Spartan Profiles: Greg Bernas & Randy Stephens

Toyota Motor Corp.., one of the world’s two largest car makers, manufactures eight models in the U.S. Two of them, the Venza and the Avalon, boast MSU graduates as chief engineers— Greg Bernas, ’85, and Randy Stephens, ’85, who work out of the Toyota Technical Center in Saline. They are two of Toyota’s three American chief engineers.

Both credit MSU with their career success.

Bernas, a native of Allen Park, had no difficulty choosing to attend MSU. Four siblings, two nephews and a niece all attended MSU. His son is currently a student at MSU and his daughter in high school might well choose to become a Spartan. Greg, who is also the chief engineer for the upcoming RAV4 electric vehicle—a collaboration between Toyota and Tesla Motors—says MSU prepared him to succeed both in business and socially. “The engineering education we received was second-to-none,” he says. “In addition, everyone there was willing to help you. The teamwork atmosphere is just as it is in the working world.” 

Greg describes the Venza as Toyota’s first stab at the crossover market segment. “It’s smaller than an SUV but bigger than a sedan,” he notes. “It has a sporty look with internal cargo capacity.”

As chief engineer, he says, “We’re responsible for everything—styling, cost, manufacturing, vehicle safety, engineering design, logistic, packaging, etc. Our goal is to produce a vehicle that is safe, of high quality, and that customers want and will enjoy driving.”

Stephens, a native of Grand Blanc, chose MSU over the University of Michigan after a campus visit. “MSU was a very welcoming place,” Randy recalls. “It was a perfect preparation for work life,” he says. “The courses were very challenging, but also a lot of fun. You come away with technical and social skills that help you in a professional setting. You get to work with a team and learn the collaboration that is important in helping you have success in the real world.”

He cites Ronald Rosenberg as a favorite professor. “The faculty is top notch,” he says. “Dr. (John) Foss in fluid dynamics, for example, is nationally known.”

Randy has worked on the Avalon since 2004 and describes it as a premium sedan boasting the highest available car technology. “Quality and safety pervades everything that we do here,” he says. “A key component is that we want to build cars that are fun to drive.”

He says Toyota engineers place more attention on metrics that measure customer satisfaction rather than sales figures. Obviously, one tends to affect the other. Both engineers say they are honored to be two of only three North American chief engineers for Toyota. “We’re trying to find another MSU graduate to join us,” says Greg.