February 20, 2001 Gary J. Witosky '79, speaker President & CEO, Colfor Manufacturing, Inc., Malvern, OH "Gary Witosky said that we need to learn how to communicate effectively. Make sure to say what you mean whether you are writing or speaking,"senior accounting and business administration major Erica Ebert reported from the Business Honors Seminar on February 20, 2001. Mr. Witosky's effective communication skills have taken him far in the business world. A 1979 Thiel business administration and accounting graduate, his finance background includes 20 years of experience in both public accounting and private industry. In 1999, Witosky was named President & Chief Operating Officer of Colfor Manufacturing, Inc., a subsidiary of American Axle & Manufacturing. Colfor is a manufacturer of precision forged and machined components supplied primarily to the automotive industry. "At Colfor Manufacturing, Mr. Witosky oversees the making of axles for mainly SUVs. His forging section makes around 500,000 parts a day!" - Sean DeMauri, senior accounting & business administration major "Attending dinner with Gary Witosky I really gained a lot of knowledge on how many of American Axle's products go to General Motors. I was very impressed with Gary's knowledge of his industry. He had an answer for every question we asked him." - Andy Brown, junior accounting & business administration major "Mr. Witosky shared his management style with us, and I feel as though they are valuable lessons to consider if a manager. They include: manage people differently based on their needs, strengths, and weaknesses; stay out of your subordinate's way and let them do their job, but still supervise them when needed; listen to your employees; be loyal; maintain a sense of balance and focus; and always have a sense of humor." - Kristin Fulton, senior business communication and business administration major "Mr. Witosky looked back on his past career and emphasized hard work -- opportunities and luck are given by efforts." - Inhye Lee, junior business administration major