SPEAKERS/MODERATORS (in alphabetical order)
Abulaban, Majdi, President, Delphi Asia Pacific
Majdi Abulaban is President of Delphi Asia Pacific. Mr. Abulaban oversees Delphi operations located in Asia Pacific with 19,000 employees, 20 wholly owned manufacturing plants and 22 joint ventures across Japan, Korea, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, India & Australia serving a broad portfolio of global and local automotive OEMs. Mr. Abulaban has lived and worked in Asia for over 15 years, with over 10 years experience in China.
Mr. Abulaban began his Delphi career in 1985 as a manufacturing engineer in Delphi Packard's Warren, Ohio operations. Since that time he has had assignments in multiple Delphi divisions, functional areas and regions. In 1993, he was named Finance Manager, Delphi Packard China. He was next appointed Managing Director, Delphi Packard Electric Shanghai in 1995. He moved to Singapore in 1997 as Managing Director, ASEAN and India Region. In January 2000, Majdi was named Director Asia Pacific Operations for Delphi Harrison Thermal Systems before returning to North America as Business Line Executive Cockpits in February 2001. In July 2002, Mr. Abulaban was appointed Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Packard Electric. In April 2006, he was also appointed president Delphi Connection Systems; the world's #2 supplier of Automotive Connection Systems. In May 2009, he assumed the additional responsibility as president of Delphi China leading Delphi operations in China. In October 2009, Mr. Abulaban was appointed president of Delphi Asia Pacific.
Mr. Abulaban holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and an MBA from Case Western Reserve.
An, Jin, President, Jianghuai Automobile Co., Ltd.
An Jin is President and Vice Chairman, Jianghuai Automobile Group Corp. and also President of Jianghuai Automobile Co., Ltd. and the Director of its Technical Center. An is also a member of the 10th and 11th National People's Congress (NPC) representing Anhui Province, vice president of SAE China and vice chair of Anhui Science & Technology Association.
An has been with Jianghuai since 1975, holding various senior-level positions such as vice president and board member of Jianghuai Auto Group, director, board member and vice president of Jianghuai Automobile Co., Ltd. Technical Center, deputy director and director of Jianghuai Automobile Co., Ltd. Automobile Institute and director of the quality office at Hefei Bus Factory.
An has been a key leader behind automotive technology advancement in Anhuai Province. A series of commercial and passenger vehicles and technologies he developed have been a major force behind Jianghuai's growth over the last 18 years. An has won numerous awards such as Model Worker of Anhui Province, China Machinery Industry Top Entrepreneur, National Model Worker as well as China Automotive Industry Elite to commemorate the 30th anniversary of China's opening up and reform.
An graduated from the Hefei University of Technology in 1998 with a Masters degree in Management Engineering, and has a PhD in Management Engineering from the Wuhan University of Technology in 2006.
Broek, Cees ten, Director of Communications, World Steel Association (Sales & Supply Chain)
Cees ten Broek is Director of Communications at World Steel Association based in Brussels, Belgium, where he has held the position since January 2008. His responsibilities include all internal and external communications. On the internal communications, main tasks are focused on having a seamless coordination of all communication activities within the membership.
Before joining the Steel Industry in 1997, Mr. Broek held senior management positions in the Telecommunications Industry with ITT/Alcatel in Brussels and New York, USA (1981-1988), and in the Office Document Processing Industry with Xerox Corporation in The Netherlands and Germany (1989-1997). Beyond these business professional activities, Mr. Broek is a Vice-Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Oxfam International Novib, one of the largest NGO's in the area of developing cooperation.
Mr. Broek graduated from the University of Amsterdam, Netherlands, in Economics and Business Administration. Further, he completed additional studies at the Oxford School of Economics, and IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Chen, Dihong, Deputy Secretary General, China Automobile Dealers Association (Aftermarket)
Chen Dihong is Deputy Secretary General, China Automobile Dealers Association (CADA).
Mr. Chen has held multiple management positions in foreign invested companies, State-owned listed corporations and industry associations.
Mr. Chen participated in an exchange program in the U.S., and obtained a certificate of industry association practitioner issued by National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) in 2006.
In 2007, Mr. Chen went to Australia and exchanged information and opinions with municipal governments and automotive industry associations of Sydney, Brisbane, etc.
In 2009, He visited local government automotive administrations, industry associations, manufacturers and dealers in EU, UK and Germany.
Chen attended the 33-country worldwide Automobile Dealer Industry Organization Leader Roundtable Conference in February 2010, and exchanged views with NADA on future development trends of the Chinese and U.S. automotive industries and roles of industry associations.
Chen, Quanshi, Director, Automotive Research Institute, Tsinghua University
Chen Quanshi is the Director of the Automotive Research Institute at Tsinghua University where he teaches automotive engineering and is a PhD supervisor. He is also the deputy director of the State Key Laboratory of Automobile Safety & Energy Conservation. Chen worked as the director of automobile engineering department at Tsinghua University after graduating from the university in 1970.
Chen's research is mainly devoted to special vehicle (desert vehicles included) R&D, automobile body structure design and research, and key technology research on EV, hybrid and fuel cell vehicles.
Chen has published over 30 theses both at home and abroad and also authored two books, Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle and Advanced Electric Vehicle Technology.
Chen, Yilong, General Director, Asia Pacific Affairs & Chief Rep. China, AIAG (Sales & Supply Chain)
Dr. Chen Yilong is Asia Pacific Affairs Director and Chief Representative in China of Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG).
