Board of Directors
Richard Schaum
Chairman of the Board since 2022, Director since 2011
Mr. Schaum has been General Manager of 3rd Horizon Associates LLC, a technology assessment and development company, since May 2003. From October 2003 until June 2005, he was Vice President and General Manager of Vehicle Systems for WaveCrest Laboratories, Inc., a startup company involved in the commercialization of proprietary electric propulsion systems. Prior to that, for more than thirty years, he was with DaimlerChrysler Corporation, and its predecessor, Chrysler Corporation, serving in various positions including Executive Vice President, Product Development, and General Manager of Powertrain Operations, a $7 billion business with 11 plants and 23,000 employees. Mr. Schaum is a fellow of the Society of Automotive Engineers and served as its Chairman and President from 2007 to 2008. He has also previously served on the Board of Directors of BorgWarner, Inc. and Sterling Construction Co. Mr. Schaum has been affirmatively identified as an independent director by the Board. He is Chair of the Company's Compensation Committee and serves on the Company's Audit Committee.Chairman of the BoardJoseph B Anderson Jr.
Director since 2022
Joseph Anderson is the majority owner, Chairman and CEO of TAG Holdings, LLC which owns several manufacturing, service, and technology-based companies currently based in North America. He graduated from West Point with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Math and Engineering, and holds two master’s degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles. He has been awarded Honorary Doctoral degrees from Kettering University and Central Michigan University, and the Distinguished Graduate Award from West Point. Mr. Anderson attended the Army’s Command and General Staff College and is a graduate of the Harvard Advanced Management Program. During his career in the military, Mr. Anderson commanded troops as an infantry officer in the 82nd Airborne Division and served two tours of duty with the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam. Mr. Anderson’s military awards include two silver stars, five bronze stars, three Army Commendation Medals, and eleven Air Medals. He was selected to be a White House Fellow and worked as Special Assistant to Secretary of Commerce, Juanita Kreps, until beginning his career with General Motors. While at GM, Mr. Anderson progressed through several manufacturing and leadership roles before being appointed General Director of the Body Hardware Business Unit, a business unit with 7,000 employees and revenue of $1 billion. After 13 years of service, Mr. Anderson resigned from GM to become President and Chief Executive Officer of a privately held company, where he worked to acquire, grow, and sell businesses globally within the automotive, heavy equipment, aerospace and defense markets. He is a past chairman of the U.S. Department of Commerce Manufacturing Council, and has served on multiple local and national boards, in addition to having been the immediate past Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago-Detroit Branch. His community involvement includes Chairman of the Board of the National Recreation Foundation, the Horizons Upward Bound Advisory Board and the University of Michigan-Dearborn Executive Leaders Advocacy Group.Leslie Brown
Director since 2016
Ms. Brown, since 2003, is the owner and chairperson of Metal Flow Corporation, a Holland, Michigan, based high volume producer of technically sophisticated custom metal (of various varieties) components through deep draw processes. Including operations in China, Metal Flow Corporation globally ships over one million parts daily for a variety of automotive applications, including airbags, decorative trim, emissions, fuel handling, sensors, and solenoids. As such, Ms. Brown has a significant understanding of, and experience with, challenges faced by manufacturing companies that supply the global automotive industry. In addition to her years of experience as an entrepreneurial automotive supplier, as a prominent local businesswoman serving on a variety of community organization boards of directors (including as chairperson of the Holland Hospital Board), Ms. Brown has demonstrated a high degree of professionalism and personal integrity. Ms. Brown offers insight and perspective especially in terms of developing and maintaining an entrepreneurial team. Ms. Brown has been affirmatively identified as an independent director by the Board. She serves on the Company's Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.Steve Downing
Director since 2020
Mr. Downing was elected Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective as of January 1, 2018. He has been employed by the Company since 2002. Prior to being elected Chief Executive Officer, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer from August 2017 to December 2017, as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from June 2015 to August 2017, and as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer from May 2013 to June 2015. He served in a variety of roles before that time. During his tenure with the Company, Mr. Downing has collected a vast wealth of knowledge and experience with respect to the Company and the industries in which it operates. Mr. Downing's thorough understanding of the Company's industries, familiarity with the Company's entrepreneurial culture, ability to build and lead a cohesive management team, and demonstrated work with the Board make him an appropriate Board member.Gary Goode
Director since 2003
