The National Association of Manufacturers elected Mary Vermeer Andringa, president and CEO of Vermeer Corp., Pella, Iowa, chairwoman for a two-year period beginning Jan. 1. Adringa is the first woman to chair the NAM board. She succeeds Michael Campbell of Arch Chemicals.

Also Douglas Oberhelman, Caterpillar CEO, was elected as vice chair, succeeding Andringa.

“Mary is a strong leader who understands modern manufacturing and how to run a business,” said NAM president and CEO John Engler. “Vermeer’s global reach and exemplary employee-focused initiatives in health care and skills training are a testament to Mary’s leadership. As NAM vice chair, Mary has been a forceful advocate for manufacturing. As one of just 18 private sector members of the President’s new National Export Council, she is well positioned to represent the manufacturing sector on important trade matters.”

“The United States is the world’s largest manufacturing economy and supports more than 18 million jobs in America,” said Adringa. “However, manufacturing in the United States faces unprecedented challenges. We must focus on critical priorities such as tax relief, energy, trade, health care, labor and infrastructure and education if we want our manufacturing sector to continue to create high-paying jobs and compete in the global market.”

In regard to Oberhelman, Engler said the Caterpillar leader “knows what it takes to keep U.S. manufacturers globally competitive. His leadership and experience will be a great asset to our member companies.”