SOUTHFIELD, Mich., June 23, 2009 – William (Bill) Russo, Director Vehicle Operations Manufacturing, Ford Motor Company, became The Engineering Society of Detroit’s (ESD) 108th president effective July 1. He replaces Richard J. Haller, President and COO of Walbridge, whose two-year term ended on June 30, 2009.
Russo has been a part of ESD since 2002. He has served in various capacities, holding positions on the Board of Directors, Young Engineers Council, Nominating Committee and Strategic Planning Committee among others.
The road ahead for Russo won’t be easy, commented ESD’s Past-President Haller. “I must remind Bill of our friendship, because only a friend would present a friend with the challenges we face in the coming years.”
As a non-profit organization, ESD is facing many challenges. Russo has the experience to help stir the organization through the tough times ahead.“It is my vision that ESD be bold in these tumultuous times,” said Russo. “We can provide a leadership role in re-training the technical resources of Southeast Michigan to meet future opportunities and needs in the state.” Russo also finds ESD capable of providing a vision and implementation blueprint that can make Michigan highly competitive especially with the efforts of the newly created ESD Institute. Russo feels that ESD can create unification between industry and academia to help Michigan adapt to changing needs and opportunities.
At Ford Motor Company, Russo’s role is to oversee manufacturing engineering operations for paint, body, final, facilities, and product and process capabilities. His passion is to create products that are designed to be manufactured flawlessly. He has a great deal of knowledge and experience to share on the subject, and enjoys mentoring engineers and leaders. “I gain great personal satisfaction from mentoring and the satisfaction from seeing mentees mature into successful leaders, regardless of their age,” said Russo.
Russo earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering from Lawrence Technological University and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Detroit.
Founded in 1895, ESD is a multi-disciplinary society uniting engineering, scientific and allied professions to enhance professional development and foster excitement in math and science to produce our next generation of leaders. Serving this generation of engineers and fostering the next. For more information, visit www.esd.org.
