SPEAKERS
Learn more about the speakers from the 2020 National Truck Summit!
MODERATOR: JASON STEIN
Publisher, Automotive News
Jason Stein directs the editorial and commercial operations for one of the world’s largest automotive business-to-business media organizations.
Mr. Stein joined Automotive News as a Detroit-based reporter in October 2003 before transferring to Automotive News Europe’s Munich, Germany headquarters in 2005. Two years later, he was named publisher of Automotive News Europe, a responsibility that included the management of the news and commercial operations, covering 32 European countries as well as marketing, digital, audience and event activities. In 2009, Mr. Stein moved back to Detroit to oversee the editorial operations of Automotive News. In 2012 he added the responsibility of associate publisher, then publisher in 2013.
In 2016, he oversaw the launch of two new media products: Automotive News Canada, a digital media outlet and a monthly print magazine; and Fixed Ops Journal, a semi-monthly print magazine focused on auto retail operations.
In late 2015, Automotive News helped form the first annual Crain Communications/Michigan State University Detroit Journalism Program for aspiring journalists within the City of Detroit.
He holds a position as a juror for the World Car of the Year Award and Ford’s annual Salute to Dealers recognition program at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention and has served as a volunteer at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan and United Way.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: RYAN NAGODE
Chief Designer, Ram Truck/Commercial/ Performance – Interior Studios, FCA
Ryan Nagode is Chief Designer, Ram Truck/Dodge/Performance Interior Studios & Interior Systems – FCA. Ryan attended the Cleveland institute of Art, majoring in industrial design, which includes product/toys and automotive design. Since joining the company right out of school in 2003 as a Product Designer, Ryan has held a variety of positions of increasing responsibility. Today, Ryan is responsible for developing a cohesive and consistent interior design language that represents each brand and its heritage. Ryan led the interior design of the all-new 2019 Ram 1500.
Ryan loves bringing attention to the details within the teams’ designs and always looks for creative ways to overcome challenges. He attributes this to his diverse upbringing and experiences as the son of a toy designer.
In his spare time, Ryan volunteers at charity events, including Life Remodeled. Ryan also serves on the board for Caden’s Car Show/Full Throttle Event, organized through the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.
JAY SACKETT
Executive Program Manager, Product Development Office, Toyota Motor North America
Jay Sackett is an executive program manager for the Product Development Office at the Toyota Motor North America Research & Development (TMNA R&D) based in Saline, Michigan.
Mr. Sackett is a member of the team responsible for Toyota’s North American full size truck and SUV programs.
Mr. Sackett joined Toyota in 1994 as a design engineer in the body functional hardware division. Since then, Mr. Sackett has held various leadership roles with Research & Development including group manager in Vehicle Evaluation & Engineering, group manager of Body Hardware Design, general manager of the Body & Lighting Hardware department and general manager for the
Body Shell & Exterior teams.
Mr. Sackett earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the
University of Michigan.
TIM STOEHR
North American Truck Regional Product Line Manager, Ford Motor Company
Tim Stoehr is North American truck regional product line manager for Ford Motor Company. He is responsible for managing Ford’s North American truck programs, including F-150, F-Series Super Duty, F-650/750 medium duty trucks, E-Series and stripped chassis – operating each vehicle program as its own end-to-end business. This includes defining Ford’s long-term truck strategies as well as executing near-term deliverables. Product line management leverages Ford’s human-centered design process and user experience teams to create breakthrough products and customer experiences.
Over the last 10 years, Stoehr has held several major roles that have helped shape the truck, van and SUV portfolios Ford offers today. In 2010, he became the U.S. commercial vehicle product marketing manager, driving commercial customer input into all future truck, van and SUV programs. He assumed the role of general fleet marketing manager in 2016, responsible for all commercial vehicle marketing including future products.
Stoehr joined Ford Motor Company in 1989 and has held a variety of marketing, sales and service positions across the United States, including merchandising, brand development, franchising, sales development and dealer operations.
Stoehr has a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Outside of work, he loves to spend time with his family. He enjoys snow skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling and boating.
MATT WEISS
President, JATO Dynamics North America
Leader in Automotive, Tech and Digital Data Matt has worked for Ford Motor Company, Jaguar Land Rover and Ferrari. His career has focused on bringing together teams to use data and digital solutions. At JATO, Matt has transitioned the North America team and product suite delivering JATO’s first ever API solution called FLEX. Matt has an MBA from the University of Michigan with a background focused on leadership, product launches, sales, finance, brand and uncovering niche areas for product growth. He’s advised and worked for two start-up companies in the technology and alternative fuels sector. He’s excellent at using data to launch new products, improve processes, grow sales and maintain a lean and agile expense structure.
ERIN KLEPASKI
Senior Vice President, Auto Sales Alliance for Ally Financial
Erin Klepaski is Senior Vice President, Auto Sales Alliance, for Ally Financial. In this role, Klepaski is responsible for leading a team of market-driven change agents in the automotive finance space. The Auto Sales Alliance team develops new relationships, and maintains existing strategic relationships, across the entire automotive ecosystem – from OEMs to technology companies. Klepaski and her team are focused on delivering unique and relevant auto finance solutions driving Ally’s business forward.
Prior to joining Ally in 2010, Klepaski worked at Chrysler Financial and DaimlerChrysler. She has over two decades experience in the automotive and finance industries. Klepaski earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Marketing from Washington University, as well as an MBA from Oakland University.
MARK BOYADJIS
Global Technology Lead | Automotive Advisory Services, IHS Markit
Mark C. Boyadjis is the global lead for automotive technology consulting within the Automotive Advisory practice at IHS Markit. He is responsible for developing custom research for IHS Markit clients in the areas of automotive UX, ADAS, autonomous driving, connectivity, software, and more. Mark is an industry thought-leader in the space and has been a key member of the group for more than 13 years.
Mark is tasked with developing and incubating new research initiatives from specific technologies to new domains and driving innovation and strategic investment for our customers and the industry as a whole.
Mark is an often-quoted expert in his field and has presented on behalf of IHS Markit at several forums. He is regarded as a leader in Infotainment and HMI business practices, technology insights, and competitive intelligence. He has led projects and research that have aided many Automakers, Tier One, and Tier Two suppliers in designing, implementing, and executing strategic automotive technology goals in core product lines and on global scale.
Mark holds a Master’s of Science in Management of Technology (MS MOT) from the Technological Leadership Institute at the University of Minnesota’s College of Science and Engineering, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Business Management from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management.