Dr. Chen received his Ph.D. degree in System and Control from Washington University, St. Louis, USA in 1984 and joined General Motors R&D Center in Detroit. Dr. Chen was the pioneer of using robotics and CAD for concept car design in the world. From 1995 to 1998, he was also one of the pioneers in developing GM's business in China.
As a GM technical fellow, he led research in the areas of robotics, RFID and supply chain quality in GM Tech Center. Dr. Chen was elected an IEEE Fellow in 1999. As a Senior Assistant to the head of GM R&D Center, Dr. Chen also assisted in planning, coordinating and managing GM R&D projects, especially for exploratory/innovative research.
Dr. Chen joined AIAG in 2006. As the General Director of AIAG, Dr. Chen has developed extensive relationships and collaboration with the Chinese government, organizations and automotive industry, and promoted auto supply chain standards and assisted AIAG's member companies' auto parts import/export, sourcing and supplier development in China.
Chotai, Ashvin, Managing Director, Intelligence Automotive Asia (Moderator)
Ashvin Chotai is Managing Director of Intelligence Automotive Asia, which provides research, analysis and consulting/advisory services on developments in the global automotive industry, with specific focus on Asia and Asian companies. Ashvin has been involved in the analysis of the international automotive industry since 1989
Between 1992 and 2007, he worked at Global Insight, initially in the European consulting practice and then specialized in Asia. Between 1996 and December 2007, he was the Head of Asian Automotive Research and played an instrumental role in the development of Global Insight's Asian and emerging market research and analytical capabilities.
His experience also includes a variety of consulting assignments on behalf of car manufacturers, component suppliers, government bodies and financial institutions, in areas such as demand and supply analysis, automotive economics, credit risk analysis, product planning, strategic marketing; evaluation of international business opportunities etc.
Ashvin's earlier career was in oil exploration industry, with Schlumberger where he worked for nine years, mainly in Asia. He held a number of positions, including Field Engineer, Operational Management, Country Manager and Business Development in several European and Asian countries, including assignments in Indonesia, India, Taiwan, Philippines, China, Norway and the UK.
Ashvin is an Engineering graduate from Bristol University (UK) and has an MBA from the London Business School.
Chow, Josephine, Regional M&A Consulting Service Leader, Asia Pacific, Towers Watson (HR)
Josephine Chow is Regional M&A Consulting Service Leader, Asia Pacific, Towers Watson. She is also the Office Practice Leader of Towers Watson Taiwan. During her career at Towers Watson, Josephine has led many organization-transformation projects, such as M&A due diligence, post merger integration including compensation structure, benefit programs, and terms & conditions harmonization, talent management, redundancy in force, and performance management enhancement, She has worked on numerous M&A projects such as DaimlerChrysler, J&J/Pfizer, Pizza Hut, Thomson Reuters, Nokia/Siemens, IBM/AT&T, Astra Zeneca, Citibank, Standard Chartered/AE Bank, etc. across a wide variety of industries including HT/Telecom, Pharmaceutical, FMCG and Finance.
Josephine is also the leader of WorkTaiwanTM Employee Attitude Research Center and has led numerous project teams and has provided employee motivation & engagement related type of services to clients of local and multinational companies. Josephine has a Masters degree in Actuarial Accounting from the University of Iowa and is a registered member of the American Academy of Actuaries (A.S.A.).
Crehan, Paul, OE Sales & Market Director, Michelin (China) Investment Co., Ltd. (Sales & Supply Chain)
Paul Crehan is OE Sales & Market Director of Michelin (China) Investment Co., Ltd.
Paul Crehan has worked for Michelin Tires for more than 26 years. He is a Canadian citizen who holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from McGill University and a MBA from The University of Michigan. He has spent most of his career working in Michelin's Passenger and Light Truck Original Equipment Division and has direct engineering and commercial experience with most major vehicle manufacturers. During this time, he has worked in North America, Asia and Europe, while living in 6 countries. Paul has lived in Asia for more than 8 years in total. He is responsible for Michelin Tire's Original Equipment business in China for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks.
De Koker, Neil, President & CEO, OESA
Neil De Koker is the founding President and CEO of the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA) and recognized as an industry expert on issues facing the automotive industry with a particular emphasis on customer-supplier relations. Founded in August 1998, OESA represents suppliers of components, modules, systems, materials, equipment and services used in and by the original equipment automotive industry. OESA provides a forum for members to address issues of common interest, provides a voice for the industry and promotes the interests of the OE supplier community. The association currently represents 400 companies with global automotive sales of more than $300 billion.
Neil's 47-year career in the automotive industry includes 23 years with General Motors Corp., where he played a lead role in the development and organization of Saturn Corp. De Koker spent four years at Magna International serving as senior vice president, helping to organize and manage the formation of the automotive systems corporations. In addition, he served as senior vice president for Tier 2 supplier companies, The Woodbridge Group and MascoTech Inc., and co-owned a corporate communications company focused on automotive customers.
Neil has a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) and an executive master's degree in business administration from Michigan State University. He also attended the executive development program at Northwestern University.
Fang, Zhangfu, HR Director, Dongfeng Motor Co., Ltd. (HR)
Fang Zhangfu is Director of Human Resources at Dongfeng Motor Co., Ltd. (DFL), where he has held the position since July 2003. He is also the Director of Human Resources Management at DFL and a member of the standing committee of the 7th and 8th Economic Commision at Dongfeng Motor Corp.(DFMC), DFL's parent company.
