Distinguished Alumni
Patrick Atkinson
Class of 1991
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Patrick Atkinson is a professor of Mechanical Engineering at Kettering University. He obtained a Ph.D. from Michigan State University in Mechanical Engineering, with expertise in bioengineering, crash safety, orthopedics, and solid mechanics (how things deform when they are pushed or pulled) and is working with orthopedic surgeons at McLaren Regional Medical Center to develop more effective treatment for injuries to the lower leg.
Lawrence D. Burns
Class of 1975
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Lawrence Burns was vice president of Research & Development and Strategic Planning for General Motors Corp. (GM), where he led the GM Research and Development Center for more than 30 years. Dr. Burns retired from GM in 2009 and is now teaching a new generation of engineers. He is a Professor at the University of Michigan, College of Engineering in Ann Arbor. Dr. Burns is also active on several Boards in SE Michigan, including UM’s Automotive Research Center. Dr. Burns joined GM in 1969 as a cooperative education student and served in many leadership capacities related to engineering and planning during his 40-year career. Dr. Burns has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from General Motors Institute, a master’s degree from the University of Michigan and a Doctorate in civil engineering from the University of California at Berkley.
Troy A. Clarke
Class of 1978
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering
Troy Clarke retired from General Motors Corp. in 2009. He was President of General Motors North America and group vice president for General Motors Corporation. Mr. Clarke served GM in many leadership roles related to engineering, production and manufacturing during his 35-year career with company. In January of 2010, Mr. Clarke joined Navistar as a Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and was recently named President of their Asia-Pacific Operations. Mr. Clarke began his career in 1973 as a cooperative education student for General Motors Pontiac Division. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from General Motors Institute and a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Michigan.
Bruce D. Coventry
Class of 1975
Bachelor of Industrial Engineering
Bruce D. Coventry was named Vice President of Operations for Electrovaya – Cell & Systems Manufacturing, a Canadian company, in September 2010. Most recently Coventry was president of Dresser Waukesha – Power & Compression Group. Mr. Coventry previously served as vice president of Chrysler Corp., president of NAFTA World Engine and Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA); a joint team responsible for the design, development and manufacturing processes of a new family of aluminum four-cylinder gasoline engines. Mr. Coventry served as the chair of Kettering University’s Board of Trustees from 2007 to 2009.
Gary L. Cowger
Class of 1970
Bachelor of Industrial Engineering
Gary L. Cowger most recently was group VP of global manufacturing and labor relations for General Motors. He retired from GM on Dec. 1, 2009. Mr. Cowger began his 45-year career with GM in 1965 and held a range of senior leadership positions in business and operations in several countries. In 2006, he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering and is chairman of the Board of Trustees of Kettering University. He also is a board member of the UNCF and the Governing Board of Leaders for Manufacturing at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.). He earned a Master's degree as a Sloan Fellow from M.I.T.
Jacqueline A. Dedo
Class of 1984
Bachelor of Electrical Engineering
Jacqueline A. Dedo is vice president of strategy & business development at Dana Holding Corporation in Toledo, Ohio. She has served in several high-level positions in the automotive industry and has the distinction of being one of only a handful of women to achieve the top position of president at any automotive company. She has served as president of Timken Company’s Automotive Group located in Canton, Ohio and in several important positions for a number of major companies, including roles as vice president and general manager of Worldwide Market Operations for the Automotive Communications and Electronics Systems Group at Motorola, and in senior level positions at Robert Bosh Corp. She serves as the Secretary for Kettering University’s Board of Trustees.
Ivan A. Deveson
Class of 1959
Bachelor of Industrial Engineering
Honorary Doctor of Management, 2002
Ivan A. Deveson is the former Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Australia, the former national president of the Australian Institute of Management and an international automobile executive. In a career of 40 years, he worked with General Motors in Australia, the United States, Europe and Africa. In 1987, he joined Nissan Australia as managing director/CEO until retiring from the automotive industry in 1991.
Henry Juszkiewicz
Class of 1976
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering
Henry Juszkiewicz, chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar Co. of Nashville, Tenn., helped save a piece of American rock 'n roll. Juszkiewicz and his partner, David Berryman, acquired Gibson Guitar as it was on the brink of closing and turned the company around by focusing on innovative marketing techniques.
