MSU ALUMNA NAMED LEADING WOMAN IN AUTO INDUSTRY

Julie Martin, HELLA’s vice president of global sales, has been named by Automotive News as one of the 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry for 2015.

Martin was honored Nov. 9 at a gala celebration at the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center in Detroit, at which Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, was the featured speaker. The publication compiles the list of top female executives at automakers, suppliers and dealerships every five years.

Martin received her bachelor's degree from the Broad College of Business in 1989.

Based in Plymouth, Martin is responsible for further strengthening customer relationships in HELLA’s automotive electronics and lighting businesses. She also focuses on helping to position the company for additional growth in strategic product areas, including energy management, driver assistance and lighting.

Martin previously had served as HELLA’s purchasing director for electronics commodities in the Americas and also had managed North American production purchasing and supplier quality for the company’s electronics plants in the U.S. and Mexico.

Prior to joining HELLA, she held a series of management positions in purchasing at Visteon after progressing through a series of purchasing positions at Ford Motor Company. 

“Julie has shown exceptional leadership skills,” noted Steve Lietaert, president of HELLA Corporate Center USA, Inc. “It comes as no surprise to her colleagues and the management team that she was selected to be on the Automotive News' 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry.”