From 1992 to 2003, he held numerous positions at DFMC's organization department of party committee, including section manager, office director, party organizer, and deputy director. Prior to that he worked at the Second Automotive Works Mould Plant (now DFMC Mould Co.) for 10 years, serving in various positions such as technician, engineer, section manager, director of party office and working director of the party committee.
Fang graduated from the Hefei University of Technology in 1982 with a BS in Electric Automation.
Fierst, Karen, Founder, KerenOr Consultants (Aftermarket)
Karen Fierst is Founder and President of U.S. based KerenOr Consultants.
Fierst is an industry veteran with experience in the collision parts and repair industry. Prior to establishing KerenOr Consultants, Fierst was an executive of the Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA), responsible for strategic planning, industry relations, government affairs, program management, as well as development and implementation of technical and public policy.
Fierst is actively involved in the National Auto Body Council (NABC), currently serving as its Treasurer. She is also a regular participant in the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) and served as Co-Chair of the Industry Discussions Committee for six years. She has chaired or co-chaired a number of fund raising projects for the Collision Industry Foundation.
Ganster, Steven H., Managing Director, Technomic Asia (Aftermarket)
Steve Ganster is Managing Director of Technomic Asia, based in Shanghai, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tompkins International. He has over 28 years in international market strategy and operational consulting, primarily in Asia.
Steve is a frequent speaker on China related topics and has in depth experience in China's automotive sector. He has consulted many leading vehicle makers and tier one and tier two suppliers. He oversees Technomic's annual industry report on China's automotive aftermarket. .
Prior to joining Technomic in 1978, he worked for Sullair Corporation, a division of Sundstrand, in international marketing and sales. Mr. Ganster has an MBA from the Thunderbird, the Garvin School of International Management in Arizona.
Hanley, Michael, Global Auto Industry Leader, Ernst & Young
Mike Hanley is the Global Automotive Leader of Ernst & Young's Automotive Sector. Based in Detroit, Mike is responsible for managing the firm's Global Automotive Center and for developing the firm's Automotive Industry strategy and initiatives worldwide. The Global Automotive Center delivers industry knowledge to automotive Account Teams through sharing of best practices, tailoring of business solutions, and creation of relevant automotive thought leadership.
Mike has 32 years of experience with EY with an emphasis on serving global automotive clients.
Mike currently serves as the Global Client Service Partner for Federal Mogul Corporation and Senior Advisory Partner for Magna International and Nissan North America. He previously served as coordinating partner for the audits of TRW Automotive, Inc.; Cooper Tire & Rubber Company; Textron Automotive Inc.; ThyssenKrupp Automotive NA; and Aeroquip-Vickers, Inc.
Mike is an experienced speaker on the state of the Automotive Industry, corporate governance, and Sarbanes-Oxley.
Mike holds a B.S. from the University of Toledo and has completed Ernst & Young's Executive Program at The Kellogg School of Northwestern University. He is a Certified Public Accountant in Ohio and Michigan and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Hodac, Ivan A.F., Secretary General, ACEA
Ivan Hodac is Secretary General of European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) since 2001. Building on a large experience in EU affairs, he maintains close relationships with the European Commission, the European Parliament and the EU representatives of the Member States. As representative in Brussels of the 15 European automobile manufacturers, Hodac is also counterpart for other industry associations, NGOs and consumer organizations in Brussels.
Before joining ACEA, he was senior vice president and head of Time Warner Europe office. His responsibilities included the coordinating of public and corporate affairs activities of all Time Warner operating divisions in Europe and representing Time Warner corporate interests vis-à-vis the institutions of the European Union, international organisations and governments of EU Member States and other European countries. Previously, Hodac was Secretary-General of trade organization IFMA/IMACE, senior economist at Didier & Associates and assistant at the College of Europe, Bruges.
Hodac (1946) was born in Prague where he studied mechanical engineering. He completed his education at the University of Copenhagen (economics and political science) and the College of Europe in Bruges (European studies).
Huang, Xiangdong, Vice President, Guangzhou Automobile Group Corp.
Huang Xiangdong is Vice President, Guangzhou Automobile Group Corp. (GAC). Huang is also the director of the GAC Automotive Engineering Institute (GAEI) and chairman of Guangzhou Automotive Technical Center (GATC) in charge of GAC's overall vehicle and technology R&D. Huang has been with GAC since September 2004, when he was appointed chief engineer of GAC and chairman of GATC. In June 2005, he was appointed vice present of GAC. Prior to joining GAC, Huang taught at the Southern China University of Technology (SCUT) from 1991 to 2004, including a stint as the vide dean of the School of Transportation at SCUT from 1998 to 2004. Huang graduated from the Wuhan University of Hydraulic and Electrical Engineering in 1982 with a B.S. in Mechanical and also studied at the Turin Polytechnic University in Italy from 1982 to 1985. During his career, Huang oversaw numerous key scientific research projects, including three under the National Natural Science Fund, one under the State 863 Plan and many under the provincial/municipal levels. Huang has published over 60 papers, one book and holds 35 patents.
