Job Creators Network
The Job Creators Network (JCN) is a conservative U.S. advocacy group. It was founded by Bernie Marcus, the co-founder and former CEO of Home Depot.[1]
Overview
According to The Huffington Post, the organization has received significant funding from the Mercer Family Foundation, a private grant-making foundation that invested about $70 million into conservative causes between 2009 and 2014.[2][1]
Alfredo Ortiz, a former Pepsi and Kraft executive, was named president and CEO of JCN in January 2014.[3]
The organization advocates for lower taxes and fewer government regulations.[4]
JCN launched a "Bring Small Businesses Back" (BSBB) campaign in 2016. In April 2016, JCN hosted a BSBB event in Orlando featuring Frank Luntz, Mike Gallagher, and a panel of small business owners.[5]
The organization also runs the "Information Station" website, which offers "explainer" type videos and articles from a pro-business perspective.[6]
In February 2019, the group put up a billboard in New York City's Times Square blaming U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for Amazon's decision to abandon the building of the company's second headquarters in Queens.[7]
Membership
JCN was founded by Bernie Marcus, the co-founder and former CEO of Home Depot.[8] The organization's president is Alfredo Ortiz, a former Pepsi and Kraft executive. While the president and director of communications for the JCN foundation is Elaine Parker.[9][10] Its members include:
- Brad Anderson, former CEO and vice chairman of Best Buy[11]
- Heidi Ganahl, founder and CEO of Camp Bow Wow[12]
- Carlos Gazitua, CEO of Sergio's Restaurants[13]
- Doug Haugh, president of Mansfield Oil[14]
- Andy Puzder, CEO of CKE Restaurants[15]
References
- ^ a b Ma, Alexandra (2018-02-22). "Conservative business group escalates Times Square billboard feud with Ocasio-Cortez over Amazon HQ2 pullout". Business Insider. Retrieved 2018-02-22.
- ^ Vicky Ward (March 17, 2017). "The blow-it-all-up billionaires; When politicians take money from megadonors, there are strings attached. But with the reclusive duo who propelled Trump into the White House, there's a fuse". The Huffington Post. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
According to The Washington Post, the family donated $35 million to conservative think tanks and at least to $36.5 million to individual GOP races.
- ^ "Former Pepsi, Kraft Leader to Steer Job Creators Network". CSP Net. 5 February 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
- ^ "Job Creators Network Launches Major New Campaign to Bring Small Businesses Back". CBS 8. 13 January 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
- ^ Sentinel, Orlando. "Frank Luntz kicks off small biz tour here". OrlandoSentinel.com. Retrieved 2016-05-06.
- ^ Woodman, Spencer (January 14, 2017). "Force Workers to Watch Anti-Government Propaganda at Work? Trump's Labor Nominee Says Yes". The Nation.
- ^ Axelrod, Tal (February 20, 2019). "Conservative group blasts Ocasio-Cortez over Amazon with Times Square billboard". The Hill. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
- ^ "Labor Board Threatens an American Tradition". The Huffington Post. 30 September 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
- ^ Gilliland, Donald (2018-12-14). "Nearly the entire country gets it wrong on the minimum wage". TheHill. Retrieved 2018-12-15.
- ^ "About". Job Creators Network. Retrieved 2018-12-15.
- ^ "Raising Fed rate isn't a magic bullet: Column". USA Today. 20 December 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
- ^ "Franchise system under threat". Colorado Springs Gazette. 1 February 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
- ^ "Higher minimum wage puts the squeeze on business". Miami Herald. 6 September 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
- ^ "Presidential candidates take note: Energy independence already achieved". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 28 July 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
- ^ "Wages With Minimal Wiggle Room". The Wall Street Journal. 28 December 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2016.