Date: Thursday, September 18, 2003
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Detroit Athletic Club, Detroit, MI
Honorary Chair: John Smith, Group Vice President, General Motors Corporation
Price: $150.00 Members, $200.00 Non-Members, $35.00 Students
$300.00 Benefactor $2500 Corporate Table Sponsor (10)

Detroit, MI, AUGUST 19, 2003 - The WAAI will honor DEBRA KELLY-ENNIS, President and Chief Operating Officer of Saab Cars USA, Inc. with its annual Professional Achievement Award during a dinner ceremony on September 18, 2003 at the Detroit Athletic Club.

Debra Kelly-Ennis was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of Saab Cars USA in September 2002. Under Kelly-Ennis’ leadership, Saab is having the best year in the company’s 47-year history in the U.S. market.

Kelly-Ennis’ automotive career began in 1999 when she joined General Motors Corporation as a Brand Manager for its Chevrolet division. Recognizing the enhancements she and her team made to the competitiveness of the S-10 and General Motors truck leadership, Kelly-Ennis was promoted to the position of General Manager for GM’s Oldsmobile Division where she led the phase-out of Oldsmobile which included the redeployment of personnel, maintaining dealer relations, and marketing the product line.

In addition to her General Motors experiences, Kelly-Ennis has held a number of non-automotive marketing and sales leadership roles for such companies as RJR/Nabisco and Grand Metropolitan, PLC. She is a member of the Pulte Corporation board of directors and active in community affairs such as GM’s 2002 United Way campaign. Debra was also recognized by Automotive News as one of the top 100 leading women in the automotive world.

WAAI MISSION STATEMENT
The WAAI is the automotive industry’s premier professional organization that:
• recognizes the achievements of women in the industry;
• provides educational e-news of particular interest to women in the industry;
• builds relationships through networking and other forums;
• encourages growth through mentoring, educational endeavors, and scholarships.
The focus of the Association is on the development and retention of women leaders and the education and support of all persons, without prejudice, who have an interest in the automotive industry.

Past honorees of WAAI’s Professional Achievement Award include Lynn Myers, General Manager for GM’s Pontiac-GMC Truck Division; Maureen Kempston Darkes, President and General Manager of General Motors, Canada; Bobbi Gaunt, retired President of Ford Motor Company, Canada; Jane Warner, former President of Kautex Textron, NA; MaryAnn Keller, world renowned automotive analyst; and Irma Elder, CEO, Elder Automotive Group. Proceeds from this event are used to support WAAI scholarships.
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