William (Bill) Steffan, Senior Vice President, External Affairs

Bill Steffan joined DENSO International America, Inc. in March, 2000 as vice president of Strategic Business Planning. In 2002, he was promoted to senior vice president of Finance and Corporate Planning. He became senior vice president of External Affairs in 2007. DENSO International America, Inc., Southfield, Mich., is North American Headquarters to parent company DENSO Corporation, Kariya, Japan.

Responsible for corporate real estate, facilities, purchasing, government affairs, corporate communications, community relations and corporate philanthropy, Steffan is directly involved in market analysis, feasibility studies, site and facility selection, incentive negotiations and related activities associated with the establishment of DENSO’s new manufacturing operations, technical laboratories and related properties in North America.

Steffan majored in accounting and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business in 1975 from Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio. In 2001, he received his Master of Business Administration from Regis University, Denver, Colo., with an emphasis in International Business.

Soon after accepting a position in the corporate finance office of the Champion Spark Plug Co., Toledo, Ohio, Steffan advanced to manufacturing management. In 1991, he resigned as general manager of Champion’s Morenci Engineered Rubber Products to join the Walbro Automotive Corporation, Ligonier, Ind., as general manager of the Fuel Rail Operations. He held the position for two years before moving to Walbro Automotive Corporation, Auburn Hills, Mich.

After a distinguished term as director, Acquisitions, Mergers & Strategy, Steffan was promoted to chief administrative officer of Walbro Europe, Paris, France. In this position, he developed strategic business alliances in the global market and was responsible for facility operations in Norway, United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Spain, Germany and India. His achievements included the successful integration of new plant acquisitions as well as consolidation of independent business units. Steffan’s efforts increased efficiency and resulted in significant sales volume increases. He also established a corporate European headquarters in Paris as well as a joint venture in India.

Steffan is a member of the American Management Association (AMA) and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). He is a certified public accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants (OSCPA). He is a former board member of the Northwestern Indiana Private Industry Council.