News for alumni & friends
July 2020
It's crunch time for Tauber teams. Students are entering the final weeks of their Tauber team projects and are transitioning to preparing results not only for their sponsors, but also for presentations to the entire Tauber Institute community at the annual SPOTLIGHT! Team Project Showcase and Scholarship Competition.

I am also in the midst of transition. I am passing the Tauber Institute Business School Co-Director baton to my colleague Hyun-Soo Ahn, as I assume the duties of Faculty Area Chair of Technology and Operations at Michigan Ross. Many of you already know Hyun-Soo through his exceptional scholarship, inspiring teaching, and his expert advising of Tauber team projects over the past two decades. Please join me in welcoming Hyun-Soo to his new role in the Tauber leadership team!

Former Business School Co-director, Tauber Institute for Global Operations
Faculty Area Chair, Technology and Operations, Michigan Ross School of Business
Welcome Tauber Institute Business Co-director Hyun-Soo Ahn
The Tauber Institute is pleased to announce Technology and Operations Professor Hyun-Soo Ahn is joining the Tauber leadership team as our Business School Co-Director. Honored with multiple teaching and research awards during his tenure at Michigan Ross, Hyun-Soo has advised students on dozens of Tauber team projects. His research focuses on developing mathematical models related to supply chain management, dynamic pricing and revenue management, workforce agility, and resource allocation.
Save the date for the 2020 SPOTLIGHT! Team Project Competition
The Tauber Institute is excited to welcome viewers from all over the globe to the virtual 2020 SPOTLIGHT! Team Project Showcase and Competition. Join us online to hear first-hand about the outstanding work of our student teams. The competition will be held on Friday, September 18, with virtual networking events for students, sponsors, and judges scheduled throughout the following week.
No travel required!
Nominate judges for virtual SPOTLIGHT!

The 2020 SPOTLIGHT! showcase presents an excellent opportunity for leaders in your company to help judge the competition from the comfort of their own offices. Also new this year: judges can join networking events with graduating Tauber students, since networking will be held after the competition concludes. There are limited judge positions, so submit your nominations soon!
Become an exceptional virtual presenter
Author and presentation coach Timothy J. Koegel returned to the Tauber Institute - virtually - to help students prepare for their 2020 SPOTLIGHT! presentations. Tim has updated his books and training sessions to provide leaders with the tools needed to create captivating presentations for zoom and other online platforms. Even more than for in-person events, Tim stressed, "Keep it relevant. Keep it engaging. Keep it moving."
Thank you for supporting students during challenging times
Thanks to the generosity of the Tauber community, the Tauber Institute was able to supplement sponsor salaries to provide all students on team projects with at least thirteen weeks (out of fourteen total) of full compensation this summer. Many thanks to all who were able to contribute to the COVID-19 student stipend fund, and to all our alumni and friends for supporting Tauber Institute programs and scholarships throughout the year.
" As the supply chain manager in a start-up environment, I have to create from scratch many things that I might have taken for granted at a more well-established firm, but I really love the challenge. "

Tauber alumnus Alison Levy (MBA '17) is Program Manager for an early-stage energy technology company in the Bay Area. Alison leveraged her Tauber experience to prepare for her career in cleantech.
"I quickly became a strong advocate for the institute because I saw the talent it had created within The Boeing Company by providing a large alumni group of Operations, Supply Chain, and Engineering leaders."

Prior to his recent retirement, Ed Petkus was Boeing Commercial Airlines Vice President, Engineering Airplane Development, and President of the Tauber Industry Advisory Board. Ed has generously shared his wealth of expertise in the aerospace industry, and repeatedly demonstrated his dedication to the mission of the Tauber Institute.
Students create tech solutions for COVID-19
In addition to advising the 2020 Brose Track Assembly team project this summer, Professor David Chesney worked with students in his Michigan Engineering course "Software against COVID-19" to create new tech to solve everyday problems posed by the pandemic.
"The evolution and growth that I sense in [my students] give me more satisfaction than anything else. The opportunity to work on projects that are interesting and the sense of renewal that occurs semester by semester and as students graduate and move on keep me fresh."

Tauber team project faculty advisor Brian Love (pictured here at the 2020 Team Project Kickoff Dinner) is Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Materials Sciences, and Dentistry. Brian's extensive publications include a Biomaterials textbook, Corked: Tales of Advantage in Competitive Sports , and a recent article discussing COVID-19's disruption of the U.S. recycling industry. Brian writes, "Waste sources, quantities and destinations are all in flux, and shutdowns have devastated an industry that was already struggling."
Join Tauber alumni online
Join fellow alumni by introducing yourself to the online Tauber Institute Alumni Community. Share operations insights and forge meaningful connections with Tauber alumni around the globe.
Explore the Tauber alumni job board
Looking for a great new hire - or looking for your next career move? The Tauber alumni job board is the perfect place to post or peruse.
Some recent job posts:
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Show your Michigan spirit on your next video conference call

Be camera-ready in maize and blue!
University of Michigan COVID-19 resources
Empower the people in your organization
Bring out the best in your coworkers and take better care of yourself. Our colleagues at the Center for Positive Organizations present strategies to help you continue to thrive during trying times.
Lead and inspire your virtual team
Our colleagues at the Sanger Leadership Center host webinars and curate articles that can help you lead with confidence during the pandemic.