Accomplished leaders focus on UM-Dearborn's future

UM-Dearborn grads are leaders and best.

Alumnus Brett Bilbrey, ‘82 B.S.E.E.E., worked for Steve Jobs and led Apple's Technology Advancement Group. Among his projects? Apple TV and the original Mac Mini.

Alumna Judy Toland, ‘01 M.B.A., is responsible for developing and leading global vision and strategy for Meta (formerly Facebook) to drive audience engagement, advance brand recognition and more.

And Henry Maier, ‘86 B.A., recently retired from FedEx Ground, where he served as president and CEO for nearly a decade.

These leaders, along with 10 others, are helping their alma mater explore what’s next through their work with campus’ National Advisory Council (NAC).

The NAC comprises leaders from different sectors of business, industry and nonprofits who advise Chancellor Domenico Grasso on all matters bearing on the effectiveness — such as accessibility, energy sustainability and academic excellence — of UM-Dearborn. Grasso formed the council in 2020.

Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement Casandra Ulbrich said a national-level advisory group is a best practice in outreach that will help expand UM-Dearborn’s presence, network and expertise. Some recent topics included in NAC conversations include planning a capital campaign and creating student success initiatives to complement current offerings like the Go Blue Guarantee and Dearborn Comeback. 

“We have folks all over the country, as far away as Seattle and LA and as local as Northville. There’s a good cross section of thoughts, experiences and backgrounds to help shape UM-Dearborn’s priorities,” Ulbrich said. “The membership is made up of thought leaders. To grow and be as great as we can be, it’s important to get multiple, diverse voices involved.”

College of Business (COB) alumnus and NAC member Jim Lico says UM-Dearborn made a lasting impression on him. Today, Lico runs Fortive Corp., a Fortune 500 industry technology company. 

To help the next generation of Dearborn Wolverines, Lico gives time, treasure and talent. In addition to serving on the NAC, he and his wife Maureen established the Donald Thomas Lico Endowed Scholarship in memory of his father to help COB students with financial need.

“There are a lot of aspects about UM-Dearborn that make it special,” said Lico, ‘88 B.S.A. “(Donald) Ross Cowan, who ran the Operations Management program, was one of those. I had someone with a great mind and who’s a wonderful listener guide me.”

Professor Emeritus D. Ross Cowan, who taught on campus from 1959 to 1996, was technologically ahead of his time — he was the first to incorporate computer use in the business curriculum. Cowan wanted to give back; there’s an endowed professorship in his name. And he focused on moving UM-Dearborn forward by serving on the first executive committee after the campus became a university in 1971.

“I was very fortunate to find UM-Dearborn and have such an influential professor like Ross Cowan. It’s not lost on me on how lucky I am,” he said. “I want to find ways to have a role in UM-Dearborn’s mission to raise people up and play a part in connecting students with opportunities that will help them succeed now and into the future. The NAC is one way that I can do this.”

For more information on the NAC, visit the webpage or contact Ulbrich.

Article by Sarah Tuxbury.