Council on Competitiveness Announces William Hite as New Labor Vice Chairman

WASHINGTON, DC –

The Council on Competitiveness announced today that William P. Hite, General President of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, will serve as its next Labor Vice Chairman. Hite, previously a member of the Council’s executive committee, will succeed ULLICO, Inc. CEO Edward J. McElroy.

“We are thrilled to have Bill Hite join the Council’s leadership team,” said Deborah Wince-Smith, President and CEO. “His experience, expertise and passion are tremendous assets that will be significant tools in the Council’s continuing efforts to guide America toward a new era of economic prosperity.”

Prior to assuming the role of General President, Hite served as the Assistant General President from 2001-2004 and has been a United Association member for 42 years. He is actively engaged in the Council’s flagship U.S. Manufacturing Competitiveness Initiative as a member of the initiative’s leadership council and a leading voice on educating and training a competitive workforce.

“As the Labor Vice Chair of the Council on Competitiveness, I am looking forward to doing all I can to strengthen every sector of our economy with the goal of creating a strong, viable and thriving industrial and manufacturing base. That must include the development of a workforce with the skills and knowledge to be competitive in the global marketplace. As the leader of an organization that has skills training as a core value, I know that American workers are determined to be the most productive and technologically advanced workers in the world," Hite said.

In addition to his work with the United Association and the Council on Competitiveness, Hite is a member of the Board of Directors of the Nuclear Energy Institute and Helmets to Hardhats, which helps active duty military personnel find careers in construction. Hite has served on multiple presidential task forces and advisory boards, and last year he was appointed by President Obama to the President’s Export Council.