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.

    Chairman of the Board
    • Joseph 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.

        • Garth Deur

          Director since 2023
          Mr. Deur currently serves as managing director of Iroquois Ventures LLC, a firm providing capital formation and advisory services to private and startup companies. He has served in this role since 2016. Previously, Mr. Deur worked at Lake Michigan Financial Corporation (LMFC) from 2007 to 2016 in various roles including Chief Operating Officer, President and Chief Executive Officer. He served as Senior Vice President - Business Development for Chemical Financial Corporation after its acquisition of LMFC in 2015. Prior to joining LMFC, Mr. Deur served in significant financial and business development roles with the Company and Johnson Controls when it acquired the former Prince Corporation. Mr. Deur spent six years as Executive Vice President of the Company and 10 years in various executive roles at Prince Corporation / Johnson Controls. He began his career in 1982 as a CPA with Arthur Andersen LLP, specializing in the automotive industry. As such, Mr. Deur has significant experience in the Company's primary industry. He has prior experience serving on numerous boards of directors. Mr. Deur has been affirmatively identified as an independent director if elected to the Board.

          • 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.

              • 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. 

                • 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.

                    • Board Demographics*

                        Female Male Non-Binary Did not Disclose Gender
                      Part 1: Gender Identity*        
                      Directors 2 7 0 0
                               
                      Part 2: Demographic Background*        
                      African American or Black 0 1 0 0
                      Alaskan Native or Native American 0 0 0 0
                      Asian 0 1 0 0
                      Hispanic or Latinx 0 0 0 0
                      Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 0 0 0 0
                      White or Caucasian 2 5 0 0
                      Two or More Races or Ethnicities 0 0 0 0
                      LGBTQ+ 0 0 0 0
                      Did not Disclose Demographic Background 0 0 0 0

                       

                       

                       

                       

                      Director Since

                      Audit
                      Committee*

                      Compensation
                      Committee*

                      Nominating and
                      Corporate Governance
                      Committee*

                      Age
                      (as of Feb 16, 2023)

                      Mr.

                      Richard Schaum
                      (Chair of the Board)

                      2011

                       

                      Chair

                       

                      76

                      Mr. 

                      Joseph B. Anderson, Jr. 

                      2022

                       

                       

                      Member

                      80

                      Ms.

                      Leslie Brown 

                      2016

                       

                       

                      Chair

                      69

                      Mr.

                      Garth Deur

                      2023

                      Member

                      Member

                       

                      66

                      Mr.

                      Steve Downing

                      2020

                       

                       

                       

                      45

                      Mr. 

                      Gary Goode 

                      2003

                      Chair

                      Member

                       

                      77

                      Ms. 

                      Kathy Starkoff

                      2018

                      Member

                       

                       

                      65

                      Mr. 

                      Brian Walker 

                      2018

                      Member

                      Member

                       

                      61

                      Mr. 

                      Dr. Ling Zang 

                      2021

                       

                       

                      Member

                      54

                      *Identity, Demographics, and Committee memberships as of Aug 21, 2023.