DATE: January 18, 2007

CONTACT: Chris Przirembel, (864) 656-7701
cprzmbl@clemson.edu
CONTACT: Bob Geolas, (864) 283-7102
geolas@clemson.edu
CONTACT: Jody Bryson, (864) 283-2305
jbryson@upstatealliance.com

WRITER: Susan Polowczuk, (864) 656-2063
susan.polowczuk@clemsonews.clemson.edu


Ford VP to Present Business Plan to Upstate Leaders

CLEMSON — The Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) and the Upstate Alliance will welcome an official of the Ford Motor Company to the Upstate Tuesday, Jan. 23.

David Leitch, general counsel and senior vice president, will present a briefing to Upstate business leaders on Ford’s “Way Forward” plan, a newly launched initiative to improve competitiveness and profitability in today’s economy. In recent published reports, Ford Motor Company Chief Financial Officer Don Leclair has said the company will keep its budget for research and development stable in spite of restructuring and downsizing.

The presentation will be at Upstate Alliance’s headquarters at 11:30 a.m.

Prior to Leitch’s presentation, he will join CU-ICAR Executive Director Bob Geolas and Clemson Vice President for Research and Economic Development Chris Przirembel for a brief tour of the CU-ICAR campus and overview of the center’s research and economic development initiatives. Upstate Alliance President Hal Johnson and UA Board Chairman Doug Harper will give Leitch a regional overview.

“Ford is interested in innovation and collaboration, and that’s certainly what CU-ICAR is about,” Geolas said. “We want to show Mr. Leitch the level of public-private investment and the focus of automotive research that puts CU-ICAR at the heart of the Southeast’s automotive cluster.”

Johnson added, “The Upstate Alliance markets the Upstate region to automotive executives worldwide, but we always welcome the opportunity to host those decision-makers here where they can experience our world-class business climate and observe our automotive cluster first-hand. Our business leaders look forward to sharing our success story with Mr. Leitch during his visit.”

Leitch joined Ford in 2005 after serving as deputy assistant to President George W. Bush and as the White House’s deputy counsel. He advised the president and his staff on legal issues that included the war on terrorism, judicial nominations, legislative proposals and ethics. He also has served as chief counsel for the Federal Aviation Administration.

END

Media Note:

  • Photographers are welcome on the CU-ICAR site tour with Clemson officials and David Leitch, beginning at 10:15 a.m. in the CU-ICAR main parking lot, followed by a tour of the Timken building (no photos allowed at Timken).
  • Upstate Alliance is located at 124 Verdae Blvd. Suite 202 in Greenville.