Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) President Dennis Slater has announced the launch of an online contest to find the individual who best “makes America” through hard work, dedication to their community and devotion to American manufacturing. AEM’s successful grassroots advocacy campaign, I Make America, will host the contest.

I Make America is inviting supporters to visit the campaign’s Facebook page or website to share their own stories, or nominate a friend, neighbor or co-worker. The contest winner will be featured as I Make America’s citizen spokesperson and will receive a $1,000 award.

“I Make America has been extremely successful in engaging supporters on the grassroots level to advocate for pro-manufacturing policies and a stronger America,” Slater said. “The Who Makes America contest provides an opportunity to highlight the hardworking men and women who have joined the campaign and encourages more to make their voices heard.

“As we believe all the best ideas and advocacy come from the grassroots level, the best way to decide which individual best embodies the vision of ’making America’ is to hold a public voting period to allow supporters to nominate and vote for the winner,” Slater continued. “There are many people whose devotion to our communities and our industry help to make America and it’s time their work is honored.”

From January 28 through March 4, 2013, participants may visit the I Make America Facebook page to submit a photo and tell us how their nominee makes America. The contest will also be accepting nominations on the I Make America website. The contest winner will be announced following a period of public voting, which will run from March 4 to March 15, 2013.