Jiang, Weidong, Chairman, Shandong Wuzheng Group (Heavy-Duty & Commercial)
Jiang Weidong is Chairman, President and Party Secretary of Shandong Wuzheng Group based in Rizhao, Shandong Province. A graduate of Shandong Broadcast and TV University in 1982, Jiang became deputy director in 1986 of the Wulian General Machinery Factory, which later became Wuzheng Group, a manufacturer of farm trucks, light trucks and electric vehicles.
Jiang has won numerous persona acclaims during his career, such as a Top Ten Young Entrepreneur, Municipal/Provincial/National Model Worker and becoming a member of the National People's Congress in 2008.
Jiang is a native of Rizhao and is also a member of the Communist Party and a senior engineer.
Leroy, Philippe, General Manager, Peugeot Citroen (China) Automotive Trade Co., Ltd.
Philippe Leroy is General Manager, Peugeot Citroën (China) Automotive Trade Co., Ltd.
From 2006 to 2009, he was the costing and technical-procurement director at PSA-Peugeot Citroën Automobile Components. Prior to joining PSA-Peugeot Citroën, Mr. Leroy worked as the Head of Corporate Financing and business development division at the Treasury department (French Ministry of Finances, Economics and Industry) from 2001 to 2006. He was also a board member of state-owned credit and financial institutions, a member of risk-capital funds committees, and general secretary of the national committee for Company Financial and Industrial Restructuring during this period. From 1998 to 2001, he was the regional directorate for industry, research and environment for the Regional Prefecture of Franche-comté, manager of the energy and industrial development Division / prefect advisor and official representative for corporate affairs.
From 1996-1997, he was a project engineer at Technip Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, prior to that he was the deputy division manager of assembly line at Aérospatiale (Bourges) from 1995-1996. In 1995, he was the participated in the Research Study on the Second harmonic generation in the Multi-Quantum wells at the National Research Council in Ottawa, Canada.
Li, Chunrong, Vice President, Dongfeng Passenger Vehicle Co.
Li Chunrong is Vice President, Dongfeng Passenger Vehicle Co. Li has held the position since June 2007, after receiving an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Previously Li has held numerous positions within Dongfeng Motor Corp. (DFMC), including vice president of Dongfeng-Yueda-Kia from 2002-2005, deputy director of the secretariat of the board of Dongfeng Motor Co., Ltd. (DFL) from 200 to 2002, deputy director of the secretariat of DFMC from 1997 to 2000, director of the quality and planning office at the purchasing department of DFMC from 1990 to 1997.
Li graduated in 1985 from the Central China University of Science and Technology with a major in electric automation and in 1987 received a Masters in Management Engineering from the same school. Li is 46 years-old and is a native of Nanchang, Jiangxi Province. During his free time, Li enjoys Go Chess and badminton.
Li, Feng, Executive Vice President, Beijing-Hyundai Motor Co., Ltd.
Li Feng is Executive Vice President of Beijing-Hyundai Motor Co., Ltd. Mr. Li graduated from the Dalian University of Technology with a BA in Vehicle Engineering. After working at the Anhui Tractor Factory from 1986 to 1995, Li joined Beiqi-Foton Automobile Co., Ltd. and worked at a number of management positions including sales and marketing, technology center director, deputy chief engineer, assistant to the president, vice president sales before assuming corporate vice president and president of Beqi-Foton Sales Co., Ltd. From 2005 to 2008, Li was president of Chery Automobile Sales Corp. Li took up the current position in January 2009.
Li, Henry, General Manager, Auto Export Trade Division, BYD Automobile Co., Ltd.
Henry Li is General Manager, Auto Export Trade Division, BYD Automobile Co., Ltd.
Li worked for eight years in China's ship-building industry, holding positions including project manager and director of the sales and marketing office at Liuzhou Xijiang Shipbuilding Factory, before joining BYD Company Ltd. in 1998. From 2001, he worked at BYD Europe as vice president in charge of sales until November 2006 when he took the position as general manager of BYD Auto Export Trade Division. In 2007, Li was also in charge of preparation work for BYD India in 2007 and became responsible for BYD Auto's global export business the same year.
Li graduated from the Harbin Ship-Building Engineering Institute in 1990, with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Link, Brian, Managing Director, Global Automotive Center Shanghai, Ernst & Young (Moderator)
Brian Link is the Managing Director of Ernst & Young's Shanghai-based global automotive center - the Asia-Pacific hub within a global network of centers serving the automotive sector.
In addition to serving multinational automotive clients in China, Brian is one of the firm's leading resources in the area of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), maintaining a keen focus upon developing and implementing practical, customized solutions that move beyond the theoretical ERM constructs that prevail in the market.
Prior to joining EY, Brian led an industrial marketing advisory practice within a US engineering firm, sponsored in part by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and focused upon transferring technologies through commercialization, in part, by small and medium sized automotive suppliers.
Brian also served as adjunct faculty and lecturer within the Cleveland State University and Case Western Reserve University graduate business programs. He is an active member and frequent speaker within the Institute of Internal Auditors.
Brian has an MBA from the University of Arizona and a BA in Economics from the Cleveland State University. He is fluent in English and functionally fluent in German
Lockstrom, Martin, Professor, China Europe International Business School (Sales & Supply Chain)
Dr. Martin Lockström is Director at the BMW-SMI Centre for Purchasing and Supply Management and Deputy Director at the Global Center for Operations Management and Value Chain Integration at China Europe International Business School.
