COLLECTION FINDING AID



JOHN C. VICKERMAN FILES, 1974-77

Director for Business and Trade Associations
Office of Public Liaison




SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Material concerning his work organizing White House meetings and briefings for business and trade associations, and other aspects of liaison work with these groups.

QUANTITY
15.2 linear feet (ca. 30,400 pages)

DONOR
Gerald R. Ford (accession number 77-12 and 77-107)

ACCESS
Open. Some items are temporarily restricted under terms of the donor's deed of gift, a copy of which is available on request, or under National Archives and Records Administration general restrictions (36 CFR 1256).

COPYRIGHT
Gerald Ford donated to the United States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to remain with them. Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public domain.

Prepared by Barbara White, October 1984
[s:\bin\findaid\vickerman, john - files.doc]


BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION


John C. Vickerman


November 7, 1937 - Born, Canton, South Dakota

1955-57 - Student, Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD

1959 - B.J., University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

1959-62 - Active duty, United States Navy

1963-63 - Graduate study in government, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD

1964 - Assistant Director, Office of Budget, South Dakota

1964-68 - Editor & publisher, Sioux Valley News, Canton, SD

1969 - Assistant, Congressman Ben Reifel, Washington, DC

1969 - Assistant Administrator for Congressional and Public Affairs, Small Business Administration, Washington, DC

1970 - Assistant Administrator for Management, Small Business Administration

1970-72 - South Dakota District Director, Small Business Administration, Sioux Falls, SD

1973-74 - Deputy Special Assistant to the President, Presidential Personnel Office, The White House

1974 - Executive Assistant to Counsellor to the President Anne Armstrong, The White House

1974-75 - Executive Secretary, Federal Property Council

1974-77 - Director for Business and Trade Associations, Office of Public Liaison, The White House

1977 - Consultant, American Society of Association Executives, Washington, DC


INTRODUCTION

John C. Vickerman joined the White House staff in 1973. Early in the Ford administration he served as Executive Assistant to Counsellor Anne Armstrong and as Executive Secretary of the Federal Property Council. He was appointed to the Office of Public Liaison as Director for Business and Trade Associations on December 18, 1974. In this position he reported directly to William J. Baroody, Jr., Assistant to the President for Public Liaison.

Vickerman was responsible for White House liaison with leaders of business, labor and agricultural groups, including such organizations as the American Chamber of Commerce Executives and the National Macaroni Association. He initiated and ran "Tuesday and Wednesday Meetings" and irregular "Organization Briefings" for these groups. He also helped organizations with their difficulties in dealing with government agencies and represented the administration at association events.

The meetings and briefings provided a two‑way exchange between the White House and the private sector, and were often attended by the President, Vice President, or senior administration officials. The "Tuesday and Wednesday Meetings" allowed a discussion between government officials and participating groups, during which the latter ordinarily took the lead in presenting their problems and recommendations. In contrast, the "Organization Briefings" were conceived of as formal presentations by the government. The distinction between meetings and briefings blurred as time passed.

The majority of Vickerman's files contains material on various aspects of trade association and business briefings and meetings. It includes correspondence, agendas and briefing papers. The correspondence with the business and trade associations often reflects their major concerns, such as problems with federal regulatory agencies. The files show Vickerman's continual involvement with and service to the groups he supported. Included are correspondence which direct businesses to appropriate government offices to meet their needs and requests for presidential appearances and messages. The collection includes a small subject file related to the interests of these groups, such as housing and agriculture. Material on additional issues appear in the meeting files under the specific names of the organizations concerned. The collection contains no material from Vickerman's earlier White House positions.

Related Materials (October 1984)
Related materials include the files of: Jeffrey Eves, Office of Public Liaison, who proceeded Vickerman as liaison with business special interest groups; and Paul Leach, Domestic Council Staff, who handled small business programs and regulatory reform. In addition, White House Central files categories Business-Economics (BE) and Meeting-Conferences (MC), especially MC 4-5 and MC 4-6 regarding "Tuesday and Wednesday Meetings" at the White House, including related materials. Some materials reflecting Vickerman's work with the Federal Property Council appear in WHCF category FG 6-24.


SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

Meetings and Briefings File, 1974-77.  (Boxes 1‑30, 12.0 linear feet)
Correspondence between Vickerman and business associations and their leaders, memoranda, agendas, attendee lists, invitations, reports, and other materials, created or accumulated for meetings and briefings. In addition, correspondence relating to business and industry concerns appear, covering inflation, regulatory reform, small business programs and labor relations. Also included are materials on briefings.

Arranged alphabetically by subject, usually the name of an organization.

View container list for this series

Subject File, 1974-77. (Boxes 31‑38, 3.2 linear feet)
Correspondence between Vickerman and business associations and their leaders, memoranda, telegrams, reports, press releases, clippings and printed material concerning general business topics. Much of the correspondence were inquiries referred to other government offices. Subjects include legislation, the economy, regulatory reform, personnel appointments, and presidential messages. Also included are a few office administrative files.

