"John brings a wealth of experience and business savvy to this position," said Thomas J. Donohue, Chamber President and CEO. "He will be an integral part of spreading the Chamber's pro-business message to our members and partners both here in the United States and overseas."

During his term as vice chairman, Bachmann will work closely with Donohue and new chairman Jeffrey Crowe of Landstar Systems, traveling the country and addressing state and local chambers, American chambers of commerce abroad and other business leaders. The chamber's priorities for the upcoming year include promoting steady economic growth through tax relief, addressing the rising cost of health care and pursuing medical liability reform, pushing for partnerships in the protection of the nation's infrastructure and homeland security, among other issues.

Bachmann has served on the U.S. Chamber's board since 1995, working on a number of different committees and also served as a regional vice chairman since 2001. Under Bachmann's leadership, Edward Jones twice topped Fortune magazine's list of "The Best Company to Work For" in America. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Wabash College, as well as a master's in finance from Northwestern University.

Bachmann is also a graduate of the Institute of Investment Banking at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business, the recipient of an honorary Doctor of Laws from Wabash College and an honorary Doctor of Arts from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He recently received the 2003 Kellogg Award for Distinguished Leadership from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation, representing more than 3 million businesses of every size, sector and region.

Edward Jones, the only major financial-services firm advising individual investors exclusively, traces its roots to 1871 and currently serves more than 6 million clients. The firm offers its clients a variety of investments, including certificates of deposit, taxable and non-taxable bonds, stocks and mutual funds.

The largest firm in the nation in terms of branch offices, Edward Jones currently has more than 8,800 offices in the U.S. and, through its affiliates, in Canada and the United Kingdom. Plans call for expansion to 10,000 offices in 2004.