Behind Timmons’ desk is a photograph of the machine his grandfather worked on for nearly 40 years at the Mead paper production plant in Chillicothe, Ohio, a reminder of his family’s manufacturing roots. (Photo: Chuck Fazio, www.chuckfazio.com)
Jay Timmons, the TRENDS 2016 Association Executive of the Year, could not fit his job better. Representing a sector long considered the “lifeblood” of the U.S. economy, the president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers discussed his passion for American business – its values, leadership and future – and the unique nature of the association community as part of the nation’s fabric in an interview with TRENDS editor E. Francisco Dalere.
“The association world is unique,” the Capitol Hill veteran said. “What I like about associations is, you can really connect with your passion. My passion happens to be economic policy and what we need to do to make sure America remains an exceptional nation.”
A work ethic learned early in life
His work ethic as well as pride in the nation’s manufacturing industry sprung from his experiences in his hometown of Chillicothe, a manufacturing and farming community in Ohio. Behind his desk in his office is a photo of the machine his grandfather worked on for nearly 40 years at a Mead production plant in Chillicothe. Also, his mother, who achieved CEO and publisher status for the local newspaper – rare for a woman at that time – was a member of the American American Newspaper Publishers Association, which he says was his first exposure to associations. “She’d come back from her meetings across the country completely energized with ideas for her company.”
His first personal experience with associations came at 10 years old, when he joined 4-H so that he could be a member of its bicycle club. As a farm boy, he ended up showing steers at the local fair. “The worst part was having to say goodbye to my steers, but it was a great opportunity for a young person to learn personal responsibility, learn the ups and downs of the real world. 4-H was a great learning experiencing for me and for young people.”
In the 1980s, Timmons made his way to Washington, first via Ohio State University. After working on Capitol Hill for a couple of members of Congress, he eventually became chief of staff for Congressman, Gov., and Sen. George Allen. In that role, he gained firsthand exposure to associations and the helpful community that it can be.
Finding his way in the association community
“The National Governors Association was really a very fundamental part of helping me and helping fellow chiefs of staff from across the country learn from each other and figure out ways to best serve our constituents and the citizens of our state. I’ve really never forgotten that experience and have really appreciated the help that NGA first gave to me when I was first starting out in my career.”
He followed Allen to the U.S. Senate as his chief of staff. From there, Timmons became executive director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee in 2004. He brought all of his Hill experience to NAM in 2005, when he was appointed the association’s policy and government relations SVP. In 2008 he was named EVP and became president and CEO in 2011, succeeding Gov. John Engler (the TRENDS 2015 Executive of the Year who now works for the Business Roundtable).
Having left the world of high-profile politics behind, Timmons has found a groove and a home in the association community.
“What I love most about the association world is that you can help drive the agenda, you can set the tone, you can deal with real people in the real world, and you can focus on facts rather than public perception. So at the NAM we’re talking about what makes America competitive, how to maintain America’s competitive edge, how do we expand, and how do we promote American exceptionalism around the world.
“For us it’s not theory, for us it’s fact. We have evidence to back up the regulatory proposals that we promote and we advance and that we advocate for, and I think that’s what makes the job of association executive so satisfying: we deal with real world problems every single day, and most important, we work really hard to solve them.”
NAM’S 2020 Vision A model for us all
His vision for NAM is to create a 21st-century organization to respond to changes in the manufacturing sector. The outline is called the 2020 Vision, and can serve as a model for other associations that must think of the future today.
“Two years ago we did some self-analysis and we spent a lot of time trying to figure out what was working, what wasn’t working, and most importantly, what we needed to do to ensure that the association was relevant and effective in the future. From that came a letter that I wrote to our board of directors dated Dec 31, 2020, and what that. (Above, Timmons addresses employees of NAM member company Graco Inc., as part of the NAM’s 2015 State of Manufacturing Tour in February. He highlighted the continued comeback of manufacturing in the U.S., as well as the challenges and burdens facing manufacturers. (Photo: David Bohrer / National Assoc. of Manufacturers)
letter served to do was look back on the last five years of progress at the association. That letter helped us set our goals and our milestones for achievement in the future, for success in the future. Our board embraced that vision and from that came our 2020 Vision. I carry that 10 point-plan around with me all the time to make sure that we never lose sight of what we need to do to focus on the success of the future.”
The NAM is working on issues that affect not only the manufacturing industry, but the association community, as well. Timmons talks about strengthening American manufacturers and other businesses with lower and competitive tax rates; safeguarding companies from a “stifling” regulatory system; good infrastructure; and a legal system that protects free enterprise.
“There are so many issues that surround American competitiveness that unite the entire business community….Every association has a role and has a voice to ensure that the American competitiveness agenda is not forgotten, [that] it’s not superseded by other issues….It’s the issue that unites all of us, it’s the issue that we need to embrace and drive forward in a meaningful way.”
The rights and responsibilities of associations
Also, he calls on association executives to stay strong and not shrink from their responsibility to advocate for their constituents at a time when “First Amendment rights have been under assault.”
“It’s no secret that the association community is under assault. It’s under assault from populists who want to blame every ill of the country on those who unite their collective voices, but here’s the bottom line on associations: it is our fundamental right to petition our government. It is our fundamental right to speak out on behalf of those who don’t feel like they can speak out for themselves. At the NAM we represent 12 million men and women who make things in this country. They have a right to have their government hear what will make them successful, what will make their business successful, what will enhance their quality of life, what will protect their jobs, and what will ensure a better life for their children and their grandchildren….
“We can never lose sight of the fact that associations were created to advance those basic freedoms that are enshrined in our Constitution, and we have a role as association executives to not only protect those rights but to advance them.”
Video excerpts of the interview with Jay Timmons will be available soon on the TRENDS website, www.AssociationTRENDS.com.
Timmons will be honored at the annual TRENDS Salute to Association Excellence, “the” event for the national association community in Washington, March 4 at the Capital Hilton. For more details and to register for the Salute, click here.