Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce: Chief Executive Bauer to chair national manufacturing group

MADISON – A trade group representing state manufacturers associations has elected the chief executive of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) as its chairman. Kurt Bauer, who has led WMC since 2011, was elected in December to serve as chair of the Council of State Manufacturers Associations (COSMA). Bauer will chair the national organization for two years.

COSMA represents manufacturing trade associations in all 50 state states, plus Puerto Rico. COSMA also partners with the Washington, D.C.-based National Association of Manufacturers.

“I am humbled and honored to have been selected to lead such an impactful organization,” said Bauer. “Manufacturing is critical to the state and national economy, and I look forward to working with my colleagues across the country to strengthen the industry.”

Bauer is the third WMC chief executive to chair COSMA. Jim Haney and Paul Hassett were also elected by their peers to lead COSMA. Bauer is also a member of the National Association of Manufacturers Board of Directors, Council of State Chambers of Commerce, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Public Affairs Committee, the University of Wisconsin System Business Advisory Council and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Advisory Council on Agriculture, Small Business and Labor.