Prior to his assignment at CEIBS, he served as chair holder at the Chair for Purchasing and Supply Management at Sino-German School for Postgraduate studies at Tongji University, Shanghai. With almost four years of continuous on-site experience from China, Dr. Lockström focuses his research activities on China-specific challenges related to sourcing, logistics and supply chain management. Besides from that, his main interests concern global sourcing strategy, offshoring and international management. In addition, he is also Senior China Representative of Supply Chain Management Institute, an international research and training institute headquartered in Germany.
Marx, Gerrit, President, Daimler Trucks China (Heavy-Duty & Commercial)
Dr. Gerrit Marx is President & CEO of Daimler Trucks China, responsible for sales and marketing of trucks and special purpose vehicles, after sales service and network development. He is also the project leader of the H/MDT Truck Joint Venture with Beiqi-Foton, and overall Strategy of Daimler Trucks China.
From 2007 to 2009, Dr. Marx worked as Director in Finance and Controlling at Daimler AG, responsible for Truck Group projects worldwide encompassing powertrain components, vehicles of all Daimler truck brands and mergers & acquisitions.
Before joining Daimler, Dr. Marx was a management consultant at McKinsey & Company, leading ample assignments in Germany, Brazil, India, and Japan, with focus on automotive industry (OEM, suppliers) and aerospace covering product development, purchasing, target costing and productivity improvements.
Dr. Marx graduated from the University of Cologne as "Dr. rer. pol." He also holds Masters degrees of Business Administration and Mechanical Engineering from RWTH Aachen (University of Technology Aachen, Germany).
Mulligan, Frank, Managing Partner, Accetis International (HR/Moderator)
Frank Mulligan is the China Director for Accetis International and the founder of Talent Software, Inc. Frank specializes in Executive Search, Staff and Candidate Assessment & Testing, and Staffing Metrics. Headquartered in Paris, Accetis International is an executive search firm with a network of nine offices in Europe, Asia, and North America. Talent Software, Inc. is a Shanghai-based HR outsourcing provider which Frank built up using China's first bilingual ATS and testing solution.
He has lived in China for over 14 years in both Beijing and Shanghai. Before starting Talent Software, Frank was the Chief Representative of Norman Broadbent Executive Search in China, 1st Secretary Commercial for the Irish Embassy in Beijing and Strategic Planning Manager, Siemens, Ltd. China. Frank operates two blogs and an online TV program that he hosts. See www.itv-asia.com and http://english.talent-software.com.
Nakamura, Kimiyasu, President, Dongfeng Motor Co., Ltd.
Kimiyasu Nakamura is President of Dongfeng Motor Co., Ltd. (DFL). He was appointed to the position in April 2008. Mr. Nakamura has also been a board director of DFL since July 2003. Mr. Nakamura has held numerous senior level positions through his career at Nissan Motor, including senior vice president, corporate vice president, General Manager of No. 1 and No. 2 Vehicle Development Department and director of merchandise at Nissan Motor's Office of Merchandise Planning.
Mr. Nakamura received an MS degree in Machinery Engineering from the Postgraduate School of Keio University in March 1980 and joined Nissan Motor thereafter.
Niino, Masashi, Chief Representative, Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association Beijing Office
Masashi Niino is Chief Representative, Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc. (JAMA) Beijing Office. Mr. Niino joined JAMA in January 2010 after retiring from Yama Motor at the end of 2009, where he has worked at most of his career.
Mr. Niino entered Yamaha Motor Co. upon graduation in 1979 and over the years held positions such as Motorcycle Sales Division, Corporate Planning Division, Gas Heat Pump air-conditioner Division Manager. He was appointed as an Executive Committee member of Hunan Zhuzhou Jianshe Yamaha Motor in 2003. In 2006, he went back to Tokyo Japan and was appointed as an officer of the foreign affairs department of Yamaha Motor Tokyo Office. He also served as a JAMA committee member.
Niino is a native of Niigata Prefecture, Japan and undertook his schooling in several places in Japan and gained entry to Aoyama-Gakuin University in Tokyo in 1975 and completed his undergraduate degree in Economics in 1979.
Osterman, Dietmar, Director & Global Automotive Practice Leader, PRTM
Dietmar Ostermann is Director, Global Automotive Practice Leader at PRTM, a management consulting firm. Dietmar's focus is on automotive OEMs and suppliers in Europe, North America, Japan, China, and India.
Dietmar joined PRTM in 2005 as a senior director focusing on the automotive industrial equipment industries as well as PRTM's private equity and large enterprise profitability practice. He was elected to serve on PRTM's Governance Committee, the equivalent of a board of directors.
Prior to joining PRTM, Dietmar spent 17 years consulting with A.T. Kearney, 10 of those years as a vice president, holding the position of chief executive officer from 2000 to 2003, managing director Europe in 2000, managing director Germany from 1997 to 2000, and NA automotive practice leader from 1996 to 1997.
Dietmar's areas of expertise include business strategy, operations strategy, manufacturing strategy, operations improvement, supply chain management, strategic sourcing, overhead cost reduction, product development, and all aspects of product architecture, platform strategy, and complexity reduction.
Dietmar holds both a Bachelor and Master of Science in business and engineering from the University of Hamburg in Germany and a Master of Science in industrial and systems engineering from the University of Southern California.
