Robert S. Milligan Elected Chairman of U.S. Chamber

WASHINGTON, D.C.-The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's board of directors today elected Robert S. Milligan as its new chairman. Previously, he served on the Chamber's board as its vice chairman. Milligan also serves as chairman of M.I. Industries, an animal and meat protein processing company.

"Bob understands the role that the business community plays in advocating for important policies such as health care reform, climate change, and fair trade," said U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue. "But as a business leader, he fundamentally understands the stress put on businesses and business owners every day. As the Chamber's vice chairman, he has been a leading voice for our competitiveness agenda, and I have no doubt that he will continue to promote opportunities for American business."

Milligan said, "I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as the new chairman of the U.S. Chamber. I look forward to working with other business leaders and the professional team at the Chamber to help advance sound policies that will allow American businesses to grow and prosper-providing jobs and sustainable economic growth for our nation. The Chamber, particularly during these challenging global economic times, must be the solid voice of reason to effectively advocate for our business community."

The Lincoln, Nebraska-based M.I. Industries produces nutritional pet products as well as biological and pharmaceutical products. Production takes place in the United States and in the Netherlands, China, and Brazil. M.I. Industries sells its nutritional pet products under its brand names of Nature's Variety, Honey Creek Farms, and Happy Pet throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia.

Milligan serves as president of CBMC International, a Christian marketplace ministry active in more than 90 countries. He is a member of the World President's Organization and the Executive Officer Organization. He also serves on the President's Council of the National Association of Manufacturers and the National Advisory Council for the Boy Scouts of America.

Milligan graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a bachelor's degree in vocational agriculture and agricultural economics and has a jurist doctorate in corporate law from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He started his career in the federal government, working at the White House in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, at the Justice Department as a tax trial attorney, and at the Department of Commerce as a deputy assistant secretary for policy development.

Milligan is married to Cynthia Hardin Milligan, dean emeritus of the College of Business Administration at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Cynthia is also active in business. She serves on several boards, including Wells Fargo Bank, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Raven Industries, The Gallup Organization, Colonial Williamsburg, and Prison Fellowship Ministries.

The Milligans have been married for 41 years and have nine children, including a daughter-in-law and three sons-in-law as well as eight grandchildren.

A high resolution photo of Milligan can be found at: http://www.uschamber.com/press/photos/photo_search.htm?t=d

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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