Gentex Promotes Guarr to Director of Chemical Research
1 December 1997
Gentex Promotes Guarr to Director of Chemical Research
ZEELAND, Mich., Dec. 1 -- Gentex Corporation
today announced the appointment of Thomas F. Guarr, Ph.D., to Director of
Chemical Research.
Dr. Guarr joined the Company as Assistant Director of Research in
Chemistry in 1994. He completed his undergraduate studies at Benedictine
College (Atchison, Kansas) and his masters and doctoral studies at the
University of Rochester (New York). He performed his post-doctoral work for
two years in electrochemistry at the California Institute of Technology. He
was an assistant professor and associate professor of chemistry for eight
years at the University of Kentucky.
"We are pleased to promote Tom to this important position in the Company,"
said Gentex Executive Vice President Kenneth La Grand. "And, we're confident
that Tom and his staff of 15 research chemists, including four other Ph.D.s,
will continue our program of electrochromic product excellence as well as our
research towards new products for other markets."
Dr. Guarr has co-authored approximately 40 publications in professional
journals and has presented 35 papers at regional, national and international
scientific meetings. He is a member of the American Chemical Society (ACS),
the Electrochemical Society and the American Association of Advancement of
Science (AAAS). He is 1999 chair-elect of the West Michigan section of the
American Chemical Society. He resides in Holland with his wife and three
children.
Dr. Guarr replaces Harlan Byker, Ph.D., who recently left the Company to
pursue other interests.
Gentex Corporation is an international company that provides high-quality
products to the worldwide automotive industry and North American fire
protection market. The Company develops, manufactures and markets proprietary
electro-optic products, including interior and exterior electrochromic,
automatic-dimming Night Vision Safety(TM) (NVS(R)) automotive rearview mirrors
that dim in proportion to the amount of headlight glare from trailing vehicle
headlamps, and an extensive line of fire protection products for commercial
applications.
Gentex was the first company in the world to successfully develop and
produce a commercial electrochromic mirror for the motor vehicle industry.
The Company is the leading supplier of these mirrors to the worldwide
automotive industry. Gentex customers include Audi, Bentley, BMW, Chrysler,
Daewoo, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Gulf States Toyota, Honda, Hyundai,
Infiniti, Kia Motors, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Porsche,
Rolls Royce and Southeast Toyota Distributors.
Founded in 1974, Gentex operates out of three facilities in Zeeland,
Michigan; an automotive sales and marketing office in Livonia, Michigan; an
automotive sales and engineering subsidiary in Germany; and five regional U.S.
sales offices for the Fire Protection Products Group. The Company is
recognized for its quality products, its application of world class
manufacturing principles, for its commitment to developing and maintaining a
highly skilled workforce, and for encouraging employee ownership of the
Company's stock.
SOURCE Gentex Corporation