PO Box 50792

Knoxville, TN 37950

(865) 924-2350 <Phone>

(865) 717-1360 <Fax>

Knoxville, TN – 5/25/05: Al Frink, Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing & Services for the International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, will be the keynote speaker at the SME Annual Awards Banquet, being held June 3, at the 2005 SME Annual Meeting in Baltimore, Md.

During the event, Frink will help SME members and guests better understand the federal manufacturing initiative through a presentation entitled "The Bush Administration Manufacturing Initiative: Addressing the Challenges to U.S. Manufacturers."

As the nation's first Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing and Services, Frink serves as chief advocate for the U.S. manufacturing sector within the federal government. In that position, he advocates, coordinates and implements policies that will help U.S. manufacturers compete globally. Some of the challenges he focuses on include:

- Strengthening education, retraining, and economic diversification

- Investing in innovation

- Enhancing government's focus on manufacturing competitiveness

- Creating conditions for economic growth and manufacturing

investment

- Promoting open markets and a level playing field

During the event, Greater Smoky Mountain Chapter 107 Chair, Ralton B. Emory will be receiving the Robert A. Dougherty Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award. This award is presented to engineers under the age of 35 who have demonstrated leadership within the area of manufacturing.

Emory has been a member of SME since 1994 when he joined as a student member at Tennessee Technological University. He became chair of Chapter 107 in 2003 to keep the chapter from closing. Since then, 107 membership has grown 15%. Currently, he leads a Chapter Board of 8 professionals dedicated to the enhancement of manufacturing and economic prosperity within the East Tennessee region. During 2005, 107 will also be hosting the 3rd annual SOMSET (Status of Manufacturing Summit – East Tennessee). SOMSET highlights manufacturing activity in the area and the chapter’s joint collaborations with other societies, educational institutions, and public officials.

Emory also serves on the Chapter Enhancement Sub-Committee for the Society. The CES is responsible for implementing policies to aid all SME chapters in training, leadership development, and standards of conduct.

SME Greater Smoky Mountain Chapter #107, with 130+ members in greater east Tennessee area, was founded in 1953.

SME, headquartered in Dearborn, Mich., is an international professional society dedicated to serving its members and the manufacturing community through the advancement of professionalism, knowledge and learning. Founded in 1932, SME has more than 60,000 members in 70 countries. The Society also sponsors 295 chapters, districts, and regions, as well as 275 student chapters worldwide.

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