'Keith Sonderling Gets It': SEMA Backs Labor Secretary Nominee

From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling (right) with SEMA Grassroots Manager –– Government Affairs Coby Lobaugh.

SEMA is enthusiastically backing the nomination of Keith Sonderling as Secretary of Labor, submitting a letter of support to the leadership of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions that urges his swift confirmation.  

Sonderling, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)'s current acting secretary, has exhibited the strong leadership qualities as a public servant overseeing one of the federal government's most important agencies, with a keen understanding of labor and employment policy. 

The mission of the DOL is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States, as well as improve working conditions, advance opportunities for profitable employment, and assure work-related benefits and rights.

"It is vital that the individual who leads DOL be someone who will champion career pathways that support a diverse array of industries, engage with the private sector to train our nation's evolving workforce, and can connect the dots between the activities that enhance Americans' lives and the robust, job-creating industries that support them. Keith Sonderling is that individual," the letter says. 

Karen Bailey-Chapman, SEMA Senior Vice President for Public and Government Affairs, expanded on the letter's sentiments: "D.C. functions best when our cabinet-level leaders walk the walk, and our experience is that Keith Sonderling gets it––he's shown serious acumen for understanding how to build up industries where innovation is a direct pathway to sustainable job growth and American prosperity." 

SEMA connected in person with Acting Secretary Sonderling last week, and we were excited by his passion for the automotive community and knowledge of motorsports and racing. Watch the interview below:

The automotive aftermarket industry that SEMA represents employs more than 1.3 million Americans and pays wages and benefits in excess of $104 billion; the motorsports industry represents a career path for more than 300,000. These economically significant sectors of the economy employ more Americans than the U.S. airline industry.