DATE: April 19, 2007

CONTACT: Bob Geolas, (864) 283-7101
geolas@clemson.edu

WRITER: Sandy Woodward, (864) 656-1220
sandra@clemson.edu

Retired BMW executive joins CU-ICAR team

CLEMSON — The Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) has named Carl Flesher as director of global business development. His responsibilities will include marketing the CU-ICAR program and developing its research-partner relationships and industry contacts.

Flesher has extensive experience in the South Carolina business community. He retired in 2005 from BMW Manufacturing Co., where he served as vice president of corporate communications. He was the first employee hired by BMW for its South Carolina operation and was instrumental in the company’s successful launch in the state.

Following his retirement from BMW, Flesher served as sales manager of the global business development division of the South Carolina Department of Commerce.

“Carl Flesher has an outstanding international reputation as a leader in the automotive industry and as a representative of the South Carolina business community. He played a major role in BMW’s development as a model corporate citizen of South Carolina, and we look forward to having him as a member of the CU-ICAR team,” said CU-ICAR Executive Director Bob Geolas. “His experience and expertise will be of critical value in developing new partnerships and carrying the CU-ICAR message forward.”