Mr. Goode is the Chairman of Titan Distribution LLC, an Elkhart, Indiana company, that offers consulting and distribution services related to structural adhesives, and has held that position since 2004. He was previously employed at Arthur Andersen LLP for 29 years, including 11 years as the managing partner of its West Michigan practice, until his retirement in 2001. As an audit committee financial expert, Mr. Goode provides the Board with financial reporting and accounting expertise. His many years of public accounting experience provided Mr. Goode the opportunity to work with a great variety of small and large companies, including public companies, in a broad array of industries (including automotive and technology companies). Such experience allows Mr. Goode to provide excellent perspective to the Board. Mr. Goode has been affirmatively identified as an independent director by the Board and as an audit committee financial expert. He is Chair of the Company's Audit Committee and serves on the Company's Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees.James A. Hollars
Director since 2014
Mr. Hollars currently serves as a license partner of Engel & Volkers, a global company and lifestyle brand providing high quality services to those seeking to buy and sell real estate and has so served for more than five years. Prior to that, he served as the Senior Vice President - Sales of the Company from 1999 to 2009. Mr. Hollars maintains an exceptional understanding of the sales process for suppliers to automotive OEMs, especially in Europe which continues to be an important geographic market for the Company. Mr. Hollars offers the Board unique insight into the decision making process of automotive customers in regards to sourcing. His familiarity with the Company's core business principles and what it takes to work in an entrepreneurial environment allow him to understand the Company more fully. Mr. Hollars has been affirmatively identified as an independent director by the Board.Kathy Starkoff
Director since 2018
Ms. Starkoff is the President and CEO of Orange Star Consulting, a Columbus, Ohio based information technology consulting firm. She has served in that role since 2013. Prior to that, Ms. Starkoff was Chief Information Officer at the Ohio State University from 2008-2013. Before that, she served as Chief Technology Officer and Group Vice President of Limited Brands (now L Brands), a global retailer that includes Bath & Body Works. She also served as Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President of BankOne Corporation (now JPMorgan Chase). As such, Ms. Starkoff provides the Board with significant information technology and enterprise risk management expertise, including in the public company context. In addition, she has significant private and nonprofit board experience and has been recognized by the National Association of Corporate Directors (“NACD”) as both a “Leadership Fellow,” and a featured cybersecurity expert. Ms. Starkoff has been affirmatively identified as an independent director by the Board. Ms. Starkoff serves on the Company's Audit Committee.Brian Walker
Director since 2018
Mr. Walker is currently Partner- Strategic Operations with Huron Capital a mid market Private Equity Firm. Prior to joining Huron Capital, Mr Walker served as President and CEO of Herman Miller, Inc., a company involved in the research, design, manufacture, selling, and distribution of office furniture systems, seating products, and other free-standing furniture elements. Mr. Walker worked at Herman Miller, Inc. for 29 years in a variety of capacities, including Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Executive Vice President. Mr. Walker serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Universal Forest Products, where he serves as Chair of the Audit Committee. Mr Walker has served as a board member for a number of public and private companies. The Company is pleased to have access to Mr. Walker's executive experience and financial expertise in public company settings, along with his international business experience, his experience on corporate boards and his keen understanding of challenges public companies face in West Michigan. Mr. Walker is a Certified Public Accountant, and he serves on the Company’s Audit Committee. He has been affirmatively identified as an independent director by the Board.Dr. Ling Zang
Director since 2021
Dr. Ling Zang is a professor at the University of Utah affiliated with the Department of Materials science and Engineering. He is also the Director of the Utah Center for Interfacial Sciences, Nano Institute of Utah. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, and was previously an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow, NSF CAREER Award winner, and K. C. Wong Foundation Research Fellow. Dr. Zang earned his B.S. in physical chemistry from Tsinghua University and Ph.D. in chemistry from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Dr. Zang’s research focuses on nanoscale imaging and molecular probing, organic semiconductors and nanostructures, optoelectronic sensors and nanodevices, and photocatalysis and photovoltaics for conversion of solar energy, with the goal to achieve practical applications in the areas of public safety, renewable energy and environmental protection. Dr. Zang has been awarded with various federal grants (from NSF, DHS, DOE/ARPA-E, NASA, etc.) to support his broad range of research in nanoscience and nanotechnology. More than 25 patent applications have been filed from Dr. Zang’s lab. Dr. Zang also founded Metallosensors, Inc. and Vaporsens. Dr. Zang’s background, education, and research complement the Company’s vision and focus on continuing to be a technology leader. Dr. Zang’s experience in academia as well as his vast understanding of bringing technology from a laboratory environment into commercialization will serve the Board well. Dr. Zang has been affirmatively identified as an independent director by the Board.