Southeast Michigan Technology Leaders Recognized at Automation Alley's Fourth Annual Awards Gala

Yost, Wood Take Top Honors

/ADVANCE/ PONTIAC, Mich., Sept. 10 -- Automation Alley, Southeast Michigan's technology cluster, announced the winners of its Fourth Annual Premier Technology Awards Gala at the Detroit Science Center on Friday, Sept. 10. Award winners include Larry Yost, the retired CEO of ArvinMeritor, Troy, Mich., as Legend CEO and Ron Wood of Modern Engineering, Rochester Hills, Mich., as CEO of the Year.

According to Ken Rogers, executive director of Automation Alley, Yost was chosen as Legend CEO for his distinguished leadership style that focused on strategic growth. Yost's concentration on speed and responsiveness resulted in cost reductions and increased operating efficiency for Meritor Automotive. His efforts in spearheading key acquisitions and joint ventures were instrumental in merging Arvin Inc. with Meritor, raising annual sales from $3.3 billion in 1997 to a projected $9 billion in 2004.

Ron Wood, named CEO of the Year, rebuilt Modern Engineering after two years with the company, establishing an innovative management team and implementing a vision that led to a 50 percent increase in sales. With a philosophy centered on keeping employees informed and motivated, Modern Engineering has experienced a growth in staff from 768 to over 1,300. The company also has saved customers millions of dollars through proprietary technologies that eliminate cost and waste in engineering.

"Southeast Michigan continues to be a region of growth and success," said Rogers. "The winners of these awards have proven their expertise and dedication to making a difference in technology and the community."

Additional winners, selected by a panel of judges that includes Automation Alley members, are:

* CIO of the Year: Phil Bertolini, Oakland County Government, Pontiac, Mich.

* Emerging Technology Company of the Year: CogniTens, Wixom, Mich.

* Automation Alley Member of the Year: Jenn Cornell, Eiler Communications, Ann Arbor, Mich.

* Technology Company of the Year: Clarity Technologies, Inc., Auburn Hills, Mich.

* Educational Program of the Year: F.I.R.S.T Robotics, throughout Michigan

About Automation Alley

Automation Alley is Southeast Michigan's regional technology cluster, attracting the creators and consumers of diverse technologies from a variety of industries around the world. The Automation Alley Member Consortium is a membership of technologically diverse, progressive business, governmental and educational visionaries working in concert to attract world-class talent and businesses to Southeast Michigan. For more information, visit http://www.automationalley.com/