By USDR
USDR received the following statements from the Trump transition team:
Andy Puzder for Labor
President-elect Donald J. Trump today announced his intent to nominate Andy Puzder, CEO of CKE Restaurants, as Secretary of the Department of Labor.
“Andy Puzder has created and boosted the careers of thousands of Americans, and his extensive record fighting for workers makes him the ideal candidate to lead the Department of Labor,” said President-elect Trump. “Andy will fight to make American workers safer and more prosperous by enforcing fair occupational safety standards and ensuring workers receive the benefits they deserve, and he will save small businesses from the crushing burdens of unnecessary regulations that are stunting job growth and suppressing wages.”
“I am honored to be nominated by President-elect Trump for Secretary of Labor. I look forward to the opportunity to help President-elect Trump restore America’s global economic leadership,” said Mr. Puzder. “The President-elect believes, as do I, that the right government policies can result in more jobs and better wages for the American worker. I’m proud to be offered the chance to serve in his Administration.”
“I congratulate Andy Puzder on his nomination by President-elect Trump to serve our nation as Secretary of Labor. As someone who has worked with CKE for more than three decades — from a restaurant crew member, to my current position as COO — I have personally witnessed the leadership Andy has demonstrated since he became CEO in 2000. He has always led CKE as an entrepreneurial company maintaining a focus on hard work and motivation instead of bureaucracy and red tape. Andy is someone who understands workers, their motivation, and what employees need in terms of job fulfillment and opportunities. Andy’s leadership has provided growth opportunities for employees throughout our entire organization and I know he will be steadfast in promoting the welfare and success of all hard working American citizens in this new role,” said Eric Williams, Chief Operating Officer of CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.
“Andy Puzder’s nomination as Secretary of Labor has given me even more faith in President-elect Trump’s commitment to leading America back to prosperity. I have seen numerous positive character traits in Andy while working with him at Carl’s Jr. as a restaurant owner and franchisee for the past 13 years: he is solid on his word, sincere in his approach, and very driven to overcome whatever challenges may come his way. He sincerely cares as much about our cashiers as he does about the restaurant owners. His foresight, vision and desire for fairness will help make nationwide economic prosperity an achievable destination. His work ethic has been an inspiration to all of us who have worked along side of him, and it has been a pleasure to learn from the best of the best. I know he is going to do an outstanding job as President-elect Trump’s Secretary of Labor,” said Troi Martin Wierdsma, Carl’s Jr. Owner.
“Andy is an exceptional choice to lead the Labor Department due to his business experience and policy acumen on so many issues impacting employers and employees in today’s economy. Andy would also be able to champion how the franchise business model, which generates a higher percentage of new jobs in the economy than non-franchises, are a key part of the solution to wage growth and upward mobility that so many voters are looking for out of policymakers in Washington,” said Robert Cresanti, President & CEO of the International Franchise Association.
“Mr. Puzder would provide welcome relief for the small business community that has had to endure years of regulatory assault. He is someone who deeply understands the regulatory burden facing job creators because it is one that he lives with every day running two of the nation’s most popular restaurant franchises,” said Alfredo Ortiz, President, Job Creators Network in the Daily Caller.
Andy Puzder was raised in a working class community in Cleveland, Ohio. Son of a car salesman, Andy earned his way through school while supporting his family by working in construction, landscaping and painting houses. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Cleveland State University, becoming the first in his family to graduate from college, and a law degree at Washington University.
From 1978 through 1991, Mr. Puzder was a trial lawyer in St. Louis, Missouri, before entering private practice in California. In 1995, Mr. Puzder served as the Executive Vice President and General Counsel for Fidelity National Financial Inc., managing one of the largest corporate legal departments in the country.
In 1997, Mr. Puzder was named Executive Vice President and General Counsel for CKE Restaurants, and in 2000, Mr. Puzder became president and CEO of CKE Restaurants, Inc. Puzder is credited with turning around both the Hardee’s brand and CKE, allowing the company to survive. It is now a quick-service food organization that owns or franchises more than 3,750 restaurants in the United States and around the world, generates $1.4 billion in annual revenue and, with its franchises, employs more than 75,000 people in the U.S.