Puri, A.S., Senior General Manager, Tata Motors
A.S. Puri is Senior General Manager (Government Affairs & Collaborations) at Tata Motors Ltd. He joined Tata Motors in August 1975 and has worked in both Plants and Corporate Office in various functions over the last 34 years after earning his Bachelor of Technology in Electrical Engineering in 1975 from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). Mr. Puri has been actively associated with the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). He has represented SIAM/CII in various aspects such as Chairman of International Relations Group at SIAM, alternate member on the governing council of Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) representing Tata Motors and a member of the Energy Sub-Committee of CII (Western Region). He also represented the Auto Industry on the Sub-Committee on Financing, Taxation, Fare & Freight Rates and Insurance concerning Trucking Industry in India which was constituted by Ministry of Surface Transport.
Putvin, Tom, President, PEI-China Business Consulting (Moderator)
Tom Putvin is President of PEI - China Business Consulting, a company specializing in providing services to those pursuing business between China and the USA. He holds a B.S. from the University of Detroit, has done postgraduate work at Oakland University, attended Thunderbird Global Management Program at the American Graduate School of International Management in Phoenix, Arizona.
Mr. Putvin spent 30 years with General Motors Corporation, including positions as Director of Purchasing GM China and Director Supplier Development. Mr. Putvin lived in China from 1994 until 1998 and worked at two different joint ventures.
Mr. Putvin is a member of: Institute for Supply Management (ISM), Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), American Chamber of Commerce Shanghai, the Advisory Committee to Board of Directors of Detroit China Business Association (DCBA), the Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce, the Detroit Regional Chamber, and National Association of Purchasing Management - Metro Detroit. Mr. Putvin continues to do a combination of consulting, seminars, and training.
Russo, Bill, Senior Advisor, Booz & Co. (Moderator)
Bill Russo is a Senior Industry Advisor with Booz & Co. based in Beijing. Bill is also the Founder and President of Synergistics Ltd., an international business development advisory firm focused on building successful partnerships. He has over 25 years of industry experience in driving strategy and performance improvement within large corporations. He has over 15 years experience as an automotive executive, including 6 years of experience in China and Asia.
As Vice President of North East Asia automotive operations for Chrysler, he successfully negotiated and secured government approval for 6 vehicle programs within a 3-year time period with 3 different Asian partners. In this time period, he launched a regional holding company as well as 2 sales companies. Bill oversaw the industrialization of the first Chrysler and Dodge-branded vehicles in Asia
As head of Product & Business Strategy, he led the integration of 3 key planning functions: strategic planning, long-range product planning and the capital investment plan. He had played a major role in achieving a major business turnaround by strengthening operational transparency through deployment of a system-wide balanced scorecard. His work earned international acclaim and was featured in leading business journals like the Harvard Business Review
As a Business Transformation Consultant, he has led global cross-functional multi-disciplinary teams in the identification and implementation of business improvement initiatives throughout key value streams and functions. He holds a US Patent for his innovative efforts towards reducing automotive New Product Development cycle time
Bill has a MS in Manufacturing Systems Engineering from Lehigh University and a BS in Engineering from Columbia University.
Seto, Dominic, Vice President, Asia Pacific, Delphi Product & Service Solutions (Aftermarket)
Dominic Yuklam Seto is Vice President, Asia Pacific, Delphi Product and Service Solutions and Vice President of Delphi China.
Mr. Seto is responsible for the Delphi Product & Service Solutions operations and footprint expansion in the region, aftermarket profitability, OE Service, and the identification of additional sourcing opportunities. And he is also responsible for all functional shared services groups for all Delphi Operations in China, and all trading activities and profitability in China.
Seto has over 28 years of engineering, operations, service, quality and international experience with General Motors and Delphi.
She, Zhenqing, Deputy Secretary General, China Highway & Transportation Society Bus Sub-Society (Heavy-Duty & Commercial)
She Zhenqing is Deputy Secretary General of China Highway & Transportation Society Bus Sub-Society. He is also the chief analyst at www.chinabus.info.
Since 1998, Mr. She has been working with China Highway Vehicle & Machinery Co., Ltd. in charge of bus market research and analysis. He established www.ztauto.com in the year 2000 and www.chinabus.info in 2002.
From 1995 to 1998, Mr. She worked at the Ministry of Transport. Prior to that he worked at CSC Wuhan Changjiang Shipbuilding Co. from 1986 to 1995.
Smith, Robert, Partner, Indirect Taxes, Ernst & Young (SSC)
Robert Smith is the Partner in charge of Ernst & Young's Indirect Tax Practice in China. He is based in Shanghai and has spent over ten years in Asia.
He has a wide range of customs and indirect tax knowledge and familiarity dealing with such issues throughout China and the Asia Pacific Region. He is well versed in a number of subjects, including: China's VAT system, customs valuation, customs classification, import/export procedures, licensing, duty reliefs, export VAT refunds, and other planning opportunities.
Robert has extensive practical experience assisting automotive companies in China to manage the customs and indirect tax function and resolve issues directly with China Customs. He has provided advice and assistance on many areas such as: supply chain restructuring; VAT treatment on transactions, duty/VAT free importation of raw materials for export production; positive resolution of valuation investigations; technical tariff classification opinions; reconciliation of customs handbooks; treatment of royalties, free trade agreements; etc.
Robert Smith holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in Professional Accounting from Brigham Young University. He passed the USCPA exam and previously worked as an auditor for Ernst & Young. He is a licensed U.S. Customs Broker and formerly worked as a customs consultant in the United States.
