Oakland University Appoints Chief Operating Officer

Rochester, October 29, 2015 (Newswire.com) - Oakland University President George W. Hynd has announced the appointment of Scott G. Kunselman to the newly created position of chief operating officer (COO). 

In this role, Mr. Kunselman, 52, will perform those duties customarily performed by a COO, including coordinating and facilitating leadership of university operations, other than academic affairs, across campus. 

"Scott is joining a superb and talented leadership team as a member of the President's Cabinet. "His sharp, logical mind will be a valued asset to me and all of his new colleagues."

George W. Hynd, President of Oakland University

The establishment of this position represents a further step forward towards reaching the goals set forth in Oakland's strategic plan.

"Scott is joining a superb and talented leadership team as a member of the President's Cabinet," stated President Hynd. "His sharp, logical mind will be a valued asset to me and all of his new colleagues."

"It has been a pleasure to serve Oakland University through my Board of Trustees position," said Kunselman. "I am thrilled to be able to continue my service in an even more direct way as COO and hope that my career experiences thus far will be of benefit to the university's operations and plans.  The potential for OU seems limitless and I am dedicated to support the strategic goals and aspirations as laid out by President Hynd."

Kunselman most recently was Senior Vice President - Vehicle Safety and Regulatory Compliance, FCA - North America, from August 2014 through his retirement.  Previously, he was Senior Vice President – Purchasing and Supplier Quality, Chrysler Group LLC from April 2012 through August 2014. He was responsible for all purchasing and supplier quality activities, including both product-related components and indirect suppliers and services.  Prior to that he held the position of Senior Vice President – Engineering from June 2009 through April 2012.

Since first joining the former Chrysler Corporation in 1985 as a Product Engineer, he has held many leadership positions within the company, including vice president, chief engineer, director and senior manager positions.

Kunselman earned a Master of Business Administration degree (1993) and a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering (1987) from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University (1985) where he rekindled the local student chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).

He has been a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) since 1984. He is the Chairman of the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC), a member of the Board of Directors of the Michigan Science Center and was appointed by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder to the Oakland University Board of Trustees in August 2012.

In 2008, Kunselman joined the board of directors of the Michigan Science Center (former Detroit Science Center) where he has been an active supporter of STEM activities.  He has also served on the board of directors of the FCA Foundation (former Chrysler Foundation) since 2009 where he directed the annual support for STEM.

Kunselman is married to Denise, his wife of 26 years, who is a Michigan native and alumna of Oakland University's School of Business Administration.  She also holds an MBA from the University of Detroit.  They have four children and currently reside in White Lake Township, where they are also raising two dogs.  Oldest son, Adam, is a junior film major at Columbia College Chicago.  Older daughter, Emily, is a newly enrolled freshman at the University of California San Diego studying Marine Biology.  Daughter Abbey is a sophomore at the International Academy (IA) high school and son Jay is in middle school.

The family loves outdoor activity and each is an accomplished skier.  Hiking and backpacking have also been popular and the family has had a chance to experience several national parks such as Yosemite and Sleeping Bear Dunes. Kunselman enjoys outdoor activities and the pursuit of fitness by running, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and even splitting firewood.  Recent hobbies include the purchase and initial restoration of old trucks with son Jay's assistance.

Kunselman was born in Kittanning, Pa.