Industry & Services >> CEO Interviews >> December 8, 1997
JOHN C. KENNEDY is President and CEO of Autocam Corporation, the Grand
Rapids-based manufacturer of precision machined components for the
automotive, computer and medical device industries. Forbes magazine has
ranked Autocam as one of the best small public companies nationwide and
the best small company in Michigan for 1994, 1995, 1996. Kennedy
attributes the company's success to its emphasis on continuous process
improvement efforts and employee involvement. Outside of his business
commitments, Kennedy devotes time to a number of organizations. He is a
member of the Boards of Comerica Bank, Riviera Tool Company, Sligh
Furniture Company, the Economic Club of Grand Rapids and United Way
(Chairman 1995). He is a member of Grand Rapids Catholic Secondary
Schools and West Michigan Catholic Foundation. He is Vice Chair of
Healthcare 2000 (past Chairman). Statewide, Kennedy is a Commissioner of
the Michigan Department of Transportation and a Board member of the
University of Detroit Mercy. He has been on several community capital
campaign committees. After graduating from the University of Detroit
Mercy with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Kennedy joined the Detroit
office of Deloitte Haskins & Sells, and then was named Chief Financial
Officer of Autodie Corporation. In 1988, John Kennedy purchased Autocam
from the Autodie Corporation in a leveraged buyout. Mr. Kennedy is a
past recipient of the Leadership Award by the Grand Valley University
Foundation, Jaycees Distinguished Service Award, and Michigan Jaycees
Five Outstanding Young People of Michigan Award. Profile
history and products?
Mr. Kennedy: Autocam is a manufacturer of small metal parts that are
primarily used in what I