Arranged alphabetically by subject.

View container list for this series


CONTAINER LIST

Box 1 - Meetings and Briefings File

  • Adhesive and Sealant Council (1)‑(2)
  • Alliance of Metalworking Industries (1)‑(2)
  • American Advertising Federation
  • American Association for the Advancement of Science
  • American Association of Advertising Agencies
  • American Bakers Association
  • American Bankers Association
  • American Chamber of Commerce Executives (1)‑(2)
  • American Enterprise Institute
  • American Federation of Information Processing Societies (1)‑(2)
  • American Fishing Tackle Manufacturers Association

Box 2 - Meetings and Briefings File

  • American Frozen Food Institute
  • American Gear Manufacturers Association
  • American Geological Institute
  • American Home Economics Association
  • American Hotel and Motel Association (1)‑(2)
  • American Industrial Development Council (1)‑(2)
  • American Institute of CPA's (1)‑(2)
  • American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers (1)‑(2)
  • American Life Insurance Association Economic Policy Committee (1)‑(2)
  • American Meat Institute
  • American National Cattlemen's Association

Box 3 - Meetings and Briefings File

  • American Optometric Association
  • American Retail Federation (1)‑(2)
  • American Society for Industrial Security
  • American Society of Association Executives (1)‑(3)
  • American Society of Pension Actuaries
  • American Supply Association
  • American University ‑ Beirut
  • Armco Steel Corporation
  • Associated Industries of Alabama
  • Association of American Publishers
  • Association of Government Accountants (1)‑(2)

Box 4 - Meetings and Briefings File

  • Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
  • Association of Institutional Distributers
  • Association of National Advertisers
  • Association of Private Pension and Welfare Plans (1)‑(4)
  • Attendees Lists (1)‑(3)
  • Automotive Council of America
  • Automotive Service Industry Association
  • Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association
  • Better Vision Institute

Box 5 - Meetings and Briefings File

  • Brand Names Foundation (1)‑(2)
  • Briefings Completed, 1975 ‑ Miscellaneous
  • Business Council (1)‑(3)
  • Business Council for International Understanding/Bank of Boston International
  • Business ‑ Government Relations Council
  • Business Records Manufacturers Association
  • Business Round Table (1)‑(2)
  • California Bankers Association
  • Car and Truck Renting and Leasing Association (1)‑(2)

Box 6 - Meetings and Briefings File

  • Carpet and Rug Institute
  • Cast Metals Federation
  • Chamber of Commerce of the United States
  • Chemical Industry Leaders
  • Chemical Specialties Manufacturers Association
  • Club Managers Association of America (1)‑(2)
  • Coal Conference
  • College of American Pathologists
  • Computer and Business Equipment Manufacturers Association
  • Construction, Housing and Labor Representatives (1)

Box 7 - Meetings and Briefings File

  • Construction, Housing and Labor Representatives (2)‑(3)
  • Cotton Warehouse Association of America
  • Council of Communications Societies (1)‑(2)
  • Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives (1)‑(3)
  • Detroit Economic Club
  • Direct Mail / Marketing Association (1)‑(3)
  • Direct Selling Association (1)

Box 8 - Meetings and Briefings File

  • Direct Selling Association (2)‑(3)
  • Distilled Spirits Council
  • Electric Power Companies
  • Electric Power Industry Executives
  • Electronic Industries Association (1)‑(2)
  • Electronic Representatives Association (1)‑(2)
  • Energy (1)‑(2)
  • Environment

Box 9 - Meetings and Briefings File

  • Environmental Balance Association (1)‑(2)
  • European Paper Mill Owners
  • Explorers Club
  • Federal Employee Unions (1)‑(2)
  • Federation of Americans Supporting Science and Technology
  • Financial Executives
  • Financial Executives Institute
  • Firearms Organizations (1)‑(2)
  • Food Processing Industry Leaders (1)‑(2)
  • Food Processing Machinery and Supplies Association
  • Foodservice and Lodging Institute
  • Ford Motor Company

Box 10 - Meetings and Briefings File

  • Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association
  • General Aviation Manufacturers Association (1)‑(2)
  • George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association
  • Greater Hartford Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater South Dakota Association
  • Grocery Manufacturers of America (1)‑(2)
  • Hand Tools Institute
  • Harshe‑Rotman and Druck, Inc.
  • Hearing Aid Industry Conference
  • Helicopter Association of America
  • Hobby Industry of America
  • Holiday Inns (1)‑(3)
  • Hoover Institution (1)‑(2)

