Obama jobs council to meet at McKinney, American Tobacco

The American Tobacco Historic District and ad agency McKinney will share some of the media spotlight with Cree when President Barack Obama and members of his Council on Jobs and Competitiveness gather in the Triangle Monday.

Obama will tour Cree, talk with workers and meet with Cree Chief Executive Officer Chuck Swoboda, who has become almost a familiar face to the president through a campaign stop at Cree and other meetings. Obama is pushing more efficient use of energy, which is a key feature of Cree’s light emitting diodes.

McKinney, which is based at American Tobacco, will host one of several meetings in the area that will include members of the Obama jobs group. Details are still sketchy about whom will attend and what other meetings will take place, but American Tobacco confirmed that McKinney will host members from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday.

Following the session, attendees will tour The American Underground, which is an area set aside at the complex for startup companies and related groups such as the Council for Entrepreneurial Development.

Council members and staff have also been invited to a Durham Bulls game on Sunday evening and a reception at the American Tobacco Bay 7 venue from 8 to 10 p.m.

"American Tobacco and our region are successfully making the transition from the economic engines of the past to the job generators of the future," said Michael Goodmon, who oversees the complex for owner Capitol Broadcasting, the parent company of WRAL-TV.

"By coming here, the President and the world-class business leaders who make up the Council on Jobs and Competitiveness are confirming we're on the right path, but also challenging us to think harder and achieve more," he added. "Together, we're up to that challenge."

Which members of Obama’s council will be in the Triangle for the meetings is something that might be disclosed Friday. Jeffrey Immelt, the top executive at GE, chairs the group.