Northwood University is proud to announce the appointment of Bob Kron, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Rydell Company, as an Executive-in-Residence.
The Rydell Company operates in 18 states and shares many of the values Northwood University instills in its graduates, such as individual responsibility, a commitment to excellence, and good citizenship.
“We are honored to welcome Bob Kron as an Executive-in-Residence,” stated Dr. Kristin Stehouwer, Provost and Academic Vice President from Northwood University. “Executives-in-Residence bring to life what our students learn in their courses. Bob’s leadership and commitment to values-driven business will inspire our students and faculty alike.”
As part of his residency, Kron will engage with the Northwood University community in multiple capacities. He will serve as an expert panelist at the Oct. 3 Center for Automotive & Mobility Studies (CAMS) Industry Summit, attend key events such as the Northwood University International Auto Show, Oct. 4-6 in Midland, Michigan, and a Nov. 11 Leadership Insights: A View from the Helm speaker series event, and participate in several other events throughout the academic year. Additionally, Kron will conduct classroom visits to meet students enrolled in Northwood’s Automotive Marketing and Management and Automotive Aftermarket Management degree programs, and he will be featured as a Leadership Insights speaker later this fall.
“Bob brings a wealth of experience and knowledge from the automotive and business sectors that will provide invaluable insights to our students,” stated Dr. Matt Bennett, Vice President of Strategic Alliances and CAMS. “His engagement will significantly enhance our students’ understanding of the dynamic automotive industry and inspire them to become innovative leaders in their fields.”
Kron graduated from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. His career began in sales with General Mills, and he later spent 25 years as Area Vice President for GlaxoSmithKline. In 2013, he started his career with The Rydell Company and was promoted to president and chief operating officer in 2021.
Reflecting on his new role, Kron stated, “I am honored to accept this appointment as Executive-in-Residence at Northwood University. Northwood’s Center for Automotive & Mobility Studies exemplifies the University’s commitment to creating free enterprise leaders who drive global economic and social progress. I look forward to contributing to the education and growth of the next generation of leaders in the automotive and automotive aftermarket sectors.”
Dr. Dave Oventhal, Subaru of New England Professor of Automotive Strategy, noted that Kron’s impressive career trajectory will be a model for Northwood students.
“Bob’s leadership in diverse sectors, from biopharmaceuticals to automotive, demonstrates a commitment to growth, adaptability, and strategic thinking that are critical in today’s global economy,” Oventhal added.
Northwood University looks forward to the many contributions Bob Kron will make to its community, noted Elgie Bright, who chairs Northwood’s Automotive Marketing and Management degree program.
“As a servant leader who lives the vision of The Rydell Company — which is ‘to be so effective that we are able to help others’ — Bob’s values, and that of Rydell’s, align with our university’s guiding philosophy, The Northwood Idea, in a remarkable way,” Bright added. “We are confident Bob will inspire our students to reach their fullest potential, just as Rydell aims to do for its employees.”
For more information about Northwood University and its programs, please visit www.northwood.edu.
