Biden’s "Build Back Better" platform on industry, technology, infrastructure and green transition is terrific. What remains to be seen is how it will be carried out.

What’s at issue is a large-scale industrial policy to re-shore supply chains, develop the next generation of green technology, and connect those dots to a massive jobs and infrastructure program. These goals involve several cabinet departments, and cry out for coordination at the highest level.

It would be smart to appoint a senior person with the full backing of the president and lodge that person at the National Economic Council—with authority to coordinate how different departments and presidential actions make the four-way connection between technology policy, reviving industry, transition to renewables, and job-intensive infrastructure.

People with the knowledge of trade and industry and the savvy to get this done do not grow on trees. Three who come to mind are:

Gene Sperling. A veteran of the more progressive wings of both the Clinton and Obama administrations, Sperling did not get one of the top Biden jobs. But Sperling, who was a major participant in devising Build Back Better, would be well suited to helping to carry it out.

Mike Wessel. A widely respected policy expert at the juncture of industry and trade policy, Wessel was runner-up for U.S. Trade Rep. He’s too senior for one of the USTR deputy jobs, but too talented not to be in the mix. Wessel is famous for getting along with all players.

Simon Johnson. An MIT economist and former chief economist for the International Monetary Fund, Johnson has worked closely with the Biden campaign and is being touted for one of the sub-cabinet posts at Treasury. But he knows the connections between industry, finance, and trade, and could also do the industry coordinator job well.

Biden needs to build back better, and he needs to staff up accordingly. For more on the president-elect's industrial policy, click here.