News Release
UDM hosts 2008 Ford Innovation Symposium with Derrick Kuzak and the Future of Ford
The auto industry is the largest manufacturing sector in America, making a huge economic impact on each and every segment of our nation's economy, from construction to retail. No state has felt that impact more strongly than Michigan.
The University of Detroit Mercy College of Engineering & Science is sponsoring the 2008 Ford Innovation Symposium on Monday, Sept. 15, 2008 at 6 p.m. in Engineering Building, Room 237. Symposium speakers will discuss some of the current and future innovations that have brought Ford Motor Company to the top. One of the most exciting innovations today is Ford’s award-winning SYNC system, which Ford reports should bring the automaker $1 million in sales by early 2009.
"American consumers are looking for new cutting-edge vehicles that are efficient, intelligent and green," said Leo Hanifin, dean of the College of Engineering & Science at UDM. "And companies like Ford Motor Company are continually driving hard to provide consumers such innovative products."
The Ford Symposium will be led by Derrick Kuzak '73, '77, Ford group vice president of Global Product Development and University alumnus. In this role at Ford, Kuzak has overall responsibility for all aspects of the company's Product Development System and leads the team responsible for offering more Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brand products, faster.
Kuzak began the global role in December 2006. Prior to that, he joined The Americas leadership team in August 2005, when he was named vice president, North America Engineering. In that role, he was responsible for engineering signoff of all North American vehicles and had direct responsibility for key commodities and common platform parts.
Prior to that assignment, Kuzak served as vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe, where he led the design and engineering of vehicles that accounted for the major proportion of the European market and significant growth areas in the world's emerging markets. He was also Ford of Europe's executive director, responsible for current and future medium car programs. Kuzak moved to that position in 2000, leading development processes for the most important vehicle segment in Europe, which included the Ford Focus.
Kuzak joined Ford in 1978 as a research engineer. Born in Detroit in 1951, he holds both B.E.E. and M.E. degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Detroit, where he also achieved a doctorate in Systems Engineering.
Other symposium speakers from Ford Motor Company include:
- Jim Buczkowski, director, Electrical and Electronic Systems Engineering
- Amy Garby, Innovation project leader
- Joe Pierucci, manager, Advanced Product Strategy
- Hermann Salenbauch, director, Advanced Product Creation and Special Vehicle Team
"SYNC is already a hit among customers for its exceptional Bluetooth-connectivity for mobile phones and full voice control of media devices including MP3 players on the road, but we’re not stopping there," said Kuzak.
"Ford is answering customers' calls for even greater connectivity with the best technology solutions from companies like Microsoft and SIRIUS, connecting customers with mobile devices, important information they need on the road and bringing the experience to life with the latest in navigation technology and branded audio," Kuzak said.
Starting this year, Ford began pioneering a new era of satellite communications, aggressively moving beyond music and into data delivery. With the launch of Ford’s next-generation navigation systems, the company will become the first automaker to offer SIRIUS Travel Link.
Seating for the Ford Innovation Symposium is limited. Guests are asked to RSVP prior to the event by contacting Melanie Dara at (313) 993-1218.
Release date: August 18, 2008
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