Trump creates CEO advisory panel on policy

Donald Trump said Friday he is forming an advisory panel of the nation’s top chief executives to help steer policy decisions in his administration.

The president-elect said he would begin meeting with 16 top CEOs representing a wide array of multinational entertainment, technology and financial firms in February to discuss economic policies to create jobs and boost growth.

{mosads}“This forum brings together CEOs and business leaders who know what it takes to create jobs and drive economic growth,” Trump said in the statement.

“My administration is committed to drawing on private sector expertise and cutting the government red tape that is holding back our businesses from hiring, innovating and expanding right here in America.”

On Thursday, Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence traveled to Indianapolis to take a victory lap after convincing Carrier and its parent company, United Technologies, to keep 1,100 jobs in the state, 800 of which were being moved to Mexico. 

Trump touted the move as proof that his willingness to engage with U.S. companies will convince them not to move their operations overseas.

Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman will head up the strategic and policy forums, which will provide advice on how “government policy impacts economic growth, job creation and productivity,” according to a statement by the transition team.

Other members of the group include Bob Iger with The Walt Disney Company; Larry Fink, of BlackRock; Doug McMillon, who heads Wal-Mart Stores; Jim McNerney, former chairman of Boeing; Jamie Dimon, head of JPMorgan Chase; and Ginni Rometty, of IBM.

Throughout his second term, President Obama worked with the nation’s top executives on issues such as expanding global trade, immigration reform and keeping the Export-Import Bank running at full capacity.