Washington To Host Auto Event With Detroit Leaders
WASHINGTON, D.C.(CBS Detroit) - It'll be an all-out Michigan celebration Wednesday when UAW leaders and the president of Macomb Community College meet with President Barack Obama at the White House to celebrate Michigan's success.
What's the celebration about? The White House said in a statement, it's about "historic fuel efficiency standards that will nearly double the fuel efficiency of cars and light duty trucks by 2025, save consumers $1.7 trillion at the pump, and encourage innovation and investment in technologies that increase our economic competitiveness and reduce our dependence on foreign oil."
And anyone can watch the event live at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday HERE.
Michigan representatives participating in the event include:
Cindy Estrada, Vice President of United Auto Workers in Detroit, Michigan
Cindy is a longtime union organizer and social activist, and the first Latina elected to serve as a UAW vice president. She developed a passion for the labor movement while growing up listening to stories from her grandparents and other relatives recounting working in the fields as farm workers and factory workers. A member of UAW Local 174 in Romulus, Mich., since 1995, Cindy previously served as director of the union's National Organizing Department. Cindy is an active member of the Coalition of Labor Union Women and the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement. The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) is one of the largest and most diverse unions in North America, with members in virtually every sector of the economy, representing workplaces ranging from multinational corporations, small manufacturers and state and local governments to colleges and universities, hospitals and private non-profit organizations.
Vince De Zorzi, Senior Vice President Global Manufacturing Operations, Driveline Business Unit and Chief Quality Officer for Nexteer Automotive in Saginaw, Michigan
Vince began his career with General Motors of Canada as an hourly rated employee at the Scarborough Van Assembly Plant in 1978. Prior to his current position, he was Vice President of Operations for Delphi Steering. Nexteer Automotive is a multi-billion dollar global steering and driveline business solely dedicated to electric and hydraulic steering systems, steering columns and driveline products for original equipment manufacturers. Nexteer Automotive's customers include GM, Fiat, Ford, Toyota, Chrysler and PSA Peugeot Citroen, as well as automakers in India, China, and South America.
Dr. Jim Jacobs, President of Macomb Community College in Warren, Michigan
Jim is an expert on workforce development and community colleges. He specializes in occupational change and technology, suburban economic development, occupational education, retraining displaced workers and conducting needs assessments for occupational programs. Jim has transformed Macomb Community College into a hub for training in electric and hybrid fuel-cell technology where students are encouraged to pursue fields with a diverse set of high quality jobs, including advanced manufacturing, automated systems, and graphic design. Macomb nationally ranks in the top two percent in the number of associate degrees awarded and as the largest grantor of associate degrees in Michigan.
