Northwood University graduates first class of Automotive MBA students.

We don't usually toot our own horn but we want to congratulate our founder and editor on his recent achievement of graduating as part of the first ever Automotive MBA program offered by Northwood University. Albert Heiles was one of eighteen graduates of the first cohort to graduate with this prestigious honor on December 11th, 2010. The cohort made up of eighteen students from all areas of the auto industry from vehicle manufacturers to aftermarket product companies to dealers.

"This is a great program for anyone that wants to be challenged to transform our industry and also assess their own behaviors and attitudes," commented Elgie Bright, district sales manager, Chevy-Eastern Michigan, General Motors.

The program  also allowed for an excellent networking tool for students and friendships and relationships flourished over the course of the program.

The 27th month program included a comprehensive masters degree program focusing on business operations, finance, international trade, individual freedom and entrepreneurial values. Northwood University is no stranger to the auto industry. Since 1961 they have been the only university to offer a comprehensive degree focusing on the business side of the auto industry 

Congratulations to the 2010 Graduates of Northwood University.

Source: Northwood University.

[Press Release]

MIDLAND, MI – The DeVos Graduate School of Management celebrated the graduation of the inaugural class of its Dealership Executive MBA program (DEMBA) at Northwood University's commencement ceremony on Saturday, December 11, 2010.

The cohort consisted of students from all over the country representing the following companies. Association of Finance & Insurance Professionals, Autobahn Automotive Media, Autotrader.com, Central Atlantic Toyota Distributors, Manheim Online Solutions, Credit Acceptance Corporation, DCH Auto Group, Flemington Car & Truck Company, Ford Motor Credit Company, General Motors, John Brothers, Inc., Nissan North America, Fidelis Systems, Performance Auto Group Family of Dealers, Performance Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Lincoln, Talisman Suzuki, and Vaughn Automotive New Vehicle Dealership.

"Northwood has a rich history with the automotive industry and remains committed to further developing leaders throughout the competitive automotive marketplace," said Dr. Lisa Fairbairn, dean of the DeVos Graduate School of Management at Northwood University.

Several recent DEMBA graduates expressed their experience with the program. Sara Villarin-Yi, comptroller at Talisman Suzuki, said, "I would have to say that whatever success my dealership will be experiencing it will be because of this program. I started not knowing much about the automotive industry but finished with a plethora of knowledge and great friends." "This is a great program for anyone that wants to be challenged to transform our industry and also assess their own behaviors and attitudes," commented Elgie Bright, district sales manager, Chevy-Eastern Michigan, General Motors.

Rick Levitin, Infiniti dealer product & service trainer at Nissan North America, added, "This Northwood MBA has given me the critical thinking skills necessary to meet the unique challenges of our dynamic automotive industry. I am able to quickly apply the curriculum material and best practices shared among classmates to my contact with the Infiniti dealer body."

The Dealership Executive MBA (DEMBA) program, introduced in 2008, is an innovative MBA curriculum specifically designed to meet the ever-growing needs of leadership development within the retail automotive industry.

ABOUT NORTHWOOD UNIVERSITY
Northwood University is committed to the most personal attention to prepare students for success in their careers and in their communities; it promotes critical thinking skills, personal effectiveness, and the importance of ethics, individual freedom and responsibility.

Private, nonprofit, and accredited, Northwood University specializes in managerial and entrepreneurial education at three full-service, residential campuses located in southern Florida, mid-Michigan and northern Texas. Adult Degree Programs are available in eight states with many course delivery options including an online option. The DeVos Graduate School offers full-time, evening and industry specific master's degree programs for entrepreneurs and executives in Michigan, Texas, Florida and Switzerland. The Alden B. Dow Center for Creativity and Enterprise in Midland, Michigan, specializes in creative thinking and innovation development. International education is offered through study abroad and in Program Centers in Switzerland, China, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. Northwood University also operates the Margaret Chase Smith Library in Maine.