Johnson Controls Executives Honored as Top Female Leaders in Automotive Industry
11 September 2000
Johnson Controls Executives Honored as Top Female Leaders in Automotive Industry
Automotive News program recognizes
100 leading women in North America
PLYMOUTH, Mich., Sept. 11 Johnson Controls
executives Linda Chamberlain and Joanne Cole were recognized on Automotive
News' list of 100 leading women in the North American auto industry, which was
announced today.
A special September 11 edition of the publication will include the
complete list and profiles of 100 leading women in the auto industry,
including Chamberlain and Cole. The winners also will be honored at a banquet
with auto industry officials on Tuesday, September 19 at the Ritz-Carlton
Hotel in Dearborn, Michigan.
After receiving several hundred nominations from its readers, a six-person
selection committee, including people inside and outside of the automotive
industry, narrowed the list of women to 100 people.
"We are very proud that Linda and Joanne are being recognized for their
hard work and strong leadership abilities," said Rande Somma, president of
North America for the company's Automotive Systems Group. "This is truly a
prestigious honor for them, and we thank them both for their contributions to
the success of Johnson Controls."
Chamberlain currently serves as executive director of new product and
business development for Johnson Controls. She is responsible for leading
development of new products, and also manages the new product development
process. Chamberlain has held this position since 1998, and is based in
Holland, Michigan.
In 1997, Chamberlain joined Johnson Controls as director of advanced
materials and processes. She earned a bachelor of science degree in chemistry
and a doctorate of chemistry from Purdue University. Prior to Johnson
Controls, Chamberlain had worked in chemical industry. She has earned 19
patents for work in catalyst, polymer, and product development.
Cole is director of engineering for soft trim systems, comfort and
advanced development at Johnson Controls. She coordinates engineering for
advanced soft trim systems and comfort. Cole has been in her current position
for two years, and works in the company's Plymouth, Michigan technical center.
She joined Johnson Controls in 1988 and over the years has served in
various management positions in the company's DaimlerChrysler Business Unit
and former Body Systems Division. Cole earned a bachelor's degree in
mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a
master's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan. She
has earned two U.S. patents for her engineering work. Cole resides in Ann
Arbor, Michigan.
The recognition of the most powerful women in the North American
automotive industry is a tribute to Gertrude Crain, the late chairman and
chief executive officer of Crain Communications. The company publishes the
Automotive News.
The Plymouth, Michigan-based automotive business of Johnson Controls --
which employs more than 65,000 people at 275 facilities worldwide -- achieved
US$12.1 billion in sales for the 1999 fiscal year. In model-year 2000, it will
supply interior products for more than 23 million vehicles.
Johnson Controls, Inc. is a global market leader in automotive systems and
facility management and control. In the automotive market, it is a major
supplier of seating and interior systems, and batteries. For non-residential
facilities, Johnson Controls provides building control systems and services,
energy management and integrated facility management. Johnson Controls
, founded in 1885, has headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its
sales for 1999 totaled US$16.1 billion.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Photos of Linda Chamberlain and Joanne Cole can be
obtained by calling Debra Lacey of Johnson Controls at 734-254-5735. For
access to other Johnson Controls news releases and additional company
information, visit the company's site on the World Wide Web at
http://www.johnsoncontrols.com .
CONTACT: David Roznowski of Johnson Controls, Inc., 734-254-5632.
Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/473547.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 473547.