Leaders Developing Leaders
One of the many jewels in Northwood's crown is its excellent Board of Trustees and Boards of Governors. These dedicated people are a diverse group of individuals who come from large, small, and private enterprises - entrepreneurs in action at every level. Together they act as role models for our students and provide the leadership that sets the course for our University. We are pleased to present the first of a continuing series of articles profiling our Board of Trustees and Boards of Governors members.
Having just accepted the leadership of the Board of Trustees at the May 2009 meeting, Chairman J Ferron is on an ambitious mission of continuous and vigorous improvement for Northwood. "We are picking up the pace," he says. "We're scoping out opportunities and everything will be moving a little better, a little faster, and a little more thoroughly. It is our challenge to be better in delivery and results than other universities."
Expanding and maximizing Northwood's presence on the World Wide Web is a top priority for Ferron. "The Internet allows unlimited communications possibilities for us. It is imperative we stay on top, and even ahead of, social networking opportunities," he says. He and his wife, Lynn, communicate with Northwood alumni on LinkedIn (R), Twitter, and Facebook. In fact, the day J and Lynn were interviewed for this article, they had sent a message out to 1,400 Northwood alumni on the Northwood University site.
Northwood's strategic plan is the blueprint for our future and Ferron will be out in front as its champion. He is also a supporter of the One Northwood initiative. "One Northwood embodies the entirety of our University. Whatever door you come through, whether it be on our traditional campuses in Michigan, Florida, or Texas, one of our Adult Degree Program sites, or an international location, or even if you join us online, we are ultimately linked together as alumni, friends, faculty, and staff, united through The Northwood Idea."
Chairman Emeritus Dr. John (Jack) and his wife, Dr. Marjorie Hohman, have been on the Board since the early 80s; Chairman Dr. J Ferron and Lynn joined us in the 90s. Dr. Leo Jerome followed his late father-in-law, the renowned Karl Story, on the Board so it might be said his service really began in the 1970s.
Jack Hohman served as Vice President of the Manufacturers Sales Division of Monroe Auto Equipment Company. Since his retirement from Monroe he has directed a retail battery operation with his son, Robert. In 1970 he founded Monroe Cablevision. He was also a partner in Raisin Valley Title Company and he owned a retail travel company specializing in cruises. He is past chair of the Northwood University Board of Trustees Finance Committee. He is also a past member of the Society of Automotive Engineers. he received the Northwood University Automotive Aftermarket Education Award; and received an Outstanding Alumni Tower Award from Hillsdale College. In 1986 he was honored with a Doctorate of Laws, honoris causa, from Northwood University.
J Ferron has been directly involved with major automotive industry issues affecting manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, and consumers for over 25 years. A former partner in PricewaterhouseCoopers, his efforts span the entire distribution network from suppliers to vehicle assemblers to retailing. He is an author, lecturer, commentator, attorney, and an industry thought leader.
Earlier in his career, Ferron was senior partner at J.D. Power & Associates. Ferron also served as Vice President of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), where he was involved with federal and state government regulatory issues, international trade, tax, price controls, safety, environmental, and small business issues. He was responsible for the consulting businesses of the 20,000 member association. Ferron led legislative initiatives regarding excise tax repeal and formed supplier relations councils with major component manufacturers.
As a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science majoring in International Affairs, Ferron is a lawyer, graduating with a Juris Doctor degree from George Washington University and The National Law Center. He was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws from Northwood University. A pilot and combat veteran, he flew over 350 sorties in Vietnam on two different tours and has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with six oak leaf clusters. Brady Ferron, his son, graduated from Northwood University in 1995.
Leo Jerome, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Finance Committee, and member of the Executive and Compensation Committees, is Chairman and CEO of Jerome Enterprises, a Michigan-based management holding company comprised of 14 automobile franchises (Story Automotive Group), as well as insurance and land companies. Jerome is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, General Motors Institute, and Harvard Graduate Business School. He is a Director of Midwest Guarantee Bank and a Director of the Michigan Automobile Dealers Association.
His company has owned and operated twenty automotive franchises. Through the years they have owned and operated gas stations, tire stores, major leasing and rental companies, salvage yards, parts, and wholesale paint distributorships. Jerome has been a bank director and a member of Henry Ford Hospital Board of Trustees. He currently serves as a director of the Michigan Automobile Dealers Association. The Story organization owned the three largest Oldsmobile dealerships in the world and also pioneered the retail import vehicle industry beginning in the late 1960s with Toyota, Datsun, Isuzu, Suzuki, and later Hyundi and Kia brands.
Dr. Leo Jerome's father-in-law, Karl Story, at one time one of the largest Oldsmobile dealers in the country, helped shape Northwood's automotive marketing curriculum, and Jerome continued in Story's footsteps.
Like many of Northwood's supporters, Jerome feels the importance of delivering business education in a practical, true-to-life format is one of our University's distinctive strengths. His mission as a Board member is "to keep Northwood operating according to a business model; to make sure we practice as a university the very principles we teach in our classrooms." As Chairman of the Finance Committee, Jerome plays a key role in keeping Northwood efficient and self supporting, and also ensures we are advancing and moving forward at the same time.
The number of years of service doesn't begin to tell the true measure of dedication these outstanding leaders have given us. These committed people have been with us as we moved from Institute to University; they were with us when tough choices had to be made; they were with us as we grew our programs and as our footprint stretched across the country and around the world; and ultimately, they help us spread the power and the influence of our founding philosophy, The Northwood Idea.
