Distinguished Alumni

Patrick AtkinsonPatrick 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. More.

Lawrence D. BurnsLawrence D. Burns
Class of 1975
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Lawrence D. Burns is vice president of Research & Development and Strategic Planning at General Motors Corp. (GM), where he leads the GM Research and Development Center. He joined GM in 1969 as a cooperative education student and has served in many leadership capacities related to engineering and planning during his illustrious career. More.

Troy A. Clarke Troy A. Clarke
Class of 1978
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering 
Troy A. Clarke is the president, General Motors North America, and group vice president for the General Motors Corp. He is charged with increasing GM’s market share and global sales worldwide. More.

Bruce D CoventryBruce D. Coventry
Class of 1975
Bachelor of Industrial Engineering 
Bruce D. Coventry, president of the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA) and vice president of Chrysler, became chair of Kettering University’s Board of Trustees in September 2007. Coventry also serves as the vice president of NAFTA World Engine, a joint team responsible for the design, development and manufacturing processes of a new family of aluminum four-cylinder gasoline engines. More.

Gary L. CowgerGary L. Cowger
Class of 1970
Bachelor of Industrial Engineering 
Gary L. Cowger, who is president of GM of North America with responsibility of the company's production plants, has held an array of engineering and manufacturing assignments of increasing responsibility at the company, including president and managing director of General Motors de Mexico and managing director of Adam Opel-GM Europe. More.

Jacqueline A. DedoJacqueline A. Dedo
Class of 1984
Bachelor of Electrical Engineering
Jacqueline A. Dedo is president of the Automotive Group for Timken Company, located in Canton, Ohio, where she oversees the company's $1.4 billion business. She has served 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 MotorolaInc., and in senior level positions at Robert Bosch Corp. More.

Ivan A. DevesonIvan 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. More.

Henry JuszkiewiczHenry 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. More.

Robert C. Kagle
Robert C. Kagle
Class of 1978
Bachelor of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
Robert C. Kagle, co-founder and partner at Benchmark Capital, is ranked number one on "Forbes" magazine's Midas List. He is considered by many to be the embodiment of the phrase "hometown boy does good." He began his career as a co-op student for General Motors in his hometown of Flint, Mich., which led to a fellowship to attend Stanford University for an MBA. More.

Harry W. LangeHarry 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. More.

Grace D. LiebleinGrace D. Lieblein
Class of 1983
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering
Grace D. Lieblein, president and managing director of GM de Mexico, is the highest-ranking Latina at GM and the company's first Latina vehicle chief engineer. She began her GM career as a Kettering co-op student at General Motors Assembly Division in Los Angeles. More.

James A. McCaslin Jr.James A. McCaslin Jr.
Class of 1974
Bachelor of Industrial Engineering
James A. McCaslin Jr. is the president and chief operating officer of Harley-Davidson Motor Co. of Milwaukee. He joined Harley-Davidson in 1992, was appointed vice president of Continuous Improvement in 1997 and vice president of Dealer Services in 1999. More.


Dane A. MillerDane 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. More.

William H. OsborneWilliam H. Osborne
Class of 1983
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering
William H. (Bill) Osborne is president and CEO of Federal Signal Corporation in Oak Brook, IL. He believes that to remain a leader, you have to think like a challenger and reach higher. That was his philosophy as president and CEO of the Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, where he led Ford of Canada's operations and affiliates, which include the national headquarters, three regional offices, two branch offices, five vehicle assembly and engine manufacturing plants, two parts distribution centers, Ford Credit, Jaguar, Volvo and Land Rover. Born in Detroit, Osborne earned the first of his three degrees at Kettering University.

Robert S. OswaldRobert 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. More.

Armen G. OumedianArmen 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. More.

Vickie PinerVickie 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. More.

Robert E. ReissRobert 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. More.

Derica W. RiceDerica W. Rice
Class of 1988
Bachelor of Electrical Engineering
Derica W. Rice is the senior vice president and chief financial officer for Eli Lilly & Co. in Indianapolis, a company using medicine and information to bring relief to some of the world's most urgent medical needs. Before assuming the position of vice president and controller for Eli Lilly in 2003, he was the general manager of Lilly's United Kingdom affiliate, executive director of finance for European operations, and director of finance for Lilly Canada, among others. More.

J. Don RiceJ. 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. More.

Joseph D. SpielmanJoseph 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. Currently 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. More.

Kyle SchwulstKyle 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. More

Karenann TerrellKarenann 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. More.

Robert H. YanceyRobert H. Yancey
Class of 1979
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering
Robert Yancey became president of Goodrich Corpation 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.