Education: Bachelor's, industrial engineering, General Motors Institute; M.S., manufacturing management, GMI Engineering & Management Institute

First automotive job: Cooperative Student, Chevrolet and Central Foundry Saginaw Grey Iron Plant, General Motors, 1979

Proudest achievement: "Where I am today in my career. I'm responsible for the Technical Center, which requires balancing people and resources."

On being successful: "Self-discipline and hard work pay off. Equally important is a positive attitude and being committed to producing excellent results."

On being a woman in the industry: "Over the past 20 years, women are being acknowledged for their contribution in the auto industry, as evident by this award. We are seeing ourselves in higher positions and being recognized. Today, women are like quality - it's now a given."

Career highlights:

Hayes Lemmerz acquired CMI International Inc. in 1999. Positons at CMI-Tech Center Inc., Ferndale, Mich., include:

• 1994-99 VP
• 1991-94 Director, Advance Planning and Administration
• 1988-91 Manager, Product Planning

Positions at Central Foundry Division, General Motors, include:

• 1988 Coordinator, Lost Foam Iron Development
• 1985-86 Process Engineer, Modernization Project
• 1984-85 Industrial Engineer