Chrysler Group Engineer Receives Prestigious 'Black Engineer of the Year President's Award'

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

• Chrysler Group Sterling Heights (Michigan) Assembly Plant Manager, Tyree Minner, honored during 25th Annual Event
• Award recognizes "exceptional career gains in government and industry, in lifetime achievement and in pioneering feats"
• Chrysler Group continues its nearly two-decades long support of the BEYA Global Competitiveness Conference

U.S. Black Engineer & Information Technology magazine awarded its 2011 Black Engineer of the Year (BEYA) President's Award to Tyree Minner, Plant Manager--Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, Sterling Heights, Mich. 

Minner and other 2011 BEYA recipients were honored at the 25th BEYA Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Global Competitiveness Conference  and Awards Gala on February 19 in Washington D.C.  The BEYA Conference honors outstanding leaders in the STEM fields and provides excellent opportunities for professional development, networking, and recruiting.  Chrysler has been the exclusive sponsor of the BEYA Awards Gala for nearly two decades.  Minner is the latest in a long list of BEYA Award winners at Chrysler.

"Tyree's vision, drive and technical expertise has made him a valuable member of the Chrysler Senior Leadership Team," said Fred Goedtel, Head of Assembly Operations, Chrysler Group LLC.  "While establishing high standards for himself, Tyree's leadership inspires others to challenge themselves to higher performance."

Minner was appointed to lead Chrysler's Sterling Heights Assembly Plant -- where he directs the production of the all-new Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger vehicles -- in April 2010.  Since joining Chrysler in 2006, Minner has held a series of significant leadership positions at several key Chrysler manufacturing facilities, including St. Louis South Assembly Plant and Twinsburg Stamping plant.

"Tyree's values and integrity are demonstrated by his strong commitment to others through mentoring and leadership," Goedtel said. 

"This is great acknowledgement of my passion to inspire young people to embrace the importance of pursuing and excelling in the fields of science, technology engineering and math," Minner said.  "I want to thank both of my "families" -- my wife and family who support my professional and leadership endeavors, and my Chrysler family who supports my love for manufacturing, mentoring and community service."

About Chrysler's Leadership Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Chrysler historically has been a leader in promoting diversity throughout its enterprise.  The Company was named one of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" by Working Mother magazine 12 times, and has been recognized five times by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation as one of the country's leading corporations supporting diversity and inclusion.  In 2009 and 2010, Chrysler was named to Hispanic Business magazine's prestigious Diversity Elite 60, for implementing strategies to reach more Hispanic customers and to pursue more business with minority- and Hispanic-owned suppliers.

Early in 2010, CEO Sergio Marchionne assumed the role as executive sponsor of Chrysler's Global Diversity Council and reaffirmed the commitment of Chrysler's leadership team to the values and principles of diversity.

"Culture is the fabric that holds organizations together. It is not just an ingredient for success; it is the essence of success itself," Marchionne wrote.  "This is why my leadership team and I are committed to creating an atmosphere where all of our people feel respected and valued, because every person plays an important role in shaping our future, including employees, our supply base, our marketing and our dealer network.  Chrysler Group LLC and its people have a future with promise.  We will reach the full measure of that promise only as one, united diverse team."

About Chrysler Group LLC

Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 from a global strategic alliance with Fiat S.p.A., produces Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Ram, Mopar® and Fiat vehicles and products.  With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler Group's culture of innovation – first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925 – and Fiat's complementary technology – from a company whose heritage dates back to 1899.

Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group's product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300, Jeep Wrangler and Ram Truck.  Fiat contributes world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-size cars, allowing Chrysler Group to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles.

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SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC