John Podlaski

Currently work for a company called VCST, Inc since 2005 as the Sales and Logistics Mgr for NAFTA. My company is headquartered in Belgium with factories there, in Germany and Mexico. We make gears and shafts for engines and transmissions to customers around the globe. We had two manufacturing factories here in MI that were closed in 2007. Our liaison office is located in Sterling Heights, MI near Lakeside Mall. I went back to school in 2004 and managed to get my BS degree in Business Administration through Kennedy-Western University. I belong to the local chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America, but haven't been as active as I used to be with this group. It is the largest in the country. Since graduating in '69, I've worked at TRW for 20 years and then with four other companies since - the longest being 10 years with a company called Pilot Ind. During the years, I have become an "expert" in opening / closing factories; closing three due to bankruptcy and relocation to other countries, and opening two new factories that are still in operation. Good or bad, my entire career has been in automotive. Janice and I have been married for 36 years. She graduated from St. Raymond grade school and then Osborn High. She currently works at Kroger as a casahier and is looking to retire in 4 yearrs. Our only daughter, Nicole got married to Chris Patrick April 24, 2009. Wrote book - "Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel" which was published and is listed on Amazon.com as of June 16,2010