Event
Symposium Agenda
7:30 am – Registration, Breakfast & Networking
8:00 am – Opening of Symposium
Stacy Whiddon, Chief Academic Officer, Schoolcraft College
8:15 am – Session 1 – Keynote – What does the Future Mobility Landscape Look Like?
Quentin Messer, CEO, Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
8:45 am – Session 2– Top Mobility & Auto Manufacturing Companies in Michigan
Moderator: John Walsh, President & CEO, Michigan Manufacturers Association
Justin Allen, Director of Powertrain Testing, Bosch North America
Paul Bowser, Director of Prototype Services, Roush
David Venegas, Senior Manager, Human Resources & Business Partner, Nissan/MAGMA
9:45 am – Networking Break
10:15 am – Session 3– Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) – Moderated Student Panel
Moderator: Dave Lalain, Vice President, AIAG
Liam Fahey, SC Student
Hunter Hoehn, SC Student
Steven Kardos, SC Student
Peter Meyers, SC Student
Maurisha Rumph, SC Student
Mike Sickinger, SC Student
10:45 am – Session 4– Regional Community College Investment in EV & Mobility Panel
Moderator: Rob Leadley, Executive Director – Business Services & Talent Development, Schoolcraft College
Frank Abkenar, Mobility Sector Liaison, Schoolcraft College
Drew Coleman, Senior Director, MICHauto, Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce
Karen Maxton, Employment & Internship Coordinator, Schoolcraft College
Dr. Deb Volzer, Director of Government & Workforce Partnerships, Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)
11:45 am – Lunch / Working Breakout Sessions
1:30 pm – Working Breakout Session Debrief
Moderator: Dan West, President & CEO, Livonia-Westland Chamber of Commerce
2:00 pm – Session 5 – Closing Keynote Speaker – Quality in Mobility 4.0/5.0 Initiatives
Jim Gorman, Vice President, Business Development & Strategy, Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC)
2:30 pm – Conclusion of Symposium
Speaker Bios
Stacy Whiddon
Chief Academic Officer
Schoolcraft College
Stacy Whiddon is the Chief Academic Officer at Schoolcraft College overseeing the 130 academic programs, Personal and Professional Learning (PPL), the Business Development Center, Conference and Events, and Culinary Operations.
Stacy has more than 25 years of diverse educational experience. She started as a K-12 classroom educator, has been a leader in distance education curriculum and technology since 2000, was an Instructor with Portland State University and consulted for many years. Prior to becoming the Chief Academic Officer, Stacy worked in the roles of Instructional Designer, Associate Dean, and Dean of Distance Learning & Faculty Development at Schoolcraft College.
As an academic and administrative leader, Stacy is focused on providing transformational experiences for students, faculty, and staff. She is passionate about providing students access to quality education through flexible modalities and building cost effectiveness into programs, for example, enabling the completion of the Michigan Transfer Agreement using Open Educational Resources.
She holds two degrees from Michigan State University-a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the James Madison College and a Master of Arts in Curriculum & Teaching.
Quentin Messer
CEO
Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
President and Chair – Michigan Strategic Fund
As CEO and Chief Economic Competitiveness Officer of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and President and Chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund, Quentin implements and executes MEDC’s core mission of business development and attraction, community development, providing access to capital and enhancing Michigan’s brand with a focus on building a strong, equitable economy for all Michiganders. He manages the administration of all programs, funds, personnel, contracts, and other administrative functions of MEDC.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Quentin is a member of Governor Gretchen E. Whitmer’s cabinet and serves on the boards of the American Center for Mobility, Michigan Israel Business Accelerator, International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and Oklahoma University’s Economic Development Institute. He is a member of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s U.S. Investment Advisory Council, the University of Michigan’s Innovation Partnerships National Advisory Board, and the Michigan Council on Climate Solutions.
He was named by Financial Times as a member of the 2021 Agenda Diversity 100, Crain’s Detroit Business as one of the Newsmakers of the Year (2022) and 50 Names to Know in Government (2021), Biz New Orleans as CEO of the Year (2020) and Businessperson of the Year (2019), Consultants Connect as one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers (2020, 2019) and Ebony Magazine for its Ebony Power 100 as a Power Player (2018).
