BOB HEGBLOOM Ferris State Commencement Ewigleben Sports Complex May 7, 2016 Draft of

Transcription

1 BOB HEGBLOOM Ferris State Commencement Ewigleben Sports Complex May 7, 2016 Draft of [President David Eisler introduces Bob Hegbloom and presents honorary doctorate to him] First of all, I would like to express my appreciation to President Eisler and the entire Board of Trustees for the recognition and this Honorary Doctorate Degree. On behalf of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the Ram brand, I m pleased to extend wholehearted congratulations to each of you receiving diplomas today. I also want to recognize all of those who provided support in helping you get to this point. It would be impossible to overstate the importance of having support all during your life s journey. There are many people who have given me support along the way, starting with my wonderful family and friends. And a special Thank you to my wife Michelle, daughter Taylor, and son Garrett: I just want to say I am so grateful that you are here today! [Pause] Members of the Class of 2016, we are here to celebrate an important milestone in your lives. Each of you worked hard to earn your degree, and you can be proud of your achievement. 1

2 Your education has given you the power to meet the challenges you will encounter in the years ahead. Your time here has helped develop the discipline and critical thinking skills needed to succeed in a world that is constantly changing. Thirty years ago, I was in your position, attending a Ferris State commencement getting my degree. I know you have a lot of thoughts running through your head, and with that in mind my remarks will be simple and brief. My message comes down to three words: Guts. Glory. Ram. Today I want to offer some insight that I have gained about the need for guts, the nature of glory, and the joy that comes from working with a great team of people! I have loved automobiles since I was very young, I grew up working alongside my father, whose passion was restoring old cars, and I learned from him the importance of giving back to the community. He was always happy to help others who shared his passion. After earning my degree in Automotive Management, I briefly worked at a car dealership before one of my professors, Newell Johnson, called and said Chrysler was hiring and I would be a great candidate. I was hired and moved to Washington DC to start my career, I showed up the first day at Chrysler and I had no idea what I was doing, but used my experience from Ferris to be successful. 2

3 That was the beginning of a path that has taken me through many different jobs within the company, where recently I was the President and CEO of the Ram Brand and am now challenged with the great opportunity to establish Ram as a global brand. Over the course of my career, I have found that the opportunities are endless, if you pursue your goals with passion. Guts is basically the courage and determination to take on the challenge. Opening yourself up to new experiences, new people, and new ideas is the only sure road to personal growth. When it comes to glory, your first thought might be, it is something that involves wealth, or power. The kind of glory I am talking about is actually something more personal. To me, it is the feeling that you get when you know you have done everything to become the best you are capable of being. When I was at Ferris, I learned to juggle a schedule that included class work, varsity athletics as well as work. I learned to manage my time, and I learned the need to deliver results, And I came to realize that glory is really the self-satisfaction in knowing you gave your all for something worthwhile. Guts and Glory are what I love about being part of the Ram team. 3

4 In 2009 Chrysler was at the lowest point possible. Our very existence was in question. At that very time, the Ram team was putting in place the plans for a new pickup truck. We didn t know what was going to happen to the company, but we realized we had two options. One choice was to roll over and give up. The other was to buckle down, and put together the best truck that we could. And that s what we did, day in and day out despite the odds that were against us. The truck that we developed became the first ever vehicle to win Motor Trend s Truck of the Year two straight years. The awards were great, but I believe that the real glory was in the way the Ram team refused to give up when our backs were against the wall! I am proud to work with FCA, a company that has a culture of looking beyond our office walls to contribute to the greater community. When a devastating tornado struck Missouri in 2012, many Ram owners showed up to help in the recovery. This gave us the idea for Ram Nation, in which our customers, dealers and Ram team members lend a hand in disaster relief and community service. For the people in Ram Nation, the real glory is the pride of accomplishment through hard work and knowing that others can rely on them when help is needed. 4

5 We firmly believe that our success must be measured not only by the bottom line, but also by the impact our activities have on society as a whole. [Pause] In conclusion, I just want to emphasize that if you work hard and love what you do, the world is full of opportunities. In the end, it s all about the legacy you leave behind. So when you advance in your career, be sure to pay it forward. Lend your skills and talents to making a difference in creating a better community, a better world for those who come after you. And always keep in mind No guts, no glory. Congratulations again, and thank you very much. 5