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Article: Nelson: A mix of small-town and Japan.
- Article from:
- Automotive News
- Article date:
- March 13, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 Crain Communications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: David Barkholz
A guru needs acolytes, and Dave Nelson has his share.
Delphi Corp.'s retiring purchasing chief has 13 proteges and former colleagues in top positions at various U.S. manufacturers - including executives such as John Miller, head of purchasing at Nissan North America. That's a source of pride for Nelson.
Nelson was raised on a small farm north of Evansville, Ind., and his family used horse-drawn equipment. He never graduated from college. And he took his first plane trip at age 42.
Yet Nelson, 68, forged a reputation as a cutting-edge innovator during a 48-year career at TRW, Honda, Delphi and John Deere. His ...