Vice President (Deceased) – Retired Monroe Auto Equipment Company
Having culminated years of experience in leading and developing companies, Dr. John (Jack) Hohman’s career is a shining example for leaders in the world of business. As an ethical capitalist he steadily built a substantial, diversified portfolio by taking advantage of industry changes and economic shifts. A supporter of Northwood University for over 40 years, Dr. Hohman served as the institution’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees for ten years, assisting with the expansion of its global footprint, growth of residential campuses, Master of Business Administration and adult learner programs, and more. Jack Hohman’s career began after graduating from Hillsdale College in 1954 when he joined Monroe Auto Equipment Company (MAECO) as a sales engineer in the Original Equipment Sales Department. He steadily worked his way up, gaining the position of Vice President of the Manufacturers Sales Division in 1964. During the next 14 years, he increased sales in his division from 3.5 million to 55 million dollars annually. Monroe’s growth in the automotive aftermarket industry was aided by the establishment of new manufacturing plants in Georgia, Nebraska, Arkansas, Canada and Europe. While maintaining his leadership role at MAECO, Dr. Hohman continued to participate in attractive business ventures. Forecasting growth in television cable, he founded Monroe Cablevision in 1970 and later sold it in 1980. Retiring after 25 years with Monroe, he projected growth in the travel business due to airline deregulation, so purchased a retail travel agency and expanded it to include business and incentive travel. He later partnered to acquire a local title company which he successfully grew and sold. He then partnered with his son Robert to form Complete Battery Source which has grown to six locations in Michigan. Now Chairman Emeritus of Northwood University’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Hohman received a Northwood University honorary doctorate in 1986, and plays a lead role in its automotive aftermarket fundraising campaign. A past chair of Northwood University’s Finance Committee, he has served as co-chair of the university’s National Women’s Board & Friends, along with his wife, Marjorie. He is also a past member of the Society of Automotive Engineers. He received the Northwood University Automotive Aftermarket Education Award and Outstanding Alumni Tower Award from Hillsdale College. “Jack Hohman is a reminder of the breed that built America. He is strong, true, honest and kind, while being analytical and tough-minded in the best possible way. It used to be that people of merit dedicated themselves to a cause outside themselves, stuck with it and insured that cause prospered. That is difficult to find these days. But Jack singlehandedly proved his ability to change and elevate Northwood through his multi-decade support, guidance, care and effort. It never earned him a thing, but it gave us a future forever. He is a hero,” exclaimed Dr. David Fry, Northwood University President Emeritus.
