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MEAM welcomes two new members to its External Advisory Board (EAB). The Board's business and academic leaders provide valuable advice and insight about industry and the current climate in engineering and the marketplace. The two new board members are: Bronce Henderson, chief executive officer, DCT, Inc., and Michael E. Korybalski (BSE ME '69, MSE '73, MBA '80), chairman and chief executive officer of Mechanical Dynamics, Inc. Bronce Henderson Chief Executive Officer DCT, Inc. Robotics continues to be one of the fastest growing areas of high technology, but there aren't enough high quality engineers to fuel its meteoric expansion. That's one of the main reasons Bronce Henderson, chief executive officer of DCT, Inc., in Warren, MI, decided to join the EAB. His firm conceptualizes, designs, builds, and installs robotics exclusively for the automotive industry. "There is a real shortage of highly qualified engineers in the area of robotics, which combines mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science," says Henderson. I'd like to keep a finger on the pulse of how colleges are preparing students for the business world. And I hope I have value to add by helping them understand the landscape from the point of view of the people who will be hiring their graduates. Henderson received a Bachelor's degree in Metallurgical Engineering from Michigan Technological University in 1973 and a Master's degree in Administration from the University of Alabama-Huntsville in 1978. He joined DCT as president in 1980 and became chief executive officer in 1989. Before that, he served in several positions at Wolverine Division UOP in Alabama. Henderson is a member of the Board of Control of Michigan Technological University, by whom he was named Outstanding Young Alumni. He has served on many economic development task forces, including as chair of Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer's Industrial Job Task Force and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation Industrial Task Force. He was named the 1991-92 World Trader of the Year by the Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce. "I am favorably impressed with the EAB and MEAM's facilities, especially its interdisciplinary centers and use of technology," says Henderson. "It is very interesting to learn about MEAM's focus on building its doctoral programs and attracting the highest quality PhD students from around the country. I look forward to participating in the Department as it moves forward." Michael E. Korybalski Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mechanical Dynamics, Inc. When entrepreneur Michael E. Korybalski graduated from the U-M in 1969, most new graduates sought jobs with large firms, especially in the automotive industry. But that's not as true today, he says, as many students plan to work for small companies or start their own business. "Working for smaller companies or starting their own business is appealing to many young mechanical engineers," says Korybalski. "We started Mechanical Dynamics from nothing and built it up to a worldwide company. Through my involvement on the EAB, I may be able to help students who have an interest in this area. I hope I can also add value to MEAM because of my experience in the computer business." Korybalski is chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Mechanical Dynamics, Inc., an Ann Arbor-based international supplier of software and services for the virtual prototyping market. He co-founded Mechanical Dynamics in 1977, after serving four years as a product engineer with Ford Motor Co. Korybalski received his Bachelor's degree in 1969 and his Master's degree in 1973, both in Mechanical Engineering, at MEAM. He also received a Master's degree in Business Administration from the U-M in 1980. In January 1994, Korybalski received the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from New Enterprise Forum, a Michigan-based organization dedicated to encouraging the spirit and success of entrepreneurs. In May 1994, he was a finalist for Inc. magazine's Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Michigan. Joining the EAB is a natural extension of the close ties Korybalski has kept with MEAM through the years. Mechanical Dynamics has hired several MEAM summer interns and graduates as well as funded some research and worked collaboratively on a few projects. "I have the highest respect for the U-M, MEAM, and the Business School," he says. "Wherever I go they are very highly regarded. Being a U-M graduate is a high honor. My involvement with MEAM is a way I can give something back to the University." EAB "Changing of the Guard" MEAM expresses its sincere appreciation to Kenneth K. Kohrs (far right), who stepped down in June as EAB chair. Kohrs, the founding member of the EAB and Chair since its inception in 1993, has provided invaluable guidance and support to MEAM. He is vice president of the Large and Luxury Car Vehicle Center for Ford Motor Co., in Dearborn, Michigan. EAB member Eugene De Fouw (on left, BSE ME '69), president of the De Fouw Corp., in Camas, WA, will succeed Kohrs as chair. Also pictured (center): outgoing MEAM Chair Panos Y. Papalambros. Photos by U-M MEAM CPO / Rodney Hill