Mani Iyer, Appointed to New Foreign Direct Investment Advisory Council

HOUSTON: U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker announced the appointment of Mani Iyer, President & CEO of Mahindra North America among 19 private and public sector leaders to the Commerce Department’s newly established U.S. Investment Advisory Council (IAC). IAC members, representing U.S. companies, entities, and organizations with missions or activities that include the promotion or facilitation of foreign direct investment (FDI), will serve as a key conduit for stakeholder input on how best to support U.S.

economic growth through the attraction and retention of FDI.

“U.S. affiliates of foreign companies directly employ 6.1 million people across our nation and pay higher than average wages which positively impacts nearly every facet of our economy,” said Secretary Pritzker. “Attracting more job-creating foreign investment has always been a priority for the Obama Administration. I look forward to working closely with the U.S. Investment Advisory Council to implement policies and strategies to ensure the United States remains the top destination for foreign investment.”

“It is an honor to participate on this council to drive economic growth in the U.S. Driving positive change is a pillar of Mahindra’s Rise philosophy; it is a privilege to have an opportunity to influence programs and policies that will make a difference in our communities,” said Iyer. “Mahindra North America’s rapid growth generates business nationwide through increased direct and indirect employment opportunities, expansion of facilities, a growing dealer network, and increased business directed to partner and supplier companies.

Established in April 2016, the IAC will advise the Secretary of Commerce on U.S. government policies and programs that affect FDI; identify and recommend programs and policies to help the United States attract and retain FDI; and recommend ways to support the United States in remaining the world’s preeminent destination for FDI. Specific priorities and recommendations will be determined by IAC members, all of whom are appointed for two-year terms.

The diverse appointees of the inaugural U.S. Investment Advisory Council are:
•    Mani Iyer – President and CEO, Mahindra North America
•    Mark Beariault – General Counsel and Head of Legal Affairs, Kudelski Group
•    David Burrows – Vice President, Fuyao Glass America Inc.
•    Chris Camacho – President and CEO, Greater Phoenix Economic Council
•    Nikia Clarke – Executive Director, World Trade Center San Diego
•    Jeffrey A. Finkle – President, International Economic Development Council
•    Jane Garvey – Chair, Meridiam North America and Board Director, LaGuardia Gateway Partners (IAC Chair)
•    Peter Lowy – Co-CEO, Westfield
•    Elie W. Maalouf – CEO, The Americas, InterContinental Hotels Group
•    Kenny McDonald – President and Chief Economic Officer, Columbus 2020
•    Ying McGuire – Vice President of Operations and Business Development, Technology Integration Group
•    Nancy McLernon – President and CEO, Organization for International Investment
•    Jan Rogers – CEO, Regional Economic Development for Eastern Idaho
•    Catherine Smith – Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (IAC Vice Chair)
•    Irene Spanos – Director of Economic Development & Community Affairs, Oakland County, Mich.
•    Eric Spiegel – President and CEO, Siemens USA
•    Mark Weinberger – Global Chairman and CEO, Ernst & Young Global Limited
•    Jeffrey Wilson – President and CEO, Gestamp North America and Gestamp Asia Pacific Corporation
•    Charlton Whipple – Chairman of the Southern Economic Development Council

As a relatively new program within the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, SelectUSA has already made an impact by helping facilitate more than $19 billion worth of FDI. The United States is the leading recipient of foreign investment worldwide with a total stock of FDI valued at $2.9 trillion (or 18 percent of GDP).

About Mahindra North America : Mahindra North America (MNA) is part of the US $16.9 billion Mahindra Group’s Automotive and Farm Sector – the number one selling tractor company in the world, based on volumes and the only tractor manufacturer in the world to win the industry’s top two quality awards – the Deming Application Prize and the Japan Quality Medal, care of Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers.

Houston, Texas, based Mahindra North America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. and began selling tractors in the USA in 1994. MNA has since grown rapidly due to high customer satisfaction levels (97%) and strong customer referrals (98%). Mahindra NA now has five distribution points in North America to help meet the needs of its customers and the growing demand for its products.

Mahindra’s professional-grade tractors range from 22 HP – 105HP with over 40 model offerings – and include the revolutionary Max and eMax series tractors.  The Mahindra Max 24 leads the way in the sub-compact market and feature true tractor performance and capabilities. The Mahindra Max 24 is joined by the industry’s first mid-compact tractor, the Mahindra Max 26 XL, which has compact tractor performance and versatility in a near compact tractor size.

All Mahindra Tractors are built with heavy-duty components that allow them to outperform other tractors in their class and are designed to provide consumers with the ability to push more, pull more and lift more, so they can do more, in less time.  Combine the superior performance of a Mahindra and the peace of mind of a STANDARD 5 year limited powertrain warranty and you have a rugged workhorse at your disposal.

To learn more about Mahindra North America, please visit http://www.mahindrausa.com.
To learn more about the Mahindra mPACT® XTVs, please visit http://www.mahindraxtv.com