Dr. Alan J. Ruud '69 named Chairman of MSOE Board of Regents
| Published: 10/27/2010 |
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Ruud graduated from MSOE with a degree in electrical engineering. In 1982 he founded Ruud Lighting, a manufacturer and worldwide direct marketer of industrial, commercial and residential lighting fixtures. A professional engineer and lighting designer, Ruud is nationally recognized for his expertise in the lighting industry. In addition to numerous patents for his innovative designs, Ruud has received a number of awards including the Master Key to Success from MSOE in 1988 and was given an Honorary Doctor of Engineering degree from MSOE in 1998. Ruud received an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago; he and his wife Patty have two grown children, Cynthia and Christopher, and six grandchildren. He has served on MSOE’s Board of Regents since 1990.
In addition to Ruud being named chairman, the following individuals have been elected to the Board of Regents: Michael W. Major, Ph.D., D. Sc., president and CEO of Cambridge Major Laboratories Inc. and Gary J. Vroman ’91, president and CEO of Ladish Co. Inc.
Michael W. Major, Ph.D., D.Sc. is president and CEO of Cambridge Major Laboratories (CML) Inc., Germantown, Wis., which provides advanced chemistry services to the world’s leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Major began his career the University of Lodz in Poland where he was a tenured professor of organic chemistry; the youngest to achieve the title in university history. He has published more than 40 papers while in academia.In 2009 Major was appointed to the Advisory Board of the Cardiovascular Center at Medical College of Wisconsin and to the UW-Milwaukee Research Foundation Board of Directors. He also recently served as president of the Wisconsin Biotech and Medical Device Association, and in 2004 won the honor of Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Life Sciences in the State of Wisconsin.
Gary J. Vroman ’91 is president and CEO of Ladish Co. Inc., located in Cudahy, Wis. Vroman began his career at Ladish as a sales engineer and was successively promoted to more responsible positions in the sales department before becoming vice president of sales in 1996. Vroman has overseen the company's management of cyclical demand in the aerospace and industrial forging markets, including the current up-cycle. He brings a focus on strong customer service to the position. He holds a bachelor’s degree in general engineering from the University of Illinois and a master's degree in engineering management from MSOE.