Box 11 - Meetings and Briefings File

  • Housing and Construction (1)‑(3)
  • Imported Hardwood Products Association
  • Industrial Heating Equipment Association
  • Industrial Safety Equipment Association
  • Insurance Industry Leaders
  • International Association of Wall and Ceiling Contractors (1)‑(2)
  • International Car Wash Association
  • International Council of Shopping Centers (1)‑(2)
  • International Management and Development Institute (1)‑(2)

Box 12 - Meetings and Briefings File

  • International Management and Development Institute (3)
  • International Snowmobile Industry Association (1)‑(2)
  • International Traders Association
  • Labor
  • Livestock and Poultry Producers (1)‑(3)
  • Livestock and Poultry Producers ‑ Biographies
  • McMahon Associates
  • Man‑Made Fiber Producers Association
  • March of Dimes
  • Meetings, 1974 ‑ Miscellaneous
  • Meetings, 1975 ‑ Miscellaneous (1)

Box 13 - Meetings and Briefings File

  • Meetings, 1975 ‑ Miscellaneous (2)‑(12)

Box 14 - Meetings and Briefings File

  • Meetings, 1976 ‑ Miscellaneous (1)‑(6)
  • Mississippi Economic Council
  • Mobile Home Manufacturers Association
  • Nassau County, NY, Business and Labor Leaders
  • National Association of Engine and Boat Manufacturers
  • National Association of Food Chains (1)‑(2)
  • National Association of Hosiery Manufacturers
  • National Association of Independent Insurers (1)

Box 15 - Meetings and Briefings File

  • National Association of Independent Insurers (2)‑(3)
  • National Association of Industrial Parks
  • National Association of Life Underwriters
  • National Association of Manufacturers
  • National Association of Plumbing‑Heating‑Cooling Contractors (1)‑(3)
  • National Association of State Development Agencies
  • National Association of Temporary Services (1)‑(3)
  • National Association of Truck Stop Operators
  • National Association of Wholesaler ‑ Distributors (1)‑(2)

Box 16 - Meetings and Briefings File

  • National Association of Wholesalers ‑ Distributors (3)
  • National Concrete Masonry Association
  • National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
  • National Council of Professional Services Firms (1)‑(2)
  • National Council of the Churches of Christ
  • National Council to Control Handguns
  • National Education Association
  • National Electrical Manufacturers Association
  • National Endowment for the Humanities (1)‑(3)
  • National Environmental Systems Contractors Association

Box 17 - Meetings and Briefings File

  • National Farm Credit Directors
  • National Forest Products Association (1)‑(6)
  • National Federation of Independent Business
  • National Fluid Power Association
  • National Frozen Food Association
  • National Independent Meat Packers Association
  • National Industrial Council (1)

Box 18 - Meetings and Briefings File

  • National Industrial Council (2)‑(4)
  • National Investor Relations Institute (1)‑(2)
  • National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (1)‑(2)
  • National Macaroni Manufacturers Association
  • National Machine Tool Builders Association
  • National Minority Purchasing Council
  • National Office Products Association
  • National Oil Jobbers Council

Box 19 - Meetings and Briefings File

  • National Paint and Coatings Association
  • National Paper Box Association
  • National Parking Association
  • National Pest Control Association (1)‑(4)
  • National Precast Concrete Association
  • National Restaurant Association
  • National Right to Work Committee (1)‑(3)

Box 20 - Meetings and Briefings File

  • National Roofing Contractors Association
  • National School Transportation Association
  • National Society of Professional Engineers
  • National Soft Drink Association
  • National Steel Erectors Association (1)‑(2)
  • National Wool Growers Association (1)‑(2)
  • Northeastern Poultry Producers Council
  • Nuclear Power
  • Optical Manufacturers Association
  • Opticians Association of America
  • Outdoor Power Equipment Institute
  • Pacific Northwest Waterways Association
  • Petrochemical Energy Group

Box 21 - Meetings and Briefings File

  • President Ford Finance Committee
  • Presidential Activity, 1974
  • Presidential Activity, 1975 (1)‑(5)
  • Presidential Invitations, 1974
  • Presidential Invitations, 1975 (1)‑(2)
  • Presidential Invitations, 1976
  • President's Commission on Personnel Interchange
  • Printing Industries of America (1)‑(2)

Box 22 - Meetings and Briefings File

  • Producers' Council
  • Product Liability Conference/Capital Goods Industry (1)‑(3)
  • Public Affairs Council
  • Public Broadcasting Service
  • Public Relations Society of America
  • Public Relations Society of America (Acceptances) (1)‑(4)

Box 23 - Meetings and Briefings File

  • Public Relations Society of America (Regrets)
  • Public Relations Society of America ‑ Consumerism Conference
  • Refractory Metals Association (1)‑(2)
  • Republican Eagles
  • Republican Leaders
  • Republican Supporters
  • Restaurant Association
  • Rockford Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Rubber Manufacturers Association
  • Salt Institute
  • San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
  • Savings Association League of N.Y. State
  • Securities Industries Association (1)‑(2)
  • Senior Citizens Organizations Representatives (1)‑(2)
  • Small Business

