Ross M. Smith is the President of the North Carolina Manufacturers Association, effective January 1, 2022. NCMA Executive Board selected Smith to succeed Preston Howard who will retire on December 31, 2021, after serving nearly 23 years as NCMA President.

Smith comes to NCMA well qualified to advocate for issues of importance to manufacturers in North Carolina. He has 33 years of experience managing teams responsible for environmental projects and regulatory compliance in mining and chemical industry sectors.

I have been actively involved with NCMA as a manufacturing member and as a business partner for over 20 years,” Ross Smith said. “I feel very much at home with this organization, and I am looking forward to being on the front lines promoting state laws, regulations, and policies that strengthen our North Carolina manufacturing sector.

Since 1988, NCMA has represented manufacturers in the legislative and executive branches of state government, focusing on legislative and regulatory issues that impact North Carolina’s position as a great state for manufacturing companies to develop and grow their businesses. NCMA is a non-profit organization with diverse membership base that includes chemical, pharmaceutical, pulp & paper and other wood products, adhesives, tobacco, heavy equipment, heavy duty vehicles, furniture, and steel.