WASHINGTON- Ron Bloom, senior advisor to the secretary of the Treasury assigned to the President's Task Force on the Automotive Industry since February, has been appointed to serve as the Administration's senior counselor for Manufacturing Policy. 

Working closely with the National Economic Council, Bloom will provide leadership on policy development and strategic planning for President Obama's agenda to revitalize the manufacturing sector. He will work with departments and agencies across the administration - including the Departments of Commerce, Treasury, Energy, and Labor - to integrate existing programs and develop new initiatives affecting the manufacturing sector. 

General Motors expressed its support of the new appointment in a statement. "[Bloom's] leadership within the Auto Task Force helped GM emerge from its restructuring a more strong and viable company in record time." The automaker said it is "confident Mr. Bloom's counsel and expertise also will benefit U.S. manufacturing on a broader scale."