Press Releases

May 11, 2017

WORCESTER, MASS. -- Under a vast white tent centered on the campus quadrangle, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) began its 149th Commencement celebrations today with its Graduate Ceremony, awarding nearly 800 master’s and doctoral degrees.

President Laurie A. Leshin and Board of Trustees Chairman Jack T. Mollen presided over the ceremony, which included the awarding of an honorary doctor of science degree to Audrey Carlan ’57, who received the first graduate degree awarded by WPI to a woman—15 years before the first female undergraduates were awarded degrees.

April 19, 2017

WASHINGTON – Thomas M. Uhlman, Founder and Managing Partner, New Venture Partners LLC, has joined the Council on Competitiveness as Distinguished Fellow.

“Tom’s deep knowledge of the tech sector and venture capital strategy will enhance our ability to assess the complex issues surrounding growth and productivity across all the areas we monitor,” said Deborah L. Wince-Smith, president and CEO, Council on Competitiveness.

March 22, 2017

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Council on Competitiveness’ released the findings of its latest sector study with the study’s co-chairs, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Corporation, Monsanto Company, University of California, Davis and Texas A&M University.

Leverage: Agriculture and Consumer Water Use explores the challenges and opportunities of sustainable water management in the agriculture, lawn and garden, and related industries.

WASHINGTON – Steve G. Stevanovich, president and CEO of SGS Global Holdings, has joined the U.S. Council on Competitiveness as an Executive Committee Member.

“Steve’s leadership in business analysis and venture capital strategy will bolster our Executive Committee’s ability to assess competitiveness issues, particularly as they relate to our corporate partners,” said Deborah L. Wince-Smith, president and CEO, U.S. Council on Competitiveness.

January 20, 2017

WASHINGTON— As the country inaugurates its 45^th leader, the U.S. Council on Competitiveness looks forward to working with President Trump and his administration to address critical competitiveness issues facing the country.

“We’re ready to work with the Trump administration to strengthen U.S. competitiveness,” said Deborah L. Wince-Smith, president and CEO, U.S. Council on Competitiveness. “In so many important sectors, the U.S. is being challenged. We look forward to assisting the new administration by providing our bipartisan perspective on areas such as enhancing American manufacturing, increasing jobs, training our workforce and reforming our outdated corporate tax code."

January 5, 2017

WASHINGTON - Bray Barnes, a Senior Advisor to Global Security and Innovative Strategies (GSIS), a security consulting and business advisory company whose principals are primarily former senior executives with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has joined the U.S. Council on Competitiveness as Senior Fellow.

“As cybersecurity becomes increasingly important to our country’s competitiveness, it’s imperative we keep it at the forefront of policy discussions,” said Deborah L. Wince-Smith, president and CEO, U.S. Council on Competitiveness. “Bray’s expertise in this field will provide us with perspective we need in order to make informed, strategic recommendations on how the country approaches its cybersecurity needs.”

December 9, 2016

WASHINGTON - Clearly targeting his remarks to the incoming administration, FedEx Chairman, President and CEO, Fred Smith, delivered a speech titled, "How Trade Will Make America Great Again,"  in which he clearly stated that more trade, not less, with U.S. competitiors is the correct path to ensure American prosperity. Smith gave his speech December 9, 2016 at the National Competitiveness Forum, hosted by the U.S. Council on Competitiveness.

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October 3, 2016

WASHINGTON—The Institute of Supply Management reported Monday that economic activity in the manufacturing sector grew in September after contracting the previous month. 

The U.S. Council on Competitiveness, which earlier this year released the 2016 Global Manufacturing Competitiveness Index with Deloitte, cited increased efforts to promote innovation and public-private partnerships as contributing to 2016's trend of growth.

May 16, 2016

LONDON - The U.S. Council on Competitiveness and the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) recognizing the importance of strengthening U.S. - Malaysia relations in order to develop global competitiveness policies, and promote sustainable growth.

Research in Clean Energy Manufacturing Key to Future U.S. Prosperity

May 12, 2016

NEW YORK – With American manufacturing on the cusp of regaining powerhouse status, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) unveiled a new regional program offering small- and medium-sized businesses access to the government’s top research labs.  The Manufacturing Impacts Through Energy and Commerce (MITEC) Pilot Program opens the doors to resources previously unavailable for businesses and universities.

The announcement came at the 4th American Energy and Manufacturing Competitiveness (AEMC) Summit, a program formed by the U.S. Council on Competitiveness.  It builds on a multi-year arc of significant, new investments and programs announced by the DOE and its Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative (CEMI) to rebuild national shared infrastructure in support of manufacturing excellence.