Sun, Fan, CFA, Hewitt Associates (HR)
Sun Fan is the Consulting Director, Reward Management at Hewitt Associates Beijing. He co-leads the Employees Benefits consulting practice for Hewitt Greater China.
Fan has rich experience in employee reward consulting. He started his career in a leading insurance company in US providing employee benefits solution on pension and healthcare management. After joining Hewitt, he assisted many employers in China on employee reward program design and implementation. Fan has developed deep content knowledge on managing compensation and benefits program in China and across its border.
Fan received his MBA degree from the University of Massachusetts in the U.S. and his BS from University of International Business and Economics in Beijing. Fan is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
Tian, Guohua, Secretary General, China Auto Maintenance Equipment Industry Association (Aftermarket)
Tian Guohua is Vice President, Secretary General and Senior Engineer, China Automobile Maintenance and Repair Equipment Professional Association (CAMREPA).
Since the 1970s, Mr. Tian has been involved in R&D of diagnostic equipment for automobile maintenance and repair. He had worked 7 years as secretary general of National Technical Committee on Automobile Maintenance and Repair Standardization.
Mr. Tian is familiar with automobile maintenance and repair standards system, industry history, current situation and future development trends.
von Meister, Rudi, General Manager, IVECO China (Heavy-Duty & Commercial)
Rudi von Meister is General Manager of China operations for IVECO, the truck group of FIAT. He is responsible for the performance and strategy of IVECO's commercial vehicle ventures in Nanjing and Chongqing, and serves as a board member of several Fiat Group ventures in China. Prior to joining IVECO in 2006, Mr. von Meister was a consultant with AT Kearney and had previously held leadership positions with General Motors in Asia-Pacific, Europe and the USA.
Mr. von Meister's relationship with the Chinese auto industry dates to 1985, when he joined GM's new China project team. He was based in Beijing as Delphi China's first chief representative during 1993-1997, and was a member of the negotiation team that completed the GM vehicle assembly joint venture in Shanghai.
He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and also has an MBA from Columbia University.
Mr. von Meister speaks Chinese and lives in Nanjing, China, and Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Wang, Dazong, President, Bejiing Automotive Industry Holding Corp.
Dr. Wang Dazong is President, Beijing Automotive Industry (Holding) Corp. (BAIC). Before joining BAIC in 2008, Dr. Wang was a Vice President of SAIC Motor Corp. between 2006-2007.
Dr. Wang received his PhD from Cornell University in 1985. Upon graduation, he entered General Motors. From 1985-1994, he worked at GM's Research Center and Systems Engineering Center, where he held various positions such as senior engineer, chief engineer and director. From 1994-1997, he was the president, Greater China and chief engineer of Delphi Energy and Engine Management Systems based in Beijing. During this period, he helped establish three joint ventures with total investment of over $100 million and held positions such as chairman and board member at these JVs. From 1997 until 2006, he went back to GM where he worked as directors for vehicle integration, engineering design, analysis and computer modeling.
Xing, Wayne W.J., Editor/Publisher, China Business Update/China Automotive Review
Wayne, Wayne W.J. Xing, Ph.D., is Editor/Publisher of China Automotive Review, a monthly tabloid magazine, and President of China Business Update, a publishing, market intelligence and consulting firm based in Amherst, Massachusetts.
Dr. Xing holds a B.A. in English from the Beijing University of Foreign Studies (1968), an M.A. in Journalism from the Beijing Institute of Journalism (1982) and an MA and Ph.D. in History from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (1992). After teaching for two years at the Dalton School in New York City, Dr. Xing founded Gnix Transpacific Co., Ltd. and China Business Update in 1994.
Before Dr. Xing moved to the U.S., he worked as professor of English at the Nanjing Foreign Languages Institute, manager at Bank of China and researcher at the Shijiazhuan Semiconductor Institute.
Xu Changming, Director of Economic Research, State Info Center
Xu Changming is Director and Senior Economist of the Department of Information Resource Development under the State Information Center. A graduate of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Xu is an expert in macroeconomic research with a focus on the auto industry. For the past 10 years, Xu is Chief Editor of the Zhongguo Qiche Shichang Zhanwang (China's Automobile Market Outlook). Over the years, Xu has also been responsible for several research projects on the Chinese automobile market. He sits on the board of numerous organizations involved in automobile sales and marketing.
Xu, Guowei, Deputy Director, HR, Jianghuai Automobile Co., Ltd. (HR)
Xu Guowei is Deputy Director of Human Resources, Jianghuai Automobile Group Corp. He is also a certified national senior human resources manager, management consultant and a member of China's Organization of National Automotive Industry Human Resources Professionals. In 2000, Xu graduated from the Harbin University of Science And Technology with a Bachelors degree in Engineering. In 2008, he received Masters degree in management from the University of Science and Technology of China. Over the last 10 years of his HR management career, he has mainly focused on parent/subsidiary company management, corporate culture building, and enterprise reform, especially in performance management of subsidiary company, spinoff restructuring, strategic motivation of managers and employee career planning. He has authored numerous theses and research reports, including Reference and Application of Confucianism in Modern Corporate Management, Strategy Based Subsidiary Company KPI System Design Methods, and Application of Concurrent Engineering Theory on Talent Development. Xu is a native of Tongcheng, Anhui Province.
