MIDLAND, Mich. – The DeVos Graduate School of Management celebrated the graduation of the inaugural class of its Dealership Executive MBA program (DEMBA) at Northwood University’s commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 11.

The cohort consisted of students from all over the country representing the following companies:  Association of Finance & Insurance Professionals, Autobahn Automotive Media, Autotrader.com, Central Atlantic Toyota Distributors, Manheim Online Solutions, Credit Acceptance Corporation, DCH Auto Group, Flemington Car & Truck Company, Ford Motor Credit Company, General Motors, John Brothers, Inc., Nissan North America, Fidelis Systems, Performance Auto Group Family of Dealers, Performance Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Lincoln, Talisman Suzuki, and Vaughn Automotive New Vehicle Dealership.

“Northwood has a rich history with the automotive industry and remains committed to further developing leaders throughout the competitive automotive marketplace,” said Dr. Lisa Fairbairn, dean of the DeVos Graduate School of Management at Northwood University. 

Several recent DEMBA graduates expressed their experience with the program. Sara Villarin-Yi, comptroller at Talisman Suzuki, said, “I would have to say that whatever success my dealership will be experiencing, it will be because of this program. I started not knowing much about the automotive industry but finished with a plethora of knowledge and great friends.”

Added Elgie Bright, district sales manager for Chevy-Eastern Michigan: “This is a great program for anyone that wants to be challenged to transform our industry and also assess their own behaviors and attitudes.”

The Dealership Executive MBA (DEMBA) program, introduced in 2008, is an innovative MBA curriculum specifically designed to meet the ever-growing needs of leadership development within the retail automotive industry.