In 2010, Mr. Puzder co-wrote the book Job Creation: How It Really Works and Why Government Doesn’t Understand It, in which he helped provide a framework for instilling strong optimism among U.S. businesses that will create millions of new jobs.
John Kelly for Homeland Security
President-elect Donald J. Trump today announced his intent to nominate General John Kelly as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
As Commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), Gen. Kelly oversaw U.S. military operations in Central and South America and the Caribbean, giving him unique insight into some of the challenges the United States faces at its southern border. Just as importantly, he was intimately involved in, and often coordinated, the whole of U.S. Government interagency efforts in the interdiction of drug and human trafficking, counterterrorism, human rights, and working with partners to safeguard southern approaches to the U.S. border.
“Gen. John Kelly’s decades of military service and deep commitment to fighting the threat of terrorism inside our borders makes him the ideal choice to serve as our Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security,” said President-elect Donald J. Trump. “He is the right person to spearhead the urgent mission of stopping illegal immigration and securing our borders, streamlining TSA and improving coordination between our intelligence and law enforcement agencies. With Gen. Kelly at the helm of DHS, the American people will have a leader committed to our safety as well as one who will work hand-in-hand with America’s rank-and-file TSA, ICE and Border Patrol officers.”
“I am humbled and grateful to be nominated to serve in President-elect Trump’s cabinet as Homeland Security Secretary,” said Gen. John Kelly. “The American people voted in this election to stop terrorism, take back sovereignty at our borders, and put a stop to political correctness that for too long has dictated our approach to national security. I will tackle those issues with a seriousness of purpose and a deep respect for our laws and Constitution. I am honored for the opportunity to be back in the service to our country, and our people.”
Gen. Kelly was born and raised in Boston. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1970, and was discharged as a sergeant in 1972. Following graduation from the University of Massachusetts in 1976, he was commissioned as an officer in the Marines. Since then, he has commanded at every level from platoon commander through corps level and combatant command in both peace and war.
During his many years as an officer he notably served as the Commandant’s Liaison Officer to the U.S. House of Representatives, and in a subsequent assignment to the entire U.S Congress as a brigadier general.
In another notable assignment, this time as a three star, he served as the senior military assistant to the Secretary of Defense from March 2011 to October 2012 before commanding the United States Southern Command.
Gary D. Cohn Takes Economic Posts
President-elect Donald J. Trump today announced his intent to appoint Gary D. Cohn as Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Director of the National Economic Council. A renowned business leader, Mr. Cohn will help to both design and coordinate the President-elect’s America First economic agenda and make sure increasing wages for American workers will be a top priority. He will also work closely with the President-elect’s economic team at the Treasury and Commerce Departments.
“As my top economic advisor, Gary Cohn is going to put his talents as a highly successful businessman to work for the American people,” said President-elect Donald J. Trump. “He will help craft economic policies that will grow wages for our workers, stop the exodus of jobs overseas and create many great new opportunities for Americans who have been struggling. He fully understands the economy and will use all of his vast knowledge and experience to make sure the American people start winning again.”
“Being chosen to serve in the President-elect’s administration is a great honor,” said Gary Cohn. “I share President-elect Trump’s vision of making sure every American worker has a secure place in a thriving economy, and we will be completely committed to building a nation of strength, growth and prosperity.”
In addition to his incredible business history, Mr. Cohn has an inspiring personal story. Growing up in Shaker Heights, Ohio, he was diagnosed at age seven with dyslexia, which made it difficult for him to read and spell. After receiving his bachelor’s degree at American University in Washington, D.C., Mr. Cohn worked for U.S. Steel and at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Since 1990, Mr. Cohn has worked at Goldman Sachs. His legendary toughness and tenacity, which helped him rise over a quarter century at Goldman Sachs to ultimately become the company’s president, will now be put to work on behalf of the American people.
0
0