John Elder, vice president of manufacturing for Hitachi Metal Automotive Components, will give a presentation titled, “Supplying the Automotive Industry,” at 7 p.m. today in Robertson Auditorium, Lumpkin Hall Room 2030.

“From what I understand, (Elder) will be talking about the recent crisis in the automotive industry and how it is impacting his company and others in the field,” said Marko Grünhagen, professor of marketing and School of Business chair.

Elder’s visit is the most recent event scheduled as part of the Executive-in-Residence Program, which was developed as an effort to provide business students with real world insights and experiences.

“This Executive-in-Residence Program, as far as I know, is a program that the school has had now for a number of years,” Grünhagen said. “Our goal is to bring our students into contact with a number of people, EIU alumni in many cases, who have made a name for themselves and who are now leaders in their particular industry.”

Before pursing a career with HMAC, a major supplier for the North American automotive industry based out of Effingham, Elder was a student at Eastern’s School of Technology.

Elder graduated in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology and in 1995 with a master’s degree in technology.

He was deployed as a Naval reservist Supply Corps. officer to the Middle East with the Navy Expeditionary Logistics support Group in March 2008.

Other members of the faculty at the School of Business agree that the Executive-in-Residence Program is beneficial educational tool.

Cheryl Noll, a professor of business and School of Business chair, said she thinks the program helps students gain an additional experience from learning in the classroom.

“A lot of times the stories that come out of a real workplace situation are a little different than what you would read in a textbook,” Noll said. “So, I think having an Executive-in-Residence enhances the learning experience.”

Jason Hardimon can be reached at 581-7492 or at [email protected].