

Governor Establishes Ohio Auto Industry Support Council

Council Co-Chairs Appoint President of Auto Council

Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced the establishment of the Ohio Auto Industry Support Council, a public-private partnership charged with assisting Ohio businesses, workers and communities to develop and implement coordinated strategies aimed at stabilizing and growing the auto industry.

“The automotive industry will continue to drive Ohio’s economy,” said Strickland. “Now more than ever, we need a unified, coordinated approach to support and strengthen Ohio’s auto sector. The Ohio Auto Industry Support Council will work to assist our auto businesses up and down the supply chain, to support workers who deserve a more certain future, and to partner with our automotive communities as they respond to the impacts of the automotive crisis at the local level.”

The governor appointed representatives from manufacturing and labor organizations to serve as co-chairs of the Council: Eric Burkland, president of the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, and Ken Lortz, director of Ohio’s United Auto Workers Region 2B.

“Ohio’s auto workers and the communities in which they reside are bearing the brunt of the nation’s economic instability,” said Lortz. “Ohio’s workforce is second to none. To keep it that way we have to work together to provide the training and support that will bring relief to our struggling workers and recovery to our communities.”

“Ohio has the nation’s broadest and deepest automotive supply chain,” said Burkland. “Auto manufacturing is not only Ohio’s past, it is Ohio’s future. Ohio needs to position itself as the premier hub of automotive manufacturing and lead the industry transition.”

The Council will be comprised of voluntary members including the co-chairs; the Directors of the departments of Development and Job and Family Services and the Chancellor of the Board of Regents; individuals with expertise in worker retraining, industry transition and community stability; a representative of auto dealers; and one legislator recommended by each of the four legislative leaders. The Council will also closely coordinate its activities with the General Assembly’s Joint Select Committee on the Auto Industry.

Co-Chairs Appoint President and Fiscal Agent

The co-chairs named Dennis L. Wojtanowski president of the new Ohio Auto Council. As president, Wojtanowski will lead the efforts to stabilize and strengthen Ohio’s auto sector.

“I can’t think of a stronger individual to lead this important effort,” Strickland said. “Denny has my full support, and I look forward to working closely with him in the weeks and months ahead to develop the coordinated strategies that will preserve and grow Ohio’s auto industry.”

Wojtanowski served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1975-1981 and as executive assistant for legislative affairs under Governor Richard Celeste. He was chairman and CEO of the Success Group. He has served on a number of boards and foundations, including the government affairs steering committee of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, the visiting committee of the College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University, and the Ohio Arts Council. He has also served as a national board member of the Camphill Foundation.

“I’m honored to take on this responsibility and will begin our critical work immediately to support Ohio’s communities, workers and this great industry in these uncertain economic times,” said Wojtanowski.

Wojtanowski’s first official act will be joining Governor Strickland in Detroit today and Thursday during his quarterly meetings with the Big 3 automakers.

The Center for Community Solutions has volunteered to serve as the Ohio Auto Council’s fiscal agent to receive and manage monetary donations to the council and make expenditures from any such donations as it deems appropriate. The OMA, UAW and the Center for Community Solutions have committed funds to support the Council’s work. CCS is also making two senior staff members available to assist the project, Senior Fellow John Habat and Fellow George Coulter, and will retain Wojtanowski on a contract basis, providing his compensation and expenses.

The full text of the order follows.

Executive Order 2009 – 14S

Establishing the Ohio Auto Industry Support Council

1. The Strength of Ohio’s Auto Industry is Crucial to Ohio. Ohio has a long history of manufacturing excellence in fields ranging from automobiles to jet engines. The innovations in research and development that have been established in Ohio are substantial. Specifically, the auto industry in Ohio is a critical asset to the state. Due to the economic structure of many areas of the state, it is important to ensure that the auto industry in Ohio not only remains but grows as it is an integral part of Ohio’s economic vitality.

2. Ohio Must Address the Crisis Facing the Ohio Auto Industry. The unprecedented times facing the nation’s auto industry have undeniably affected the state of Ohio. Due to the uncertain times ahead, Ohio must act prudently by creating and implementing a coordinated approach to assist those affected by changes in the auto industry, be they laid-off workers, businesses which make or sell cars or car parts, or a local community losing its tax base. We must support all of those affected during this period of restructuring by developing strategies that will help Ohio position itself to grow and prosper in our changing global economy.

3. Establishment of the Ohio Auto Industry Support Council. The situation facing the state’s auto industry is unprecedented. In order to: (1) maximize communication and cooperation between affected parties and those who can help and support them, (2) develop and deploy innovative strategies for relief and recovery; and (3) assure collaborative efforts between local, state and local governments, businesses, workers, and non-profit organizations, I am ordering the establishment of the Ohio Auto Industry Support Council (the “Council”), a public-private partnership.

4. Role of the Council. The Council will serve as a means for Ohio businesses, workers and government entities to have a coordinated and impactful approach to the grave circumstances facing Ohio’s auto industry. It will work to implement strategies aimed at stabilizing and growing the auto industry, including businesses which supply that industry, supporting workers in transition, and assisting local communities impacted by industry instability. The Council, in particular, will work to:

a. Identify, access, leverage and deploy financial and programmatic resources in ways that maximize their benefit for struggling businesses, workers and communities,

b. Develop, modify, and implement governmental policies so that they provide maximum assistance to struggling businesses, workers, and communities,

c. Define and design legislative proposals and legal strategies which will assist struggling businesses, workers, and communities.

5. Council Composition. I will appoint, as co-chairs of the Council, representatives from manufacturing and labor organizations. I will appoint as members of the Council:

a. The Directors of the Departments of Development and Job and Family Services and the Chancellor of the Board of Regents,

b. One person with expertise in the way each of the following issues is impacted by changes in the auto industry:
i. Worker Retraining
ii. Industry Transition
iii. Community Stability

c. One person representing the interests of auto dealers.

d. One legislator recommended to me by each of the following:
i. The Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives
ii. The President of the Ohio Senate
iii. The Minority Leader of the Ohio House of Representatives
iv. The Minority Leader of the Ohio Senate

6. Coordination with the General Assembly’s Joint Select Committee. The Council’s co-chairs shall assure that the Council’s work is closely coordinated with the General Assembly’s Joint Select Committee on the Impact of the Changing Automobile Industry in Ohio to develop and enact laws aimed at stabilizing and supporting the auto industry. Legislative ideas generated by the Council should be quickly shared with the Joint Select Committee and determined efforts should be made to learn of any non-legislative suggestions the Joint Select Committee may wish the Council to review and consider.

7. Council Meetings, Compensation, and Administrative Support. The Council shall meet collectively or in work-groups as it deems appropriate and may include in any work groups it may form individuals who are not members of the Council. Members of the Council will not receive compensation for their service to the Council; however, consistent with Executive Orders previously issued, members may be reimbursed by the Department of Development for their reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in conducting the business of the Council. My Executive Assistant for Economic Development will serve as the staff liaison between the Council and the Ohio Economic Growth Cabinet. The Council may receive and manage donations and make expenditures from any such donations as it deems appropriate.

8. I signed this Executive order on August 4, 2009, in Columbus, Ohio, and it will not expire unless it is rescinded.

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Ted Strickland, Governor