7TH ANNUAL
REGIONAL AUTO GROWTH SUMMIT
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CENTER FOR AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCH
The Dynamic Changes & Challenges in Today’s Auto Industry
The purpose of the Auto Summit is to foster the growth of the regional auto industry by sharing the expertise and resources of the Center for Automotive Research and by stimulating the interaction of our regional automotive-related business and industry.
8:00 am Registration & Networking
8:30 am Program
Welcome from David Berger, Mayor, the City of Lima and Dr. Cynthia Spiers, Interim President, Rhodes State College
8:45 a.m.
Steve Couvillon, Director of Technology, American Trim Mr. Couvillon will provide an overview of how a mid-size supplier to both the auto and heavy-duty truck markets successfully manages innovation in a rapidly transforming industrial environment.
9:15 a.m.
Elliott Forsyth, VP, Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center Mr. Forsyth is
responsible for leading MMTC’s strategy, marketing, and business development. He will be addressing the implementation of cybersecurity regulations
affecting the auto industry.
9:45 am
Bernard Swiecki, Director, Automotive Communities Partnership, Center for
Automotive Research, and Asst. Director of CAR’s Industry, Labor & Economics Group. Mr. Swiecki manages research projects, including CAR’s analysis
of vehicle markets and production data. He has a BA from U of M, and an MS
from Eastern Michigan. Mr. Swiecki will be sharing with us the current economic outlook for the Auto Industry.
10:15 am.
Kristin Dziczek, Director of Industry, Labor & Economics, Center for Automotive Research. Ms. Dziczek joined CAR in 2005, has more than 25 years of
experience as a researcher and policy analyst, and is globally recognized as
an expert on automotive labor, employment, and trade issues. Ms. Dziczek
will offer an informed perspective on global trade and labor issues affecting
the auto industry.
10: 45 a.m.
Break
11:00 a.m.
Nick DeGrands, Manufacturing Manager, Ford Motor Company. Mr. DeGrands
recently returned from a 6-year assignment to launch Ford’s manufacturing
facilities in Chongqing, China. This followed a 25-year career at the Lima Engine Plant. He will share his experiences and insights into the competitive issues that the rise of the Chinese economy represents US interests.
11: 30 a.m.
Jason Stanford, Development Services Mgr., Union County-Marysville
Mr. Stanford will provide an update on Ohio’s Route 33 Smart Mobility Corridor
the project, a 35-mile highway corridor viewed as the Midwest’s premier location
for the testing of connected and smart mobility technologies.
12:00 p.m.
Buffet Lunch
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