Seeing and Developing Opportunities for Innovation in Every Aspect of Your Business

Overview

$30  Member Registration Fee
$45  Non-Member Registration Fee

Agenda

8:30a  Registration & Breakfast
9:00a  Panel Discussion

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Panelists

Christopher Thomas Experienced CTO, Global Leader, Board Member

Christopher is a global leader in strategy and innovation for Fortune 500 companies that methodically recognizes and accelerates commercialization of innovations.  He is a former Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at BorgWarner.  He has a broad background in propulsion systems.  He has led organizations and programs; including global advanced engineering, a major multi-billion dollar program, to leading Portfolio 2025 of a $9B company.  He excels at working across cultures, between companies, and advising top management and boards of directors.  He also helps simplify the message to communicate complex technical products to investors, media, and board members.

Christopher holds over 30 patents in engine, transmission, and hybrid/electric motor design as well as control algorithms in both the United States and Europe. He received the Walter P. Chrysler Award for patent of the year in 1995 and SAE's Forest R. McFarland Award in 2002. He has co-authored several publications, chaired technical sessions, is a prominent keynote speaker, spoken on panels, and was elected an SAE Fellow by SAE International in 2011.

Brian Eisbrenner Chief Executive Officer The CEO Business Coach

Brian Eisbrenner is battle-tested CEO. Over the last 15 years, in the CEO role, Brian has led various companies in multiple industries ranging from $4.2 Million to $250 Million in sales, helping them achieve operational excellence and growth despite industry and economic challenges. He has hands-on experience in every phase of a business's life: Startup, Growth, Succession, Purchase, Leadership Transition, and The Sale of Businesses.

Today he works with inspiring, successful, hardworking people who embrace change, dream big and never settle. He helps to connect CEO's and business owners with the resources they need to overcome their most significant challenges, increasing their businesses' value, resulting in businesses worth owning and legacies worth leaving.

He served on the advisory boards of many privately held businesses in his time as a member of Vistage from 2008-2018.  He is also a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICFMI), the Detroit Economic Club (DEC), the Private Directors Association (PDA), The Detroit Executives Association, and the Association of Corporate Growth (ACG).

He has a proven track record in change management, strategic planning, organizational development, and operational excellence. In addition, he brings proven executive leadership, thought diversity, critical thinking, and diplomacy.

Moderator

Kimberly Rodriguez Executive and Entrepreneur

Kimberly is a renowned expert in transforming global organizations to maximize efficiencies in supply chain, manufacturing and operational performance. During her 30-year career, she has assisted automakers and suppliers in driving value creation by leveraging the interface between finance, operational (plant floor) efficiency, and the effective use of technology. Kimberly currently serves as a principal of her own firm SCRM, providing independent consulting services, largely to equity funds and multiple holding family funds relating to sales growth, efficiency and market strategy. 

Most recently Kimberly was the Chief Executive Officer for Dura Automotive Systems. Prior to joining Dura, Kimberly was Chief Executive Officer of Rush Trucking, a $100 million long-haul trucking company. During the 2020 COVID Automotive shutdown, she helped to dramatically improve efficiency, reduce equipment cost in half and quadruple the customer base for Rush.

Kimberly sits on the Board of Directors for AMG Industries, LLC., and Romeo Rim, as well as on the Executive Committee and General Board for The Children’s Center, a Detroit-based non-profit. She is a founding member and the first female chair of the Private Director’s Association, which provides training and insight for existing and potential board members of privately held companies. In 2019 she was named “Director to Watch” by Directors & Boards Magazine. 

Kimberly earned a Bachelor of Art in economics and accounting from Michigan State University and a Master’s in business administration from Walsh College

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