Prior to joining MEDC, Quentin was President & CEO at the New Orleans Business Alliance which, under his leadership, became one of fewer than 80 accredited economic development organizations worldwide by the IEDC. Quentin also previously served as the Assistant Secretary for Louisiana Economic Development.
EDUCATION/BACKGROUND
Quentin is an alumnus of the Boston Consulting Group and O’Melveny & Myers LLP and a degree recipient from Princeton and Columbia Universities.
To learn more about the MEDC, please visit, www.michiganbusiness.org
John Walsh
President & CEO
Michigan Manufacturers Association
John J. Walsh was named President & CEO of the Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA) in January 2020. MMA is the state’s leading advocate dedicated to securing a prosperous future for Michigan manufacturers through effective advocacy, meaningful education and strategic business services. Before taking on the role as MMA’s leader, John served as the State Budget Director for Michigan, Director of Strategic Policy for Governor Rick Snyder, three terms in the Michigan House of Representatives and as an executive at Schoolcraft College. John is the founder and served as principal with the law firm of Raymond, Walsh & Enwright, PC and his Juris Doctorate from Wayne State University College of Law. He is an Aspen Rodel Fellow and serves on numerous civic and philanthropic boards.
Justin Allen
Director of Powertrain Testing
Bosch North America
Justin Allen has been with Bosch for 21 years. He’s worked in the automotive body electronics & powertrain divisions during his career at Bosch. Over the last 20+ years at Bosch, he has held roles in systems engineering, advanced R&D, and leadership. Since 2021, he has been the head of powertrain testing in North America. Justin’s groups are helping lead the transformation into new powertrain topologies, while also maintaining responsibilities for the conventional powertrain products & systems.
Paul Bowser
Director of Prototype Services
Roush
For almost 30 years, Paul Bowser has worked with Roush’s prototype group to resolve the mobility industry’s most technically complex product development challenges. Having gained experience in Roush’s Electronics and Instrumentation groups, Bowser now serves as the Director of the company’s Garage Services, Wiring and Electrical teams. These groups provide prototype development, system fabrication and short run manufacturing services to the automotive, commercial vehicle and defense segments, integrating hybrid, electrification, DAT, ADAS and autonomous technologies. In addition to leading these technical teams, Bowser works with local post-secondary educational institutions to create training curricula that encourages the growth of our current employees as well as providing career pathways in the professional trades. He also oversees the training of existing employees in skills related to electric and autonomous vehicle technologies.
A US Army veteran, Bowser plays a key role in the Roush Veterans Initiative Program, recruiting veterans and helping to translate their military skills and experience into the civilian work environment.
David Venegas
Senior Manager, Human Resources & Business Partner
Nissan/MAGMA
David Venegas has been with Nissan for 20+ years. Over the last 20 years at Nissan, he has held various roles in talent acquisition, human resources and special projects for Nissan. Currently, Venegas is the Senior Manager, Human Resources & Business Partner for Nissan’s Technical Center in Farmington Hills, Nissan’s Test Track in Arizona, Nissan’s Silicon Valley Autonomous Vehicle research team, and Nissan’s Total Customer Satisfaction team in Smyrna, Tennessee.
Prior to joining Nissan, Venegas spent 8 years with Shell Oil Company and 3 years with Phillips Electronics. Venegas holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Management and Computational Math from Albion College and a Master of Arts degree in Labor and Industrial Relations from the University of Illinois.
David Lalain
VP Outreach & Engagement
AIAG
David Lalain is the VP of Outreach and Engagement at AIAG (Automotive Industry Action Group). I owe my 50 successful years in Quality to a long line of outstanding teachers beginning with Juran, Deming, and Crosby. As a retired Global Quality Director from PPG Industries, Inc., Quality leadership is my passion. Creating a common culture based on solid principles and aligning the organization to focus on our Customer’s success was my greatest honor.
Rob Leadley
Executive Director – Business Services & Talent Development
Schoolcraft College
Executive leadership experience in industry, academia, and research.
College Academic Administrator providing faculty support, curriculum development, and resource management for occupational programs, economic development, and natural sciences.
Executive in the pharmaceutical industry, in addition to independent consulting experience for academia and biotechnology, medical device, and contract service industries.