Robert C. Kagle
Class of 1978
Bachelor of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
Robert C. Kagle, who was co-founder and partner at Benchmark Capital, is now semi-retired from the company. While at Benchmark, Mr. Kagle was ranked number one on “Forbes” magazine’s Midas List. He is also considered by many to be the embodiment of the phrase “hometown boy does good.” Mr. Kagle is currently serving on several Boards and pursuing other business ventures. He began his career as a cooperative education student for General Motors in his hometown of Flint, Michigan, which led to a fellowship to attend Stanford University for an MBA degree. Opportunities for venture capitalists in the Silicon Valley moved him permanently to the West Coast, where he is credited with helping to launch Ebay and assisting consumer-based information technology and entrepreneurial companies enter emerging markets. "Forbes" magazine placed him at #1 for elite venture capitalists who nurture and steer the technology economy.
Harry W. Lange
Class of 1975
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering
Harry W. Lange has been the manager of Fidelity Investments’ Magellan Fund since 2005. Lange has had two distinct careers. From 1970 to 1983, he worked at GM Chevrolet Motor Division as an engineer and manager and invested in various stock markets as a hobby. In 1983 following his graduation from Harvard Business School, he began his career in the investment industry, first with Idanta Partners and later for Wellington Management.
Grace D. Lieblein
Class of 1983
Bachelor of Industrial Engineering
Grace D. Lieblein was recently named president and managing director of GM do Brasil. Since December 2008, Ms. Lieblein served as president and managing director of GM de Mexico. Ms. Lieblein is the highest-ranking Latina at General Motors and the company’s first Latina vehicle chief engineer. Ms. Lieblein began her GM career as a cooperative engineering student at the General Assembly Division in Los Angeles, CA. She earned a bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering from Kettering/GMI and has a master's degree in Management Materials/Logistics from Michigan State University. She is the champion of the GM "Women in Engineering" initiative and a GM Hispanic Initiative Team board member. Ms. Lieblein has received numerous recognitions and awards for her leadership efforts including: Hispanic Business Magazine Top 50 Businesswomen, Hispanic Engineer & Informational Technology Magazine one of the most powerful Hispanics in business and technology, Professional Achievement Award from the Hispanic Engineering National Achievement Awards Conference (HENNAC), Automotive News Top 100 Women in the Auto Industry, and 2006 Urban Wheels Awards Latino Executive of the Year.
James A. McCaslin Jr.
Class of 1974
Bachelor of Industrial Engineering
James A. McCaslin Jr. was executive vice president for Corporate Product Planning at Harley-Davidson Company. Prior to that role, McCaslin was president and chief operating officer of Harley-Davidson Motor Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for nearly 20 years. He is credited with helping to revive the brand and making quality and customer service a key part of the Harley-Davidson culture. He joined Harley-Davidson in 1992 and was appointed vice president of Continuous Improvement in 1997 and president of Dealer Services in 1999. Mr. Mc Caslin served as a member of the Kettering University’s Board of Trustees from 2004 to 2010. He retired from Harley-Davidson Co. in September 2010.
Dane A. Miller
Class of 1969
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering
Dane A. Miller is co-founder, president and CEO of Biomet Inc., an orthopedic company in Warsaw, Ind., which designs, manufactures and markets replacement products. In 2002, the company boasted sales of more than $1 billion last year and pioneered the use of titanium alloy for replacement knees and hips.
William H. Osborne
Class of 1983
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering
William H. (Bill) Osborne was recently named Vice President of Custom Products for Navistar. Mr. Osborne became a Director on the Board of Navistar in September 2009 and gave up his Board seat to accept his current position in May 2011. In his new position, Osborne is accountable for Navistar’s Monaco RV and Workhouse business units. Mr. Osborne spent 30 years at Chrysler, General Motors and Ford Motor Co., most of it in product development and manufacturing. He also served as president and CEO of Ford Canada, president and CEO of Ford of Australia, and president of Federal Signal before joining Navistar. Mr. Osborne holds a mechanical engineering degree from Kettering University, a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Chicago and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Wayne State University.
Robert S. Oswald
Class of 1964
Bachelor of Electrical Engineering
Robert S. Oswald is noted for his leadership within the automotive industry since graduating from Kettering/GMI in 1964. He is the chairman and CEO of Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, a manufacturer of air brakes and safety systems. He previously served as chairman, president and CEO of the Robert Bosch Corp. (North American Subsidiary), retiring from the German-based manufacturer in 2000.
