NASHVILLE ECONOMIC SUMMIT FOCUSES ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

For Immediate Release - October 31, 2001

Contact: Mark Marich 202.467.2776

NASHVILLE -- Tennessee Congressman Bob Clement and a host of experts including Shelley Hymes, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Director of the Office of the 21^st Century Workforce, will explore the future of the economy and workforce development at his 13^th Annual Economic Summit: “Help Wanted: Workforce Development and the New Economy.”  The forum is set for Monday, November 5, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Loew’s Vanderbilt Plaza Hotel, Centennial Ballroom, 2100 West End Avenue, Nashville. The Public Forum Institute, an independent, nonpartisan public policy education group based in Washington, DC, is organizing the summit.

“Recent events in New York and Washington, DC, are having implications for the economy nationwide and across Tennessee,” said Clement. “Already various companies within the hospitality and transportation industries have had to scale back their operations to adjust to what is hoped to be a short-term drop-off in business.  At the same time, existing workforce shortages, especially in healthcare and education, as well as potential new workforce needs in the defense sector, may provide opportunities for those employees displaced by recent reductions.  This summit will address these and many other concerns.”

Clement annually hosts an economic summit on an issue which is vitally important to the people of Tennessee. In light of recent events and the slowing of the economy, this forum will offer a review of the 21^st Century Workforce by convening representatives from federal, state, and local government, as well as business leaders. This will give a broad cross-section the opportunity to educate themselves about the economic challenges facing Tennessee and the nation both now and in the future.

Shelley S. Hymes, who currently serves in the Bush Administration as the Director of the Office of the 21^st Century Workforce at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) under the leadership of Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao, will be the keynote speaker at the noon luncheon. The Office of the 21^st Century Workforce was recently created by Executive Order.  The goal of the office is to ensure that all American workers have as fulfilling and financially rewarding a career as they aspire to have, and to make sure that no worker gets left behind in the global economy.  Prior to joining the DOL, Ms. Hymes served as Executive Director for the U.S. Congressional Joint Economic Committee (JEC).  From 1995 to 1998, she served as Communications Director and Chief Counsel for the JEC Committee.  She has also held other high level positions both in the government and the private sector.  Ms. Hymes is a graduate of Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida, with a degree in Political Science.

At the summit, national experts and regional employers will focus on the nature of the workforce shortages anticipated in the new economy; identify local “best practices,” national programs and policy initiatives that appear to be most effective at meeting these challenges; engage community and business leaders, educators and other citizens in evaluating these efforts; and utilize a variety of interactive meeting techniques, including eFORUMs, an electronic audience response system, to identify which practices and policies to recommend to local citizens and regional leaders as likely to succeed in their region or community.

A partial list of speakers and panelists includes: Mr. Gregg Betheil, Vice President for Academy Programs, National Academy Foundation; Mr. David M. Brown, Assistant Vice President of Human Resources, Ingram Barge Company; Dr. Bob Fisher, President, Belmont University; Dr. Gordon Gee, Chancellor, Vanderbilt University; Ms. Bebe Holland, Human Resources Director, The Aerostructures Corporation; Mr. Dan Hull, Mr. Thomas Negri, General Manager, Loews Vanderbilt Plaza Hotel; President, CORD; Jonathan Ortmans, President, The Public Forum Institute; Ms. Janet Rachel, Senior Manager for Diversity, Dell Computer Corporation; and Dr. Peter Rousseau, Associate Professor of Economics, Vanderbilt University. 

“I believe we must strike a balance between security needs and keeping the economy stable,” Clement said. “At this summit we will discuss the future of workforce development and the economy. This debate will help us better understand what we need to do to be prepared— not for just today and tomorrow—but for one year, five years, or twenty years from now.  I am hopeful that the summit will help get these issues on the table, allow us to review our options, and lay a foundation for future policy decisions.  I would encourage all members of the community to attend and add their input to this important discussion about the future of our region and our state.”

Walk-up registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The summit is scheduled to convene promptly at 9:00 a.m. with opening remarks by Congressman Clement, a member of the House Budget Committee and a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. 

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The Public Forum Institute is an independent, nonpartisan organization dedicated to creating the most advanced and effective means of fostering public discourse. Based in Washington, DC, the Forum develops and coordinates public forums across the country – engaging citizens, experts, community leaders, elected officials and others in substantive discussions on dozens of policy issues. Through a partnership with foundations, print and broadcast media, policy makers, opinion leaders and corporate philanthropy, the Public Forum Institute serves local communities across the nation, contributing to a more informed public. The Forum takes no position on the issues. 

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