RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) and its aftermarket affiliate association, the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), are applauding the nomination of John Bryson, former chief executive of California Edison, as secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

“Yesterday, President Obama announced his intent to nominate John Bryson as the new Secretary of Commerce,” said Bob McKenna, MEMA president and CEO. “We are very pleased with this development and are confident that Mr. Bryson will lead the Commerce Department as it works to further the nation’s manufacturing agenda.”

“Aftermarket suppliers and their counterparts in the heavy duty and original equipment sectors, are eager to work with Mr. Byson on job retention and expansion strategies as well as efforts to expand our manufacturing exports and improve our global competitiveness,” added Steve Handschuh, president and COO of AASA. “We welcome his nomination and look forward to continuing dialogue on issues important to the supplier industry.”

If confirmed by the Senate, Bryson would replace Gary Locke, who was nominated in March to be the new ambassador to China.

Bryson is best known for having headed Edison International, parent company of the Southern California Edison electric utility, during the state’s electricity market meltdown in 2000-01. He retired in 2008 and stepped down after 24 years with the company, including a stint as chief executive of Southern California Edison from 1984 to 1990. Bryson had been chief executive since 1990.

A graduate of Stanford and Yale Law School, Bryson was a co-founder in 1970 of the Natural Resources Defense Council, a leading environmental group. He pushed numerous green initiatives at Edison International.