• Scott Jacobs, Director
• Ruth Ann Church, Sales & Marketing Project Manager
• John Herring, Project Manager
• Steve Wilson, Project Manager
• Parker Finn, Project Manager
• John Antos, Project Manager
• Talisha Winston, Administrative Associate

Scott Jacobs,
Director

Scott serves as Director of the Great Lakes Trade Adjustment Assistance Center at the University of Michigan. Prior to taking on the Director role he served as a Researcher and then Project Manager. During this time he worked with management at dozens of companies, conducting industry analysis and developing company specific recommendations to improve competitiveness. Before joining GLTAAC in 1998 he worked in several applied economic research positions, focusing on manufacturing and healthcare issues. He holds a Master of Public Policy from the Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan.

Email: sdjacobs@umich.edu

Ruth Ann Church,
Project Manager of Sales & Marketing

Ruth Ann joined GLTAAC in early 2007 and brings 18 years of business experience. Most recently, she led the marketing efforts of a mid-size global manufacturer of PET (polyethylene teraphthalate) bottles. She started in the role of market research manager for North America and over 8 years with the company moved into marketing roles with the European division (based in Germany) and the global offices. 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 B.A. in Economics and German from Kalamazoo College and an M.S. 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 six years, Steve has been a project manager at the GLTAAC, guiding manufacturers in a variety of industries and developing business/strategic plans.

Email: sbwilson@umich.edu

John Herring,
Project Manager

John has a wide range of business and manufacturing experience, with an emphasis in finance and sales/marketing. He has worked as a project manager at the Great Lakes TAAC for the past 21 years. Prior to this, he was CFO at a tool and die facility, and he was corporate controller, treasurer and executive assistant at ITT Automotive Group for five years. John is a veteran of the U S Air Force. He has a bachelor's degree in accounting and an M. A. in finance and accounting. John volunteers for the Literacy Council, where he coaches non-English speaking adults to become proficient in English.

Email: jherring@umich.edu

Parker Finn,
Project Manager

Parker joined the Great Lakes TAAC in 2002 as a Research Associate. Since then he has worked with management at several 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 BIAD in early 2007 and is helping client companies with both GLTAAC and AMAP programs. 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