2013 Annual Report M Ission
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
2013 ANNUAL REPORT M ISSION The New England Council is an alliance of businesses, academic and health institutions, and public and private organizations throughout New England formed to promote economic growth and a high quality of life in the New England region. The New England Council is a leading voice on the issues that shape the region’s economy and quality of life. The Council focuses on key industries that drive the region’s economic growth including education, energy, transportation, technology and innovation, healthcare and financial services. THE NEW ENGLAND COUNCIL TABLE OF CONTENTS 2013 4 President’s Letter 5 Chairman’s Letter ADVOCACY & INITIATIVES 6 Overview 7 Advanced Manufacturing 8 Defense 9 Energy & Environment 11 Financial Services 12 Healthcare 14 Higher Education 16 New England Economic Partnership 17 Technology 19 Transportation Committee EVENTS 20 Annual Spring Event 22 Annual Dinner 24 Congressional Roundtable Series 26 Capital Conversations Series 28 Featured Events 30 Politics & Eggs Series ABOUT THE COUNCIL 31 DC Dialogue 32 Board of Directors 35 Members 3 THE NEW ENGLAND COUNCIL 2013 PRESIDENT’S LETTER DeaR NEW ENGland Council MEMBER: As I look back at 2013, I am once again impressed by what a successful and productive year it has been for The New England Council. That success has come on several fronts, from membership growth, to new programming and events, to effective advocacy for issues and policies that impact our region. I’m pleased to report that 2013 was an incredibly busy year for the Council with over 50 events and programs for our members over the course of the year. Our Congressional Roundtable series continues to be very successful, with events in all six New England states. In addition, we expanded the series in 2013 to include members of Congress from beyond the New England region. The year 2013 also marked the launch of our new Capital Conversations series in Washington, DC, which brings our members together with members of Congress and other federal policymakers at gatherings in our nation’s capital. And last but certainly not least, our popular Politics & Eggs series, co-hosted by the New Hampshire Institute of Politics, welcomed a number of prominent national media figures who offered their insights on the current James T. Brett political landscape. Our two signature annual events—the Spring Event in Washington, DC, and the Annual Dinner—were both tremendously successful. Some 250 Council members participated in the Annual Spring Event, making it one of the largest to date. At the Annual Dinner in October, nearly 1,500 New England Council members and friends gathered to honor five remarkable New Engalnders: Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), One Fund Boston administrator Kenneth Feinberg, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, Putnam Investments CEO Robert Reynolds, and Newport Jazz Festival founder George Wein. Amidst all of this, membership continued to grow as a variety of businesses and organizations throughout New England joined the Council. We were delighted to welcome nearly 60 new members in 2013, bringing our total membership to over 450 businesses and organizations. Our members continue to be actively engaged in our policy committees as the Council advocated for a variety of policies that impact the economic well-being of our region throughout the year. In 2013, the Council was a strong voice for immigration reform that addresses the needs of our region’s employers, for increased funding for STEM education, for student loan interest rates that will enable young people to access higher education, and for policies that increase energy efficiency and decrease costs, just to name a few. Of course none of this would be possible without the tremendous support and active engagement of our members. I am proud to share with your our 2013 Annual Report, and look forward to another great year. Sincerely, James T. Brett President & CEO Jim Brett with Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA). 4 THE NEW ENGLAND COUNCIL CHAIRMAN’S LETTER 2013 DeaR NEW ENGland Council MEMBER: I’m happy to say 2013 was another strong year for the New England Council as we advocated in Washington for the priorities of our region, and continued our pursuit of sustained economic growth with a cooperative approach that defines who we are. Growth continued to be a theme for the New England Council in 2013. Our membership grew to include more businesses than ever before, and we added some of the region’s most accomplished and committed business and civic leaders to our Board of Directors. When respected and influential leaders in government and politics want to reach business leaders in this region, they come to the New England Council. We launched our Capital Conversations series in 2013, and heard from key members of Congress such as U.S. Rep. William Keating and © W. Marc Bernsau/Boston Marc Journal Business W. © Senators Jack Reed and Chris Murphy. This new series provides yet another opportunity, in addition John Hailer to our Congressional Roundtable meetings, for our members to engage in