MIDLAND, Mich. – The Northwood University International Auto Show (NUIAS) will feature many VIP panelists and speakers throughout all aspects of the automotive industry. The Auto Show will be held the weekend of Sept. 30, Oct. 1 and 2 on the Michigan Campus of Northwood University in Midland.
The VIP Panel begins on Friday, Sept. 30, at 9:15 a.m. in Griswold Lecture Hall with the panel speaking on current market topics and how these influence their aspect of the automotive business. The public is welcome to attend this panel discussion.
This year’s VIP Panelists include executives from a wide variety of automotive sectors:
Keith Crain is chairman of Crain Communications Inc., a privately held company that publishes more than 30 business, trade and consumer publications and employs approximately 1,000 people in 19 offices internationally. His responsibilities include serving as publisher of several publications including Automotive News and Automotive News Europe. Additionally, he is editorial director of AutoWeek, the only weekly automotive enthusiast magazine in the United States. In 2002, Crain launched Automobilwoche (German for "Automobile Week"). Named “Business Publication of the Year” in 2005 by the German trade press association, the German-language newspaper covers the entire new-vehicle industry, from suppliers to automakers to franchised dealers.
Among his list of accomplishments is the development of the Automotive News World Congress as an international forum for industry leaders and the assistance in the development of the annual North American International Auto Show in Detroit. In 1997, Automotive News Europe launched the European World Congress. Crain attended Northwestern University and holds honorary doctorate degrees from four universities.
Ralph V. Gilles was appointed president and CEO of Street and Racing Technology (SRT) Brand, Chrysler Group LLC, in June 2011. He continues to have responsibility for the company’s motorsports efforts and leads product design as senior vice president, a position he was named to in June 2009. Previously, he served as president and CEO of Dodge brand. Gilles was named vice president of design in 2008. Since first joining the former Chrysler Corp. in 1992 as a designer, Gilles has put his extensive academic background in industrial design and business administration to use, holding various positions within the company.
Gilles is extremely active inside and outside the company. He serves as the executive sponsor of the Chrysler African American Network (CAAN) in addition to playing a leading role with the Chrysler Global Diversity Council. He also serves on the boards of the Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills, Mich., and the Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital Regional Medical Center in Pontiac, Mich. At his alma mater, the College for Creative Studies (CCS) in Detroit, Gilles serves on the CCS Board of Trustees and the CCS Capital Committee.
Gilles has earned numerous academic and industry awards, including the Michigan State University Eli Broad Graduate School of Management Young Alumni Achievement Award, the Automotive Hall of Fame Young Leadership and Excellence Award, NV Magazine Innovation Award, Black Engineer of the Year President’s Award and N’Digo Foundation N’Design Award. He holds a M.B.A. degree from Michigan State University (2002) and a B.F.A. degree in industrial design from CCS (1992).
Bill Miller brings more than 15 years of industry experience as an innovative, hands-on leader in facility operations, marketing and special event promotions to Specialty Equipment Manufacturer Association (SEMA). He is responsible for strategic planning and overseeing day-to-day business initiatives for five departments within the association — events and communications, membership and marketing, market research, information technology and original equipment manufacturer relations.
An accomplished sports/entertainment executive, Miller is a motorsports veteran with a long history working for Penske Motorsports and International Speedway Corporation (ISC). He served as president of the California Speedway in Fontana, Calif., where he led the track to unprecedented growth — increasing facility usage and overseeing the largest single-day sporting event in California. During Miller’s tenure at the California Speedway, the track acquired a reputation as a successful multi-purpose venue, offering exceptional guest services and hospitality.
Miller was named one of southern California’s 25 Most Influential Executives in Sports by the Los Angeles Business Journal in 2004. He holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Ohio University.
Joe Serra is a recipient of the GM Dealer of the Year Award and one of only six dealers in the nation to garner the award every year since its inception. He has received the Chevrolet National Top 10 Award 18 times from Chevrolet Motor Division. In the November 2009 issue of Automotive News, Serra was named to the publication’s list of 50 Visionary Dealers who helped build the auto industry. His innovative concept of adapting Saturn’s low-pressure, one-price and no-haggle sales approach to other brands resulted in a more enjoyable experience for the customer and changed dealership culture nationwide.
Serra is a graduate of Albion College, and he began his automotive career in 1982, joining Team Management in the Serra organization. Within two years, he was general manager of one of the fastest-growing Chevy stores in the nation, Al Serra Chevrolet. In 1986, he became its dealer/operator. When Team Management became Serra Automotive in 1992, Serra was named president and he led the company into a 15-year period of unprecedented growth.
The opening ceremony for the Auto Show will be held in front of the Sloan Family Building for Aftermarket Studies at 11:45 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 30, and will feature VIP Panelist Keith Crain, Northwood’s Automotive Marketing Department Chair Joseph Lescota, Auto Show General Chair Joshua Struck and Auto Show Adviser Julie Becker-Myers.
Many exhibits will line the Mall Walk and offer a variety of food, information and entertainment. The Auto Show is free of charge, offers free parking and is open to the public.
For more information and schedule of events, visit www.northwood.edu/autoshow/.
