On Jan. 1, 2006, James G. Berges, president of St. Louis-based Emerson Electric Co., will begin a one-year term as chairman of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). Berges, who has been NAM's vice chairman, will succeed current chairman John A. Luke Jr., chairman and CEO of MeadWestvaco Corp. The NAM's board last week also selected Charles E. Bunch, chairman and CEO of PPG Industries Inc., as its vice chairman for a one-year term beginning in January.
Energy, air pollution, the federal estate tax and R&D funding are expected to top NAM's legislative agenda in the new year.
