PMA leader was friend to small business
HARRISBURG (Nov. 3) — NFIB Executive State Director Kevin Shivers today issued the following statement on the death of Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association Chairman of the Board of Directors Frederick W Anton:
“I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of PMA Chairman Fred Anton. Pennsylvania’s business community lost a true champion, and on a personal level, I lost a great mentor and friend.
“Not only was Fred the leader and chief advocate for Pennsylvania’s manufacturing community, but he also was a tremendous ally with NFIB and small business in our state. Over the course of 16 years of my tenure at NFIB, the PMA under Fred’s leadership and the NFIB joined forces on some of the state’s most important jobs-related legislative accomplishments and helped to defeat numerous proposals that would ruin the jobs climate in Pennsylvania.
“Among his greatest accomplishments was his tireless work to unify large and small businesses on many issues before the general assembly. The business community in Pennsylvania today is more unified than at any time in the last four decades, in large part due to the leadership and hard work of Fred Anton.
“Fred was a trusted advisor to US senators, Pennsylvania governors, members of our congressional delegation, and the General Assembly. While some considered Fred the patron saint of Pennsylvania’s modern conservative movement, he also counted among his closest friends the likes of the late US Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA), former Speaker of the House Bob O’Donnell (D-Phila), and Governor Ed Rendell (D-Phila.).
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Fred’s family and the staff at the PA Manufacturers’ Association.”