NAE President's Business Advisory Committee

The NAE's vibrancy and effectiveness depend on both the engagement of members from business and, correspondingly, a strong pool of nominees from the business sector. The President's Business Advisory Committee (PBAC) will provide advice and help in engaging the business community in the affairs of the National Academy of Engineering and in elevating both the real and perceived value of the NAE to the business community.

Context

The founding of the NAE in 1964 was based in part on bringing the expertise of practicing engineers from the private sector into the National Academies to advise the government on technical matters. In the first class of 25 members, 52% were from business, 36% academia, and 12% government (national laboratories). Now at least 50% of all elected members must be from the business sector (i.e., the member did her/his significant work while employed in the business sector).

The business membership of the NAE makes it unique among the three National Academies. To ensure the NAE's effective engagement and representation of the business community, the sector must perceive the NAE as a valuable organization that not only honors its members but also serves the nation as well as the interests of industry and the engineering profession.

The PBAC will work with the NAE president to strengthen the academy's business engagement and representation in its membership, in its guidance to the government and the public, and in meetings with business leaders.

Goals

• Increase the value of the NAE to industry.
• Increase awareness of the NAE in the US and abroad.
• Increase the number of business nominations for NAE membership.
• Increase the number of business volunteers on NAE/NRC committees.
• Increase financial support for programs of the NAE/NRC. PBAC Membership
• Initial committee of 7-8 NAE members; expansion to 12-15 members
• Term limits to allow rotation of new members onto the committee
• Current or retired executives involved in R&D and technology
• Demonstrated interest in and enthusiasm for the NAE
• Diversity of industrial sector, ethnicity and gender, geography, and company size
• Two or three virtual meetings per year.