Chrysler Group Executives Support Local Colleges with Commencement Addresses

Executives Urge Graduates to Embrace Substance, Diversity and Social Responsibility to Achieve Success in the Global Marketplace

- Eric R. Ridenour, Executive Vice President - Product Development, shares keys to success in the global marketplace with graduates at Oakland University - W. Frank Fountain, Senior Vice President - External Affairs & Public Policy - Auburn Hills, urges University of Toledo graduates to give back to their communities - Both executives see a successful future for those with the right attitude and philosophy

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Dec. 20 -- Chrysler Group executives were featured speakers this weekend at commencement ceremonies held at Oakland University (Rochester Hills, Mich.) and the University of Toledo on Saturday.

Eric R. Ridenour, Executive Vice President - Product Development for the Chrysler Group, shared his keys for success in today's global marketplace with about 300 graduates of Oakland University's schools of Engineering, Computer Science and Business Administration.

Ridenour offered graduates five suggestions to achieve success in today's global marketplace: strengthen core skills through continuous learning; seek sufficient depth and breadth of experience; develop a global sensibility; embrace diversity; and always work to reconnect and retool.

"In this market you must constantly strengthen your knowledge, skills and experiences in order to create new value," Ridenour said. "There's no amount of 'buzz' you can create about knowledge of your discipline that will survive long in this marketplace. Sustainable success today is about substance. You need a strong base and you need to build on it throughout your career."

To illustrate this, Ridenour used the Chrysler 300 as an example.

"While there continues to be a lot of buzz about this vehicle, its success is really not about buzz," said Ridenour. "The Chrysler 300 represents an incomparable mix of engineering excellence, power, design, quality and value that comes together beautifully to make a substantive statement in the marketplace."

The Chrysler 300 recently received Motor Trend's coveted Car of the Year Award for 2005.

Ridenour encouraged the graduates to seek sufficient depth and breadth of experience.

"Develop your core skills in your respective disciplines, but don't rely solely on this," he said. "Seek greater knowledge of other key disciplines in business, economics, finance and marketing. For instance, while I want technically solid engineers, what I really want are technically solid engineers who can think and execute like disciplined business people."

Ridenour stated that today's market requires a global sensibility.

"Understand how global forces and global competition affect you and your companies," he said. "And, work to develop the ability to see -- and actually to imagine -- emerging risks and new opportunities on a global scale."

Diversity is a growing influence, said Ridenour.

"Diversity may be among the most powerful forces at work in today's business world," he said. "Companies with diverse workforces are cauldrons of new ideas, and are better connected with an increasingly diverse customer base. So, my advice to you is to learn from diversity and expand your horizons. Understand cultural nuances and don't forget your customers are in fact diverse. Ignoring the nuances may mean ignoring customers."

On continually reconnecting and retooling, Ridenour said:

"Develop your own 'systems checks' on where you need to be to remain successful," he said. "Seek mentors with perspective on what's changing in the market and in your discipline. Stay connected to your school. Stretch yourself. Amaze yourself. And remember that you can do much more than you think. "

Ridenour concluded his remarks with encouraging thoughts for graduates about their future.

"There was never a better time to be a new graduate joining most any industry, especially if you're aware of the challenges and opportunities in this market, and have the right philosophy," he said.

"That philosophy includes a commitment to remaining at the top of your core discipline, actively enhancing your core skills with knowledge of complementary disciplines, embracing the opportunities of globalization and diversity and truly enjoying the journey."

W. Frank Fountain, Senior Vice President - External Affairs and Public Policy - Auburn Hills, in his commencement address to more than 1,400 graduates at the University of Toledo, encouraged graduates to give back to their communities as their career journeys progress and achieve success.

"Just as a corporation like DaimlerChrysler can't be considered a good corporate citizen without providing jobs, earning profits, paying taxes and supporting civic programs," he said, "each of us can't be considered good individual citizens without becoming successful in our careers and returning some of our success to our communities. No matter where your work and family life take you, there will be opportunities to give back to your communities through donations of your time -- as well as your money."

Fountain also concluded his remarks with encouraging thoughts about the future.

"The world of work is more competitive than ever. But there is also a new world of opportunity awaiting those who are well-prepared -- and have the right attitude to succeed," Fountain said.

"Remember, however, that you are the only person who can create those opportunities for yourself."

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