One reason to feel optimistic about the future of Chrysler is the many talented people who work here, who love the auto industry and believe in what they are doing.
One of those people is Olabisi (Bisi) Boyle, Director - Powertrain Product Engineering - Program Management.
Boyle was honored with the 2009 Black Engineer of the Year President's Award on Feb. 21 by U.S. Black Engineer & Information Technology magazine. The award recognizes engineers who have achieved exceptional career gains in government and industry, in lifetime achievement and in pioneering feats.
Born in New York City, Boyle spent part of her childhood in Lagos, Nigeria. Her father, who is from Lagos, was an engineer with IBM and sparked her interest in math and science. After her parents divorced, she moved with her mother to the United States. It was in New York, as a young teenager, that she was a victim of a gunshot wound during an armed robbery. While the event traumatized her, it also taught her that even the most difficult times will pass.
A graduate of Columbia University, she first started working in the auto industry with Ford before joining Chrysler in May 2004. She admits that some of her East Coast friends question why she would want to work in the auto industry, and live in Michigan, but she says she loves the spirit of teamwork and loyalty at Chrysler. Before joining the Powertrain team, Boyle worked in Product Feature Strategy on features such as Passive Entry/Keyless Go, LED Lighting, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Rear Vision systems and on the Body-on Frame Truck Product Team.
We had the chance to talk to Boyle about the award and what she's working on at Chrysler.
Question - Congratulations, what an honor. Can you tell us a little bit about the big night?
Answer - There were about 2,500 people at the event in Baltimore, Maryland at the Awards presentation. Bob Lee, the Vice President of Powertrain, presented my award. I got the opportunity to say a few words. I appreciated the chance to share some thoughts with the high school and college students in the audience.
Q - What did you say?
A - I thanked the people who helped me - my family and Chrysler (for the opportunity). I then had the chance to impart a few thoughts I have learned over time. One of the learnings I shared was about how hard work, perseverance, love and support can and will overcome anything. That as individuals, we should commit to whatever it is we do with high intention and the most sincere effort. I shared that positivity isn't a feeling, it's an action, so BE positive. What people see when they see you is your brand, so at all times - REPRESENT. And in THIS year when we celebrate our first African-American president (Barack Obama), we have to know that anything is possible. In fact, everything is possible. It is your choices that make what is possible, probable. Indeed, it makes what is probable, inevitable. So, choose wisely.
Q - You raise a parallel between the U.S. being in recession and the difficulties facing Chrysler.
A - I'm not unrealistic. I see the issues in front of us. But, I believe we have exceptionally smart and talented people still in this company. If we focus on the right things, we can make our recovery happen. But we have to make sure that we don't get side-tracked by all the negativity that might be surrounding us. If we can stay focused and support our senior leadership's viability plan efforts and engage our knowledge, energy, and time, we can ride out this recession. Our leadership is sincerely making a genuine effort. We should support the cause wholeheartedly.
Q - You moved to the United States when you were young and you were shot as a young teenager. Where does all your optimism and strength come from?
A - I was shot during a robbery at a shoe store in New York, which was owned by a friend of my mother's. I would run errands for the store in the summer. That summer, the store was robbed at gun point. I was shot in the shoulder and both hands. After this event, I became fearful of everyday things, simple things like sitting in the car, waiting for my mother on errands, alone, while double parked in the car. As time passed, I overcame those everyday fears and learned through hard work, perseverance, and a mother's love and support that 'these things too shall pass'. As I got older, went on to college, graduated, and lived life's experiences, I learned that not only do these things pass, but you can move on and thrive.
Q - How did you arrive at Chrysler?
A - After undergrad, I worked at GTE, went back to Columbia for a Masters in mechanical engineering, then to IBM. At IBM, most work was primarily software related. I wanted to get a position that was more hands-on. I moved from IBM to Ford. I got hands-on process engineering experience in the manufacturing plants. I worked in the Body Shop, in Final Assembly, and Quality. You get to work with the robotic welding machines, automated body assembly equipment, you witness the vehicles immersed in e-coat, robotically spray painted, assembled, tested, verified, and get to deliver quality vehicles everyday as a result of your hands-on efforts. This was my move into the auto industry. That's how I got involved in the car business. I worked at Ford for 8 years and then an opportunity arose with Chrysler.
Q - What are you looking forward to in the future at
Chrysler?
A - I am looking forward to the potential alliance with Fiat. There are great opportunities for knowledge exchange. We can benefit from their existing powertrain technology. There is little geographic overlap with our products, and we can contribute to their team with NAFTA regulatory expertise and our new Phoenix engine family. It is a very compatible union.
Q - Many people had the chance to exit Chrysler, and
you elected to stay…
A - What I really enjoy about Chrysler is the teamwork. Teamwork at Chrysler is genuine. Teams consense around an issue, work diligently to solve it, and commit with high intention and sincere effort until it is resolved. The team is focused on the task and the work it will take to perform. I have a lot of fun here.
With regards to staying with Chrysler, while I understand we are going through a real trough, I do not think it is because of the team. The current circumstances with the economy have contributed to a precipitous fall. If we get the chance to bridge this trough, our bright people, the pent-up demand, because the SAAR (seasonally-adjusted annual sales) rate may be unnaturally low, could position us for a significant turnaround.
Q - What vehicles do you own?
A - I own a green Jeep Commander. I like the styling. The four-wheel drive and ESC is great for winter-driving in Michigan. In my Commander, I make great use of all the interior features; UConnect, satellite radio, large hard drive for all my MP3's, pictures of my family on the NAV screen, and heated seats. And from a warm and toasty position in my SUV, I can handle whatever the Michigan winter throws at me safely. Bring it on, 'cause I'm in a Commander!
