On June 1, more than 300 community, civic and business leaders from Southeast Michigan attended the Great Lakes Field Service Council, Boy Scouts of America’s 16th Annual Distinguished Citizen Award Fundraising Dinner honoring Bill Kozyra, chairman, president and CEO of TI Automotive Ltd. The event was held to recognize Kozyra for his continued commitment and support in preparing more than 24,000 Scouts for life.

Established by the Boy Scouts of America, the Distinguished Citizen Award recognizes noteworthy and extraordinary leadership of citizens in communities across the United States. Recipients are chosen for their outstanding community service, as evidenced by their interest and leadership to many worthwhile organizations as well as the respect and esteem in which they are held by their colleagues.

Kozyra has served as chairman and CEO at TI Automotive since June 2008. Prior to joining TI Automotive, Kozyra was president and CEO of Continental AG North America for nearly 10 years. In addition, Kozyra, a Boy Scout alumnus, has been an active member of Boy Scouts’ Southeast Council’s executive board since 2000. Most recently, Kozyra served as chairman of the 2013 Rendezvous, the largest weekend encampment of Scouts in the nation.

“Scouting teaches morals, ethics and trust, and helps young people become contributing members of our society,” said Kozyra. “Scouting also provides boys the unique opportunity to learn the skill and values that make for great leaders. As a proud and lifelong resident of Detroit, it has been my honor to be able to make a contribution to the outstanding work of the Great Lakes Field Service Council.”