Box 24 - Meetings and Briefings File

  • Society of American Wood Preservers
  • Society of Independent Professional Earth Scientists
  • Society of Industrial Realtors
  • Society of the Plastics Industry
  • Solar Energy Industries Association (1)‑(2)
  • Speaker Invitations, 1975 (1)‑(4)
  • Speaker Invitations, 1976 (1)‑(3)
  • Stamford, CT, Area Commerce and Industry Association

Box 25 - Meetings and Briefings File

  • State of the Union Briefings (1)‑(2)
  • State of the Union Briefings, 1/22/76 (1)‑(2)
  • State of the Union Briefings, 1/23/76
  • State of the Union Briefings, 1/26/76 (1)‑(3)
  • State of the Union Briefings ‑ Acceptances, 1/22/76 (1)‑(3)

Box 26 - Meetings and Briefings File

  • State of the Union Briefings ‑ Acceptances, 1/22/76 (4)‑(6)
  • State of the Union Briefings ‑ Acceptances, 1/23/76 (1)‑(5)

Box 27 - Meetings and Briefings File

  • State of the Union Briefings ‑ Acceptances, 1/26/76 (1)‑(3)
  • State of the Union Briefings ‑ Mailing Labels (1)‑(3)
  • State of the Union Briefings ‑ Mailing Lists (1)‑(4)
  • State of the Union Briefings ‑ Regrets

Box 28 - Meetings and Briefings File

  • Steel Service Center Institute (1)‑(2)
  • Tax Foundation (1)‑(3)
  • Texas Association of Business
  • TraveLodge Coordinating Council
  • Tuesday and Wednesday Meetings (1)‑(2)
  • Tuesday and Wednesday Meetings ‑ Sample Memoranda Formats
  • United Airlines
  • United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association
  • United Negro College Fund
  • United States Department of Agriculture Young Executives
  • United States Gymnastics Safety Association

Box 29 - Meetings and Briefings File

  • U.S. Industrial Payroll Savings Committee
  • U.S. League of Savings Association (1)‑(2)
  • U.S. Steel
  • Uranium Enrichment
  • Valve Manufacturers Association
  • Washington Communications Counselors
  • Water Pollution Control Federation
  • Water Quality Association
  • Western Michigan Business Leaders (1)‑(2)
  • Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce
  • White House (Field) Conferences ‑ Inquiries (1)‑(2)

Box 30 - Meetings and Briefings File

  • White House (Field) Conferences Inquiries (3)‑(4)
  • White House (Field) Conferences on Domestic and Economic Affairs (1)‑(3)
  • Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association
  • Young Presidents' Organization (1)‑(3)

Box 31 - Subject File

  • Agriculture (1)‑(4)
  • Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
  • American Corn Millers Federation
  • Banking and Finance (1)‑(2)
  • Coal Negotiations
  • Correspondence, 1974
  • Correspondence, 1975 (1)‑(4)

Box 32 - Subject File

  • Correspondence, 1975 (5)‑(9)
  • Correspondence, 1976 (1)‑(6)

Box 33 - Subject File

  • Correspondence, 1976 (7)‑(17)

Box 34 - Subject File

  • Correspondence, 1976 (18)‑(20)
  • Electronic Fund Transfers, National Commission (1)‑(3)
  • Energy (1)‑(2)
  • Federal Election Commission (1)‑(3)

Box 35 - Subject File

  • Housing and Urban Development (1)‑(3)
  • Insurance ‑ No Fault
  • Investment Tax Credit ‑ Ad Hoc Committee (1)‑(2)
  • Labor
  • Legislation (1)‑(2)
  • Office of Public Liaison ‑ Memoranda (1)‑(2)
  • Office of Public Liaison ‑ Publicity
  • Personnel (1)‑(2)

Box 36 - Subject File

  • Personnel (3)‑(4)
  • Pittron Steel Company (1)‑(3)
  • Presidential Messages, 1974
  • Presidential Messages, 1975 (1)‑(3)
  • Presidential Messages, 1976 (1)‑(3)

Box 37 - Subject File

  • Presidential Messages, 1976 (4)‑(6)
  • Productivity and Work Quality, National Commission
  • Referrals, 1975 (1)‑(6)
  • Referrals, 1976 (1)‑(2)

Box 38 - Subject File

  • Referrals, 1976 (3)‑(6)
  • Regulations
  • Republican National Committee
  • Seafood
  • Small Business (1)‑(2)
  • South Dakota
  • Transportation (1)‑(2)
  • White House Memoranda (1)‑(2)
  • White House Staff
  • White House Tours
  • Women
  • Items Transferred