VCOM View Vol 9-1

NEWS &Events

Turfe Joins the VCOM Carolinas Advisery Board A lan Turfe has been chairman and CEO of  J M Smith Corporation since March, 2017. He is only the third chairman and CEO since the company’s incorporation in 1944.

being promoted to Paris, France, as European Finance Director for GM’s Automotive Components Division, and then named CFO of GM Worldwide Purchasing and Logistics. Alan led GM into e-commerce with a joint venture that generated more than $4 billion in shareholder value and resulted in him being appointed co-CEO of the joint venture company. Following a decade with GM, Alan joined Thermo Fisher Scientific as vice president of Merchandising and Marketing, then was named Group vice president of Operations and ultimately was named president of the Anatomical Pathology Group. He then joined IDEX Corporation as president of Micropump Inc.

In all of these roles, Alan oversaw sites in the U.S. and overseas, growing these businesses through strategic acquisitions and new product development. Prior to joining J M Smith Corporation, Alan served as senior vice president and chief procurement officer at Fresenius Medical Care, leveraging global manufacturing and distribution in pharmaceuticals and other medical categories to expand margins and drive incremental profitability. Alan earned both his BS and MBA degrees from the University of Michigan. He and his wife, Lenda, have two adult sons and are active in philanthropy. ■

Alan began his career working his way through college on the assembly line at General Motors (GM). Upon graduating

with an MBA, he became a

A. Alan Turfe

financial analyst for GM, moving up through the ranks, including

Auburn University Officials Join VCOM Boards

with an international reputation in science and technology. Dr. Leath, who is trained as a plant scientist, served at three universities in teaching, research and economic development posts prior to his positions at Iowa State and Auburn.

The former dean of Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business, Hardgrave succeeded the retiring Tim Boosinger as the University’s provost and vice president for academic affairs. As the University’s chief academic officer, Dr. Hardgrave provides leadership to Auburn’s 13 colleges and schools and oversees the University’s academic resources, support units and instructional and research programs. ■

uburn

University

President

Steven Leath, PhD, has joined the VCOM Board of Directors. Dr. Leath became Auburn University’s

Steven Leath, PhD President, Auburn University

Auburn Provost Bill Hardgrave, PhD, is now serving on the VCOM-Auburn Advisery Board.

19th president, succeeding retiring president Jay Gogue. Before coming to Auburn, Dr. Leath served as president of Iowa State University, one of the nation’s top research institutions

Bill Hardgrave, PhD Provost, Auburn University

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