William (Bill) Steffan, Senior Vice President, External Affairs DENSO International America, Inc.

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 also serves as president of the DENSO North American Foundation. The Foundation is dedicated to the advancement of higher education in engineering and related business programs through grant making to colleges and universities throughout North America. A priority is given to programs that demonstrate technological innovation and advance automotive engineering.

The Foundation also provides disaster relief grants through the American Red Cross to aid persons and communities in which DENSO Corporation operates.

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, Colorado.

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), the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and the Detroit Economic Club. 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 also serves as a board member of the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP), Southfield Community Foundation and the Children’s Center.