When Dr. Jack Hohman first joined Northwood, one of his first initiatives was heading a fundraiser for the Automotive Aftermarket Program. It was a successful endeavor and he was asked to do it again two years later. In the meantime, he was a frequent campus visitor who was often invited to speak to classes as an industry expert. Before long, Hohman was asked to be a member of the Board of Governors which later merged into the Board of Trustees.
When Dr. J Ferron first came to Northwood, the Automotive Marketing curriculum was in the development stage and Drs. Turner and Stauffer recruited Ferron for thought leadership and his understanding of what was happening in the automobile industry. One of his first projects with Northwood was an automotive retailing textbook which NADA funded.
Ferron was originally drawn to Northwood by our academics. In the 30+ years he has been with us, he has seen Northwood grow into a school for entrepreneurs and become a free-enterprise philosophy leader.
Through the years, Dr. Marjorie Hohman and Mrs. Lynn Ferron have worked side-by-side with their husbands, Jack and J. These couples have each chaired the National Women's Board & Friends organization. Marjorie and Lynn are now emeritus Board members and actively work to advance Northwood. Marge has been and continues to be an ambassador extraordinaire, generously opening her home to Northwood's friends new and old. One of Lynn's signature accomplishments was delineating and defining the myriad groups of Northwood supporters and bringing them together under the umbrella group, Friends of Northwood University.
Since the beginning, it has been the Friends of Northwood who have sustained and helped us grow. As a young college we did not have a large body of alumni to whom we could turn. Our founders, Drs. R. Gary Stauffer and Arthur E. Turner, understood it would be necessary to engage industry and community leaders for Northwood to thrive.
"Gary and Arthur were a great team," said Jerome. "They were very different but their personal styles were complimentary." Hohman says he was in "awe of Arthur Turner. Turner had great gumption and fortitude, always Northwood's number one cheerleader. Gary and Arthur saw something missing in the educational marketplace. Other older schools weren't educating business people, but the need for graduates who knew how to get things done was only growing."
LIBERTY AND FREEDOM
The Northwood Idea, based on the principles of free enterprise, freedom and personal responsibility, has also played a vital role in engaging the leadership of our University. The Hohmans, the Ferrons, and Leo Jerome are no exception.
All Board members have a keen understanding of the importance of capitalism and free enterprise -- historically and in contemporary society. Ferron notes, "There are three things needed for capitalism to flourish: 1) a government supportive of capitalism which provides incentives for people to act; 2) markets that work -- lots of people making choices; and 3) an environment spurred by incentives where we are allowed to operate with the freedom to create value."
As Jerome states, "The 'right to try' has launched more businesses and industries and been responsible for more success and created more wealth than any government program. Our philosophy is meeting challenges right now and it is imperative we reach out more vigorously than ever before."
Beyond professional success, Northwood graduates have a further mission. Lynn Ferron is articulate on just who Northwood students are. "Individuals who can make a difference, who can create value, jobs, wealth, and change are the most important minority in the world," she says. J adds,"The real thing is that Northwood students stand for concepts fundamental to human liberty. Dignity is the starting point for The Northwood Idea."
National Signature Programs
A strategic component in expanding Northwood's influence has been our awards programs, Distinguished Women (DW) and Outstanding Business Leaders (OBL). The Ferrons were at the very first DW event. "These events pay off for students as they listen to life experiences of our awardees. The students, whether as attendees at the panels, or by interactions throughout the gala awards weekend, have the opportunity to understand the context of success. Awardees generously share their right turns as well as their mistakes," notes Ferron.
The Hohmans have made many friends over the years through the DW and OBL programs. "It is this personable and engaging aspect of Northwood that has developed a richness and longevity in our relationships with powerful and inspiring individuals," says Hohman. Jerome has watched many significant people over the years come into contact with Northwood through these events. "The caliber of our awards programs has caused many people to become aware of Northwood," he says, "and our students have greatly benefited from their influences."
Students Transformed
But ultimately we are a university and what happens in our classrooms and how students are transformed is the most important thing we do.
In the beginning Jerome was attracted to Northwood because of our focus on management and business skills graduates could immediately implement when hitting the work place. "The teaching of business doesn't always relate to the reality of business," says Jerome, "but Arthur and Gary were adamant that Northwood academe would have its feet firmly planted in authentic business practices."
Hohman notes Northwood's diligence in preparing our students to be valued assets within their chosen industry. "Our placement rates for graduates are proof what we do is working," he says.
There are countless stories proving the success of Northwood University. Leo Jerome was once at an event on the Texas Campus. A young Hispanic woman was serving the food and Jerome asked her about herself. She was one of 14 children and the first female in her family to graduate from high school. She was also the first of the family to attend college. Her major was international business and she was excited about her future. To Jerome. that this young woman who came from such limited resources could see a future with unlimited possibilities is, in a nut shell, what Northwood is all about.
J Ferron says it well, "It is where we are going that defines us to future students and alumni alike. That is, how relevant we are NOW matters most to our growth and attractiveness to future students. All of us are proud of where we have been, where we are going and why. That is the exciting part of our stewardship and provides the high energy for the coming decades."
The right to take a risk and the right to reap your own rewards -- it's what we teach at Northwood and it is what has kept Marge and Jack Hohman, Leo Jerome, and J and Lynn Ferron standing up for us in the past, in the present and into the future.
Thank you, one and all.
Linda Mathieu