Armen G. Oumedian
Class of 1949
Bachelor of Industrial Engineering
The word that describes this alumnus is dynamic. Armen Oumedian gives unstintingly of his time and talents in participating in multiple activities to support Kettering University, providing leadership and inspiring his fellow alumni to contribute time and financial support. In addition to providing multiple scholarships and a future estate gift, he created a plan to involve alumni in recruiting students and companies to employ Kettering co-op students.
Vickie Piner
Class of 1989
Bachelor of Industrial Engineering
Vickie Vernell Piner, vice president for Supplier Diversity and Development in the Lear Corporation’s Global Purchasing Division, was the first woman named to the position of vice president at the company. She also has served Lear as vice president of Global Six Sigma Deployment, Quality for the Interiors, Electrical and Ford Customer Division, and Seating Operations in France.
Robert E. Reiss
Class of 1960
Bachelor of Industrial Engineering
The late Robert E. Reiss is considered the country's first bio-engineer and is a pioneer in the medical device industry. During his career, he helped found, build and manage a number of companies, as well as introduce some of the century's most important new healthcare advances. He was president and CEO of IMED Corp., ACS and IVT.
Derica W. Rice
Class of 1988
Bachelor of Electrical Engineering
Derica W. Rice is executive vice president, global services and chief financial officer of Eli Lilly & Co in Indianapolis. He also is a member of the company’s executive committee. Prior to becoming Lilly’s CFO in 2006, Mr. Rice had been the VP and controller of Eli Lilly since July 2003. Mr. Rice also held executive positions at Lilly’s United Kingdom affiliate, European operations and Eli Lilly of Canada. Rice joined Eli Lilly in 1990 as an international treasury associate. In 2009, Mr. Rice was selected as one of the “Most Powerful Executives in Corporate America” by Black Enterprise magazine and he was selected as one of Diversity MBA magazine's “Top 100 Under 50 Executives.” He began his career at General Motors Corp.
J. Don Rice
Class of 1981
Bachelor of Industrial Engineering
J. Don Rice, president and chief executive officer of Rice Financial Products Company, is a 25-year veteran of the securities industry. He became interested in securities while studying finance at Harvard University. He got his start in the financial services area as one of the founding members of Merrill Lynch’s Municipal Derivatives Products Group. Rice serves as a member of the Kettering University’s Board of Trustees.
Joseph D. Spielman
Class of 1968
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering
Joseph D. Spielman has integrated his education and his career since enrolling at Kettering/GMI in 1963. He has maintained his connection to the university in many ways. Spielman was vice president and general manager of vehicle manufacturing for General Motors Corporation-North American Operations, Spielman has also served GM as general manager for the Metal Fabricating, the Midsize Car division, and the Rear Drive Automotive Division in addition to various other supervisory positions.
Kyle Schwulst
Class of 2002
Bachelor of Electrical Engineering
Kyle Schwulst, founder and CEO of ElectroJet Incorporated in Brighton, Mich., was honored with the Young Alumni award recognizing a graduate (of the previous 10 years) who has rendered significant contributions, exhibited outstanding character, or has achieved marked success in such areas as Alumni Service, Human Relations, Civic, Engineering, Entrepreneurial, Management or Outstanding Achievement. Schwulst holds five U.S. patents, three of which are for the ElectroJet technologies.
Karenann Terrell
Class of 1985
Bachelor of Electrical Engineering
Karenann Terrell, corporate vice president and chief information officer for Baxter International Inc., Deerfield, Ill., has global responsibility for information technology supporting all Baxter's businesses worldwide, including manufacturing, science and technology, and supply chain operations. She was most recently vice president and CIO-Chrysler Group and Mercedes-Benz North America at DaimlerChrysler Corp., responsible for IT management.
Robert H. Yancey
Class of 1979
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering
Robert Yancey became president of Goodrich Corporation Engine Control and Electrical Power Systems in January of 2009. Yancey began his career at Goodrich's Aircraft Wheels and Brakes team in 1980, and has held positions of increasing responsibility and leadership in several Goodrich businesses. He also holds an MBA in International Business from Wright State University in Ohio. More.
