 |
| Anne Forristall Luke |
September 12, 2007 • The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has named Anne Forristall Luke to the newly created position of vice president of government affairs in the association's Washington, D.C., office.
"AEM has significantly raised the visibility and influence of our industry in Washington during the past several years,” said Dennis Slater, AEM president. “We're increasing public policy outreach to more aggressively make our members' interests known, and Anne's expertise will complement and strengthen these efforts.”
AEM is the international trade and business development resource for more than 750 companies that manufacture equipment, products and services used worldwide in the agricultural, construction, forestry, mining and utility fields. Luke will work closely with AEM's vice president of global public policy and association committees to expand relationships with Congressional offices, the executive branch, federal agencies and the public. The goal is to increase awareness and understanding of the key issues and positions of the AEM membership and the entire off-road equipment industry.
Luke has more than 25 years of Washington government relations and public affairs experience in both the public and private sectors. Before joining AEM, she was president of the U.S. Tuna Foundation, representing the domestic and international business interests of the U.S. canned tuna processing industry. Prior to that she was a principal at MGN Inc., an independent government relations firm, and served as senior vice president and director of public affairs in the Washington office of Ketchum Inc., a global public relations firm.
Luke also held a variety of government posts, including legislative director for former Congressman Dennis Eckart (D-OH); professional staff member of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee; and policy and legislative aide in the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.
AEM, based in Milwaukee, Wis., has offices in Ottawa, Beijing, and Brussels, has maintained a full-time Washington office for nearly 30 years to monitor, analyze and respond to legislative and regulatory actions affecting association members and the industry. The D.C. office serves as liaison between members and policymakers to ensure industry views are taken into account on issues including transportation and public works funding, promotion of free and fair trade, the Farm Bill and regulatory rulemaking in areas such as engine emissions and renewable fuels.
