Former U.S. auto czar Ron Bloom, credited with leading the restructuring of General Motors and Chrysler, announced he will step down from his position as President Obama's manufacturing adviser at the end of this month, the White House said Aug. 9.
The White House did not say in its press statement whether it plans to replace Bloom.
Bloom, 56, played a key role in restructuring Chrysler Group LLC and General Motors Co. when he joined the Treasury department's auto industry task force in July 2009. About two months later he assumed his current position as assistant to the president for manufacturing policy.
Bloom was a key player in agreement reached between the federal government and leading automakers to raise passenger-car and light-truck fuel-economy standards to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025.
The Obama administration announced standards for heavy-duty vehicles Aug. 10.
President Obama issued a statement praising Bloom's leadership during the auto industry restructuring process.
For the past two and a half years, Ron Blooms leadership and expertise has helped us put Americas automakers back on the road to recovery, launch new partnerships to make our manufacturers more competitive and set aggressive fuel economy standards that will save consumers and businesses money at the pump, said President Obama.
American Iron and Steel Institute President Thomas Gibson said the White House needs to fill the position as soon as possible.
The elevation of Rons position within the West Wing earlier this year was a very positive development as it placed a strong manufacturing advocate at the most senior level of the White House staff," Gibson said. "Because the manufacturing sector will be critical to the nations economic recovery and to getting Americans back to work, it is equally critical to fill this position as soon as possible with a similarly respected and qualified individual, someone who will have the ability to bring manufacturings concerns to the Administrations most important deliberations.
Bloom, a former special assistant to the United Steelworkers president, plans to return to his long-time residence in Pittsburgh and spend more time with his family, according to a White House press statement.
See Also:
Obama Unveils Fuel-Efficiency Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles
Ron Bloom Tapped for Obama's Senior Counselor for Manufacturing Policy
