Name: Barb Samardzich Title: Vice President, Powertrain Engineering Company: Ford Motor Company Presentation: Coming Soon
Barb Samardzich is responsible for engine and transmission engineering worldwide. Prior to her current assignment, she was vice president, Powertrain Operations. Before this assignment, she was executive director, Small FWD and RWD Vehicles, where she was responsible for the design, engineering and development of nine key Ford, Mercury and Lincoln vehicles, including the 2005 Mustang.
Ms. Samardzich also previously held a variety of positions in Powertrain engineering, including chief engineer for Ford’s Automatic Transmission Operations. Her work in automatic transmissions and her experience in product creation won her the Women in Engineering Achievement Award from Design News in 2004.
During her career at Ford, Ms. Samardzich also served as chief engineer for the F-Series Super Duty Commercial Trucks, and as quality director for Ford Brand products in Ford of Europe.
Before joining Ford in 1990, Ms. Samardzich worked as a thermal design engineer in Westinghouse Electric’s Nuclear Fuels Division.
A multi-award winner, Ms. Samardzich was most recently named an Automotive News All-Star for 2009. Other past honors include acknowledgement as one of the Most Influential Women by Crain’s Detroit Business in 2007; winning the Distinguished Women Award from Northwood University in 2006; and being named a Leading Woman in the North American Automotive Industry by Automotive News in 2005. She also sits on the boards of several universities and non-profit organizations.
Ms. Samardzich holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Florida, a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University, and a master’s degree in engineering management from Wayne State University.
The family friendly Partners Program is available for all attendee families. In addition, the Resort and surrounding Traverse City area have numerous opportunities for family fun. Contact the Traverse City Convention Bureau at www.visittraversecity.com or (800) 872-8377.
The seminars are designed to foster a casual atmosphere for the informal exchange of ideas. Business casual is appropriate. Others wear more casual polo shirts and slacks.
These are informal events. Attire will vary from sport coats to polo shirts and slacks (for men) and from summer dresses and skirts to pants and shirts (for women).
The first thing to do would be to find a colleague interested in replacing you. If your colleagues are already registered or unable to attend, please inform us in writing that you must cancel. To be eligible for a full refund of fees, notification of cancellation must be received in our office in writing by May 14, 2011. After this date, to be eligible for a refund of fees less the handling charge of $150.00 we must receive your request in writing before July 19, 2011. We regret that we cannot accept requests for refunds after that date.
The registration desk is located in the Governors Prefunction area. We recommend that you pick up your name badge and conference materials at early registration on Sunday, from 5-7 p.m. or on Tuesday from 3:30-7 p.m. The registration desk is also open during the conference sessions. A name badge is required to gain admittance to the sessions. Please note: badges will be distributed the day before or morning of the first day of your registration so you may attend the social hours included in your registration.