productive dialogue with leaders in Washington. The New England Council continued its advocacy in 2013 for important priorities that will help grow the regional and U.S. economy—maintaining our strong position in favor of smart immigration reform, supporting efforts to create a STEM Fund and urging approval of the Shaheen-Portman Energy Efficiency Bill. Like all New Englanders and all Americans, we shared the grief and dismay that gripped Boston following the deadly attack on the Boston Marathon on April 19, 2013. We were reminded, however, that our region is at its best when coming together at times of crisis and tragedy. The remarkable healing process that has occurred for so many people impacted by the Marathon attack is a powerful illustration of New England resiliency. The New England Council brings new ideas to the public conversation and helps create solutions, and by working with our elected leaders, we can continue to foster economic growth in New England and across the country. In 2014 we will continue to focus our efforts on creating an environment that supports long-term sustainable growth, new jobs with secure futures, and a high quality of life for our families. Thank you for making 2013 such a productive year, and for being such strong partners in pursuing our collective agenda. We are always at our best when working for you means working with you. Sincerely, John Hailer Chairman John Hailer presents Mayor Tom Menino with his New Englander of the Year Award. 5 THE NEW ENGLAND COUNCIL 2013 ADVOCACY & INITiaTIVES OVERVIEW New England continued to experience a slow but steady economic recovery in 2013, and unemployment rates continued to decline over the course of the year. At the same time, our leaders in Washington spent much of the year grappling with the nation’s fiscal challenges, instituting harsh federal spending cuts and tackling the growing federal deficit. Unfortunately, the fierce partisanship that has plagued Washington in recent years continued to hinder compromise on many issues. Through it all, The New England Council continued to work closely with its members across various sectors to Board member Patrick McHugh of FairPoint Communications and identify issues that affect the region and to advocate for Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) at a Congressional Roundtable in New Hampshire. policies that will support economic growth and foster job creation throughout New England. In addition to advocacy efforts, the Council has also offered members a variety of opportunities to educate themselves on the issues and stay abreast of the latest updates, from small group discussions with Congressional staffers, to Council-wide forums with key federal policymakers. Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) and board member John Stadtler of PricewaterhouseCoopers at a Congressional Roundtable in Boston, MA. Board member Marcy Reed of National Grid and Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA) at a breakfast in Boston, MA. 6 THE NEW ENGLAND COUNCIL ADVOCACY & INITiaTIVES 2013 ADVANCED MANUFACTURING New England has a rich history as home to a thriving manufacturing industry. While traditional manufacturing has been on the decline in the region in recent years, there is great potential for economic growth in the so-called “advanced manufacturing” sector. The New England Council has a long history of support for advanced manufacturing as an area with potential for significant growth and job creation in our region, beginning with the Council’s 2010 report, “Reexamining Advanced Manufacturing in a Networked World: Prospects for a Resurgence in New England,” prepared by board member Mike Reopel and his team at Deloitte. In 2013, Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) and board member Mike Sargent of the Council engaged in several efforts to advocate CVS Caremark at a Congressional Roundtable in Providence, RI. for federal policy to support this growing sector and to promote regional collaboration in support of advanced manufacturing. Make it in America Manufacturing Act In January 2013, Representative David Cicilline (D-RI), one of the region’s strongest advocates for the manufacturing sector, introduced new legislation to strengthen this vital sector of our economy. The Make it in America Manufacturing Act would target federal investment in manufacturing to improve the competitiveness of manufacturing by establishing a grant program to facilitate the creation of unique public-private partnerships which will develop comprehensive Manufacturing Enhancement Strategies. Grant funds would be used to establish a revolving loan fund to make low-interest loans to manufacturers but could also be used to award grants to not-for-profit third parties, such as community colleges, to provide on-the-job and off-site training, create apprenticeship programs, and support training and education initiatives that align with employer demand and result in industry-recognized credentials. The New England Council endorsed the bill and was honored to join with the Congressman to introduce the bill at a press conference at a local manufacturer in his district and to lend its support for the legislation.