MOUNTAIN VIEW, California, March 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Manufacturing Leadership Community, the global business network for senior industrial executives, today announced the election of Eric Fidoten, Vice President of Supply Chain Strategy and Operations Excellence at Campbell Soup Company, and John D. Gagel, Corporate Manager of Sustainability at Lexmark International Inc., to the Manufacturing Leadership Council's Board of Governors.

In unanimous votes, the Board of Governors, which steers the Manufacturing Leadership Council and its global community of more than 6,600 industry executives, approved both nominations earlier this month. With these appointments, the Board of Governors' ranks expand to 17 members from organizations such as Ford Motor Company, Lockheed Martin, Dell, Cisco Systems, UCLA, MIT, Tata Motors, the University of Cambridge, and GlaxoSmithKline.

"We are delighted to welcome Eric Fidoten and John Gagel to the Board of Governors," said David R. Brousell, Global Vice President and Editorial Director of the Manufacturing Leadership Community. "John's expert insights into the increasingly important issues around manufacturing sustainability and regulation and Eric's deep understanding of the shifting global supply chain environment and the urgency of operational efficiency will be great assets to the Board in its continued research and exploration of the critical issues facing the manufacturing industry."

"I am honored to be elected to the Manufacturing Leadership Board of Governors on behalf of Campbell," said Fidoten. "I look forward to contributing to the Council's efforts in developing strategies to help shape the future of manufacturing in new and innovative ways."

At Campbell, Fidoten is responsible for developing global supply chain strategy, leading global operational excellence programs, and supply chain M&A activity. He also oversees the company's safety and health processes and the roll out of its high performance work systems. He joined Campbell in 2007 as Vice President Supply Chain, North American Food Service. Previously he held senior supply chain positions with Kraft Foods, Nabisco, Scott Paper, and the Cummins Engine Company. He has worked in many locations throughout the U.S. and also in Europe. Fidoten holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and history from Washington University, St. Louis, and a Masters in industrial labor relations from Cornell University.

"Sustainability is key to Lexmark, as we strongly believe that the way we conduct our business is as important as the quality of our products, solutions and services," said John Gagel, Corporate Manager of Sustainability at Lexmark International, Inc. "It is an honor and privilege to be appointed to the Board of Governors, and I look forward to working with my fellow members to continue to help guide and direct the Manufacturing Leadership Council."

Gagel is responsible for the corporate management of all global sustainability and corporate social responsibility strategy and initiatives at Lexmark International. He serves as the Chair of the Lexmark Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) cross-functional team, is responsible for Lexmark's annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report, and is the Corporate Manager for Environmental, Health and Safety in all Lexmark operations globally. He is also the company's representative to the Advisory Council of the Duke University Center for Sustainability and Commerce, the University of Kentucky's College of Engineering Institute for Sustainable Manufacturing, and The Nature Conservancy of Kentucky Corporate Sustainability Council. Gagel is certified in the comprehensive practice of industrial hygiene by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) and holds a bachelor's degree in biology (cum laude) from the State University of New York College at Fredonia.

About The Manufacturing Leadership Community

The Manufacturing Leadership Community (MLC), part of Frost and Sullivan, is the world's foremost member-driven, global business leadership network dedicated to senior executives in the manufacturing industry. The Manufacturing Leadership Community's mission is to help senior manufacturing sector executives define and shape a better future for themselves, their organizations, and the industry at large. The MLC produces an extensive portfolio of leadership networking, information and professional development products, programs, and services including the Manufacturing Leadership Community Website, an online global business network with over 6,600 members around the world; the Manufacturing Leadership Council, an invitation-only executive organization of over 100 members; the annual Manufacturing Leadership Summit – The Next Industrial Revolution (June 3-5 2014, The Breakers, Palm Beach, Fl.; the Manufacturing Leadership Awards celebrating industry achievement and innovation; and the thought-leading industry publication, the Manufacturing Leadership Journal.

The Manufacturing Leadership Board of Governors

The Manufacturing Leadership Board of Governors comprises senior executives and industry experts at leading manufacturing, academic and research organizations around the world including Ford Motor Company, Lockheed Martin, Dell, Cisco Systems, Campbell Soup Company, Lexmark International, GlaxoSmithKline in the U.K., Tata Motors in India, Doosan in South Korea, Virtex Enterprises, S&S Hinge, MIT, UCLA, University of Cincinatti, the University of Cambridge's Institute for Manufacturing, and Frost & Sullivan.

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SOURCE Frost & Sullivan