Xu, Helen, Vice President China Operations, International Automotive Components
Helen Xu is Vice President of China Operations of International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc. In this role, Helen is responsible for IAC's China Operations, including Sales and Marketing and Program Management. Based at the company's Shanghai Headquarters, Helen is tasked with managing the continued rapid growth and expansion of IAC's Asian operations.
Helen has 11 years of experience in the automotive industry. Most recently, she served as Director, Sales / Marketing and Program Management at IAC Asia in China. Helen joined IAC through the North American acquisition of Lear's Interior Systems Division.
Helen has an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University and a MBA degree from Walsh College.
Xu, Jasper, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers China
Jasper is a Partner in the Risk and Controls Solutions practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers ("PwC") Shanghai. He joined the Assurance and Business Advisory practice of PwC Shanghai in 1993.
He immigrated to Canada in 1999 and returned to China five years ago to rejoin PwC Shanghai to lead internal audit advisory services as well as integrated audits for major US clients and China Foreign Private Issuers. Jasper also leads risk advisory, Sarbanes Oxley S404 ("SOX"), and corporate governance projects for several major clients. In addition, he conducts IT system audit supports and application reviews for both audit and non-audit clients.
Prior to rejoining PwC, Jasper spent four years in industry with a Fortune 100 company as a senior internal audit manager reporting to the corporate audit VP and the North America regional CFO to plan and execute the internal audit programs for North America operations. In addition, he was responsible for managing the entire internal audit activities and Audit Committee reporting of one major Canadian subsidiary.
Jasper is a Chinese Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and MBA.
Yang, Jian, President, Geely Holding Group
Yang Jian is President and Director of the Operation & Management Committee at Geely Holding Group. He is also the vice chairman of the board of directors at Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd., a Hong Kong listed (HK0175) subsidiary of Geely Holding Group. Yang has held these positions since 2008. Yang has been with Geely since its inception in 1996 and has held senior level positions at Geely's corporate level and manufacturing subsidiaries, including board member at Geely Holding Group, director of Geely Automobile Institute, president of Shanghai Maple Automobile Co., Ltd., president of Shanghai JMStar Automobile Manufacturing Co., Ltd., vice president of Geely Automobile Co., Ltd. and vice president/president of Ningbo Meiri Automobile Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Yang has a Junior College degree in Management Engineering from the Zhejiang Radio & TV University.
Yang, Zaishun, Deputy Secretary General, China Passenger Vehicle Association (Heavy-Duty & Commercial)
Yang Zaishun is Deputy Secretary General of China Passenger Vehicle Association (CPVA).
From 2005 to 2009, Mr. Yang held multiple positions at Chery Automobile. In 2009, he was responsible for the product development and market research of Chery's heavy-duty truck brand C&C.
From 1985 to 2005, Mr. Yang held a series of positions at Nanjing Automobile (Group) Corporation (NAC), responsible for NAC's product development and market research of commercial vehicles and special-purpose vehicles.
Yin, Tongyue, Chairman & President, Chery Automobile Co., Ltd.
Yin Tongyue is Chairman and President, Chery Automobile Co., Ltd. Yin has held the position since February 2004. Prior to that, he was the executive vice president of the company from 1996 to 2004. Yin spent the early part of his career at the FAW Group, joining the company in 1984 after obtaining a Bachelors degree in Automotive Manufacturing from the Hefei University of Technology. From 1984 to 1989, he worked as a craftsman at the FAW Red Flag Plant. From 1989 to 1991, he studied in Germany and the U.S. and participated in the preparation work for the FAW-Volkswagen joint venture. From 1991 to 1996, he was the general assembly shop director and Logistic Department director at FAW-Volkswagen. Yin has won numerous national awards, including National Model Worker and CCTV Person of the Year in 2005. Yin Tongyue is Chairman and President, Chery Automobile Co., Ltd.
Zeng, Alan, Purchasing Director, Chrysler China Regional Sourcing Office (Sales & Supply Chain)
Alan Zeng is Purchasing Director of Chrysler's China Regional Sourcing Office.
Mr. Zeng has been with the company since 2005 and has held various senior manager level positions for powertrain, transmission, electric/electronic and interior procurement. Prior to his tenure at Chrysler, Mr. Zeng worked for Dongfeng-Peugeot-Citroen Automobile Co., Ltd. and Jinbei-GM Automobile Co., Ltd. as purchasing engineer and supplier quality engineer, respectively. Mr. Zeng holds Management Science & Engineering and Automotive Sales Engineering degrees from the Wuhan University of Technology.
Zhang, Yale, Director of Greater China Vehicle Forecast, CSM Worldwide
Yale Zhang is Director of Greater China Vehicle Forecasts, CSM Worldwide. Yale Zhang is responsible for incorporating manufacturer program intelligence, marketing and production strategies into CSM Worldwide's Greater China Market forecast. He has more than eight years of experience in the Chinese automotive market and has worked for Automotive Resources Asia, Ltd. in Beijing, where he led in-depth market research studies for major OEMs.
Zhu, Mingrong, Vice President & Secretary General, China Auto Talents Society (HR)
Zhu Mingrong is Vice President and Secretary General of China Auto Talents Society. He is one of the leading HR practitioners in the Chinese automotive industry and. He authored numerous articles and theses pertaining to the topic of talent in the Chinese auto industry, including Development Strategy of Chinese Automotive Talent, Development Direction of the Chinese Automotive Talent Base, which have won praise and attention from within the industry.