A UQ alumnus described as “one of the foremost leaders in the world of business” has been appointed by US President-elect Donald Trump to chair the American Manufacturing Council.
Andrew Liveris AO (Bachelor of Engineering First Class Honours ’75 and Doctor of Science honoris causa ’05) will lead a 25-member private sector group tasked with advising the US Secretary of Commerce on areas such as manufacturing and employment.
President-elect Trump introduced Mr Liveris as “one of the foremost leaders in the world of business” when he announced the appointment at a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Mr Liveris said he had plans to reinvigorate jobs in the US, starting with a research and development centre in Michigan.
“We aren’t waiting. We’re going ahead and we’re going to use American – hard working American – brains.
“You can count on me and the business leaders that we’ll put on this team.
“This will be America’s finest and brightest to help us solve these problems.
“Let’s make America great again, by building great things in America,” he said.
Mr Liveris expressed strong views on the need to reinvigorate the US manufacturing sector in his book, Make It In America: The Case for Re-Inventing the Economy.
Key themes in the 2011 book closely align with Trump’s campaign promise to return manufacturing jobs to America.
Mr Liveris recommended US-based firms regain local control of high-tech manufacturing processes to generate a boost in jobs and economic growth.
He also suggested overhauling the US education system to ensure science was better represented in the curriculum.
In 2011 Mr Liveris was named co-chair of US President Barack Obama’s Advanced Manufacturing Partnership.
UQ President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Høj described Mr Liveris as: “a true leader whose vision and unrelenting work ethic has led to success in so many different areas, not just business”.
“UQ has benefited greatly from his expertise and leadership in his role as inaugural Chair of The University of Queensland in America Foundation.” Professor Høj said.
“He played an integral role in establishing a partnership that led to the creation of the UQ Dow Centre for Sustainable Engineering Innovation, with the Dow Chemical Company committing $US2 million in 2015 as part of a five-year pledge.”
Mr Liveris has spent 40 years with The Dow Chemical Company and is currently its chairman and CEO.
In addition to his work at Dow, he holds positions in business, government, academic and non-profit sectors.
He has been on the board of directors for IBM since 2010 and is a member of Australia’s Commonwealth Government Industry Growth Centres Advisory Committee.
Media: Communications@uq.edu.au, 07 3365 1120.
