WMU News

Chrysler executive to be program's first executive-in-residence

April 14, 1998

KALAMAZOO -- A Chrylser Corp. executive will visit Western Michigan University Thursday and Friday, April 16 and 17, as the first executive-in-residence of the University's Integrated Supply Management Program.

David P. Hodgson, executive director of supply for Chrysler, will deliver a free public lecture on "The Role of Chrysler Supply" at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Room 1120 of Schneider Hall. During his visit, he also will meet with students informally and in the classroom as well as with faculty members and University administrators.

Hodgson, who began his career with Chrysler in 1972, is responsible for a wide range of logistics, production and material supply functions as well as the systems to support those activities. Most recently he has implemented "lean manufacturing" material flow processes at all Chrysler manufacturing facilities.

According to Dr. Robert Landeros, associate professor of management in WMU's Haworth College of Business, the Executive-in-Residence Program was launched this year with funding from the Chrysler Corp. Fund to bring prominent supply chain management leaders to the campus to interact with students preparing for careers in that field. It is intended to become an annual event.

"We want to make sure our Integrated Supply Management Program is driven by industry," Landeros says. "The only way to do that is to have executives like David Hodgson interact with our students, visit with our faculty, see what we're teaching in the classroom and make sure it's in line with what industry expects."

WMU's Integrated Supply Management Program is a joint effort by the Haworth College of Business and the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. It offers the nation's first undergraduate degree program that integrates both the business and technological aspects of the material supply system.

For more information about Hodgson's visit, persons may contact Landeros at (616) 387-5988.

Media contact: Cheryl Roland; cheryl.roland@wmich.edu


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