Cooper Standard Names Jeffrey DeBest President, Advanced Technology Group

From 1997 to 2014, DeBest held a series of leadership roles of increasing responsibility at Johnson Controls Inc. Most recently, he served as group vice president of the auto supplier's worldwide interiors group. He started his career at Prince Corp., later purchased by Johnson Controls, as the service parts manager.

Cooper Standard has announced the appointment of Jeffrey DeBest to the newly created position of president, advanced technology group. Based at the company’s global technology center in Livonia, Michigan, he reports to Jeffrey Edwards, chairman and CEO. DeBest also has been appointed as a member of Cooper Standard’s Global Leadership Team.

In his new role, DeBest will lead the company’s Advanced Technology Group, responsible for accelerating and maximizing the value stream of Cooper Standard’s material science innovations in non-automotive markets.

“With his extensive operations, engineering, portfolio management and leadership background, Jeff brings the unique skillset required to foster the success of our new Advanced Technology Group,” said Edwards. “Our material science advancements have the potential to transform products across many industries, with near-term focus in the construction, wire and cable and footwear markets, and I’m pleased that Jeff is onboard to lead this endeavor.”

Prior to joining Cooper Standard, DeBest served as chief operating officer of APM Terminals B.V., one of five companies within the Maersk Group of Copenhagen, Denmark. In that position, he had full operational responsibility for the company’s more than 100 terminals and depots, as well as managed its transition from a holding company into an operating company. While at APM Terminals, DeBest held numerous board positions with APM regional companies. He also served as a senior vice president of A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S, where he was a member of its Global Leadership Council.

From 1997 to 2014, he held a series of leadership roles of increasing responsibility at Johnson Controls Inc. Most recently, he served as group vice president of the auto supplier’s worldwide interiors group. He started his career at Prince Corp., later purchased by Johnson Controls, as the service parts manager.

DeBest earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in marketing from Adrian College in Michigan, a Masters of Business Administration degree with a finance emphasis from Western Michigan University and an Executive Management Certificate from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. Since 2013, he has been a member of Adrian College’s board of trustees, currently servicing as vice chairman.