Over 30 years of biomedical research experience with particular emphasis on cardiovascular disease. Leader of international collaborative research projects involving academic and pharmaceutical scientists. Key contributor to major regulatory filings for novel compounds or approaches, co-inventor on two patents, and author of over 150 publications, invited reviews, and abstracts in cardiovascular research, specializing in anti-thrombotic pharmacology.
Frank Abkenar
Mobility Sector Liaison
Schoolcraft College
Frank Abkenar has joined Schoolcraft College to drive development of new programs to prepare students in the transition into the Automotive Mobility space.
Frank Abkenar was the Global Director, Powertrain and Vehicle Thermal Systems at Ford Motor Company till December 2022. In his last role at ford, he led all ICE powertrains, as well as ICE and BEV Vehicle Thermal Systems development and integration across Ford’s global engineering centers.
Mr. Abkenar has held several global roles in Product Development, Manufacturing, and Strategic Planning. Frank has also held several leadership roles in Europe and Asia Pacific.
Mr. Abkenar graduated from Oakland University with a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He also earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan.
Drew Coleman
Senior Director
MICHauto
Drew Coleman is the senior director of MICHauto at the Detroit Regional Chamber, leading the development and implementation of talent initiatives for the MICHauto program in close collaboration with the Chamber’s education and talent team. Coleman also oversees the overall implementation of MICHauto’s key pillars of advocacy and next-gen mobility as well as the research, convening, events, and marketing efforts of the program. Coleman joined the Chamber team in July 2022.
Prior to joining the Chamber, Coleman spent 10 years with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation leading the State of Michigan’s foreign direct investment program and business attraction strategy. Coleman graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Alma College as well as earned his MBA from Davenport University. Coleman also earned his Economic Development Finance Professional certification through the National Development Council.
Karen Maxton
Employment & Internship Coordinator
Schoolcraft College
Karen Maxton is the Employment and Internship Coordinator for Occupational Programs at Schoolcraft College. Based at the Manufacturing & Engineering Center (MEC), she works with multiple industry partners to create opportunities for students/graduates, while assisting employers with their talent pipeline. In addition to a broad array of employer partners, Karen also collaborates with K-12 schools, state and federal workforce development personnel, area chambers of commerce and many non-profit agencies. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Michigan Technological University and a Master of Science in Counseling and Guidance from the University of Nebraska – Omaha. She is a Certified Business Solutions Professional (CBSP), a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC).
Dr. Deb Volzer
Government and Workforce Partnerships
Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)
Deb Volzer leads the national and state strategies to increase the reach and impact of ongoing efforts as well as future aspirations in advancing SME’s workforce development goals. Deb has over 15 years of experience working with national, state, and local government agencies to align workforce needs, and over 25 years working with higher education in identifying, aligning, and developing relevant programming, with a focus on serving historically resilient populations. Prior to joining SME, Volzer worked with global organizations including Wiley and Pearson and held administrative and teaching positions at the Ohio Board of Regents (OLN), the Ohio State University, Franklin University and Ohio Dominican University. Volzer holds degrees from the University of Kansas, the Ohio State University and Yale University.
Dan West
President / CEO
Livonia-Westland Chamber of Commerce
Dan West has been the president of the Livonia Chamber of Commerce since November 2006. He is the chief executive of the nonpartisan, nonprofit trade organization that represents more than 950 members in and around Livonia. In his tenure at the chamber, he has led initiatives that promoted the Livonia community, regional collaboration, programs to build the future workforce, regional collaboration, and grow a culture of inclusion.
Jim Gorman
Vice President, Business Development & Strategy
Business Development & Strategy,Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC)
Jim Gorman is responsible for new and existing client engagements through strategy development and implementation. He oversees the Business Solutions Team to ensure Michigan manufacturers receive the service and support they need. Jim has extensive experience in process and product development, automation, strategic planning, portfolio management, operational efficiency and innovation. Jim holds multiple patents for automotive interior product innovations, several of which have been commercialized for serial production.
With more than 25 years of advanced manufacturing and product development experience, Jim has served as Director of Advanced Manufacturing & Systems Engineering for Detroit Manufacturing Systems, Executive Director of Product Engineering for INOAC Interior Systems and Executive Director of Engineering & Technology for Johnson Controls. Previously, Jim worked as an expatriate for Johnson Controls GmbH in Germany and Johnson Controls Japan in Tokyo, Japan.
Jim holds a BS in Engineering and an MBA from Michigan State University.