Staff Bios
GLTAAC staff is experienced in all aspects of business operations and management. Our staff can help you assess your current state and tackle crucial issues in production efficiency, sales and marketing, cost accounting, financial analysis, and management coaching.
- Scott Jacobs, Director
- Ruth Ann Church, Sales & Marketing Project Manager
- Steve Wilson, Project Manager
- Parker Finn, Project Manager
- John Antos, Project Manager
Scott Jacobs, Director
Scott has been Director since 2001. He is responsible for overseeing all aspects of GLTAAC. Before becoming Director, he served as a researcher then Project Manager with GLTAAC. During this time he worked with management at dozens of companies, conducting industry analyses and helping firms develop and implement recovery plans. Before joining GLTAAC in 1998, Scott worked in several applied economic research positions, focusing on manufacturing and healthcare issues. He holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan with concentrations in domestic policy and quantitative methods.
Email: sdjacobs@umich.edu
Ruth Ann Church, Project Manager of Sales & Marketing
Ruth Ann joined GLTAAC in early 2007, bringing 18 years of business experience to the TAAC. Prior work includes market research, consulting and leading marketing efforts of a $1.2 billion global manufacturer of PET (polyethylene teraphthalate) bottles. In 8 years with the company, she worked in various marketing roles with the North American and European divisions (based in Germany) and the global corporate office. Prior employment included university-based business assistance to companies in Central and Eastern Europe and Asia. She emphasizes consultative relationship-building in her role as "salesperson" for GLTAAC. Ruth Ann holds a BA in Economics and German from Kalamazoo College and an MS from the University of Pennsylvania which included courses at the Wharton School of Business.
Email: rchurch@umich.edu
Steve Wilson, Project Manager
Still proud to be a farm boy from Michigan, Steve graduated from Ferris State University with a degree in Avionics Technology. He went to work for the number one aerospace contractor in the world, first in manufacturing then as a flight test engineer. He later achieved a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Cal-Poly and went on to manage the design office and key programs of that aerospace firm. After graduating from Pepperdine University with an MBA, Steve participated in an executive rotation program at a Fortune 100 company that included two years each managing manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, sales and marketing, and strategic planning. For the past eight years, Steve has led programs at IRLEE and been a Project Manager at GLTAAC, guiding manufacturers in a variety of industries and developing business/strategic plans.
Email: sbwilson@umich.edu
Parker Finn, Project Manager
Parker joined GLTAAC in 2002 as a Research Associate. Since then he has worked with management at numerous firms in the tri-state area and has moved into the role of Project Manager (as well as sometimes-CIO of GLTAAC computers, websites and databases). After graduating from Michigan State University with a degree in Chemical Engineering, Parker spent several years as part of a product development team in automotive coatings. He has also worked in account management and business development roles at a successful internet startup. In 2004 he earned his MBA at the University of Michigan Business School in Ann Arbor where he focused on marketing and corporate strategy. He has authored healthcare strategy cases for MBA and executive education coursework and maintains a keen interest in marketing issues.
Email: finnp@umich.edu
John Antos, Project Manager
John joined GLTAAC in early 2007. Formerly, he was V.P. of Product Development for a $200+ million manufacturing company whose proprietary products are market leaders in the US and Europe. During his 20 year tenure, annual sales increased from $11 million to over $200 million. He managed the firm's intellectual property portfolio and is an inventor himself, holding over 40 patents in the US and Europe. He has international project management experience and operated his own consulting business in new product development. He holds a BSEE and an MBA from the University of Michigan.
Email: jantos@umich.edu