Automotive supplier leadership academy

PLEASE NOTE: The next session of ASLA has been postponed
to a date to be determined.

Please view this short video for an overview
of ASLA. Class size is limited to 40 students, so please register now. Don't miss this opportunity to advance your career.

Vision
The Automotive Supplier Leadership Academy* - ASLA is an exciting educational program for current and aspiring industry leaders. Attendees will gain a firm grasp on eight core competencies required to lead in automotive.

Photo from the
ASLA Inaugural Class,
April 4-6, 2016.

Faculty
Faculty members include current and former top executives from Nissan, GM, Ford, ZF, BorgWarner, IMPACT Group, Management Methods, TMSforce, Data Interchange, Surgere, and more; Top officers and leaders from AAMA, GAMA, MAMA, and TAMA; and well-known accounting, financial, marketing, and legal experts. - see the "About" section on this website for more info.

Tuition
$1,750.00 - Includes lunches on May 15th and 16th, a special leadership dinner on May 16th, special behind-the-scenes tour of the world-renowned LEGO LAB at the Auburn University, group photo, digital badges following completion, and all course materials.
$1,450.00 - We are pleased to announce a reduced tuition rate for members of AAMA, GAMA, MAMA, SAWF, SCAC and TAMA.

Hotel Information
A special reduced-rate block of rooms has been reserved from Sunday, May 14th until Thursday May 18th at the Hilton Garden Inn Auburn (2555 Hilton Garden Drive, Auburn, AL 36830) under the group code: ASLA. Call 334-502-3500 to make your room reservations today.

*Automotive Supplier Leadership Academy, ASLA, the ASLA Logo Design, and Supplier Wheel of Success are all trademarks owned by Richard A. Walker. Unauthorized use of any intellectual property associated in any way with the Automotive Supplier Leadership Academy, including trademarks, course design, and all course and promotional materials, is strictly prohibited. Unauthorized use may result in legal sanctions being brought against the user.

Course Content (subject to continuous improvement)
Key course areas, with a few highlights below, all taught in the context of automotive manufacturing and world-class operational excellence, include:

Manufacturing Operations / Facility Management - You will learn proven techniques to overcome manufacturing and facility challenges unique to the automotive industry
Logistics / Technology - Do you know where your valuable assets in your supply and delivery chains are at all times? Learn about the latest technological tools and how to apply them.
Risk Management / Quality Practices and Management Procedures - How to use risk management to your advantage. Learn the latest strategies.
Leadership / Vision / Business and Personal Development - Do you have what it takes to lead, to drive strategy, to impress your bosses and Board, and to survive political maneuvering?
Human Resources / Workforce Development / Corporate Growth - How do you find, get, and keep the best people. If you don't do this right, you are on the path to serious problems. How do you find capital and the right workforce for growth?
Health, Safety and Environmental Responsibilities - Don't bury your head. You will learn some of the latest trends to help you be safe, sustainable, and profitable.
Legal / Intellectual Property (IP) - How can you be proactive before you learn about a potential recall. Also, is your valuable IP walking out the door every day at 5pm? ... and what you absolutely need to do to protect your company, and to watch out for your personal liabilities at the same time.
Financial Matters / Value - Learn how to be a financial architect, rather than just looking at numbers. Learn critical performance indicators. Learn how to create real value to drive your business in the right direction.

Schedule (subject to continuous improvement)
DAY 1 (Monday, May 15, 2017)
9 - 9:30 a.m.: Registration
9:30 - 10:15 a.m.: Introductions, needs assessment and expectations, course overview, and definitions of key automotive terminology
10:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.: Operations and Facility Management 101: Leading from the Trenches
Seasoned plant managers explain the skills and strategies needed to run a large-scale facility.
- Rick Youngblood, President of TAMA; Plant Manager, Nissan Decherd Engine Plant
- Don "Stogie" Stoegbauer, Executive Director of MAMA; Consultant, Hopkins Services
12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.: Networking Lunch
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.: Can You Speak "Logistics and Supply Chain Management"?
You need to be able to manage the complexities of this area, or you will be left behind.
- David Eyes, Head of Business Development, Data Interchange
- Tim Sensenig, Chairman, TMSforce
- David Zingery, Global Client Solutions, Surgere, Inc.
3:00 - 5:00 p.m.: Raising the Bar: Why You Need to Understand Risk - All Part of Implementing and Enforcing Effective Quality Standards
Acquire the tools necessary to analyze your risks and build a culture of quality around every part of your business - both at your facility and throughout the supply chain.
- Davis Woodruff, President, Management Methods
Evening- Dinner on your own, opportunities for networking
6:00 - 10:00 p.m.: Hospitality Suite at the Hilton Garden Inn

DAY 2 (Tuesday, May 16, 2017)
8:00 - 10:45 a.m.: Investing in your Human Capital, and Protecting your Employees - Some Rules To Live By
Do the right thing by implementing best-in-class safety standards. Learn the rules for managing your human resources. You will reap huge financial benefits with a happy and healthy workforce.
- Bill Principe - Partner, Constangy Brooks (law firm)
- Jonathan Martin, Partner, Constangy Brooks (law firm)
10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.: How to Find and Hire the Best
A human resource expert shares best practices and technologies that equip you to attract, develop, and motivate your ideal workforce.
- Ed Chaffin - President, IMPACT Group
11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Networking Lunch
12:30 -1:30 p.m.: Economic Development Basics - Show Me the Money
Learn how to find capital and other resources for your business. It is out there, you just need to know where and how to look. Workforce development is also critical since none of this works without the right workforce.
- Jeff Lynn - Sr. Executive Director Workforce & Economic Development - Alabama Community College System
1:30 -2:00 p.m.: Bus transport to the LEGO LAB at Auburn University
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.: SPECIAL BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOUR of the internationally renowned LEGO LAB at Auburn University (simulated automotive manufacturing plant) where you will learn lean manufacturing in a fun yet challenging environment.
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.: Elevate Your Legal and IP IQ
Understand the legal and intellectual property challenges unique to the automotive industry. Improve your legal vocabulary to engage in informed conversations about complex issues to help you try to stay out of trouble.
- Rick Walker - President of GAMA; Partner, Clements Bernard Walker (law firm)
5:30 - 6:00 p.m.: Discussion Session with Beverages
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.: - Leadership Dinner with Special Guest Speaker
Cynthia Mills will make you think and may even change the trajectory of your life. She has been credited with doing so for other grateful executives.
- Cynthia Mills, Founder, President & CEO of The Leaders’ Haven
9:00 - 10:00 p.m.++?: Hospitality Suite at the Hilton Garden Inn

DAY 3 (May 17, 2017)
8:00 - 10:00 a.m.: Beyond Bean-Counting: Structuring your Finances for the 21st Century; Learn the Answer to the Question: Why Do We Gather Every Day?
Accurately evaluate your market and net-worth. Become a savvy financial architect who can maximize resources and generate value.
- Mike Blake, Founder, Arpeggio Advisors (finance and valuation)
- TBD, CFO (financial architecture and capital)
9:30 10:30 a.m.: How to Hit the Ground Running
Learn practical tips about applying what you have learned immediately.
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.: Competency review of participants, wrap-ups, lessons learned, presentation of certificates of completion, and dismissal.

Please note that course descriptions and faculty details are subject to change. Also, please note that due to the advance financial commitments we have to make, we are unable to provide refunds or credits. However, substitutions are allowed.