‘Fridays at Findlay’ April 28 to Showcase Future Automotive Trends

Shift into high gear on Friday, April 28, for the University of Findlay’s “Fridays at Findlay” lecture series, “What’s Driving the Future of the Automotive Industry?”

The presentation will feature a panel of industry leaders that includes Alex Bibler, EV expert from LaRiche Chevrolet Cadillac, and Suzie Reineke of Reineke Ford Lincoln Family Dealerships and Kristie Dennes of Stellantis.

They will discuss current and future trends such as electric and autonomous vehicles, and younger consumers’ attitudes toward driving.

The event, open to the campus and community, will take place will take place in Winebrenner, TLB Auditorium on the University of Findlay’s campus. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. for a breakfast buffet with the presentation from 8 to 9 a.m.

Suzie Reineke

Reineke is the vice president of marketing and human resources for Reineke Family Dealerships. An Ohio State University graduate, she is a member of the Ohio Automobile Dealers Association and has held seats on the National Automobile Association Convention Committee and its Next Gen Thought Leadership Committee.

In 2017, Reineke was selected as a Top 40 under 40 recipient by Automotive News. She serves on the boards of First National Bank of Sycamore, the Calvert Foundation, Heidelberg University and is the current president of Seneca County Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities.

Alex Bibler

Bibler, a Findlay native, has worked at LaRiche Chevrolet for six years, including five years in the service department before moving to the sales department in May 2022. He has completed various GM-supplied electric vehicle training programs on servicing and selling EVs, as well as attended a General Motors training at Indianapolis Motor Speedway last fall. He has continued with his own research to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of the automotive industry.

Sponsored by Premier Bank, the Fridays at Findlay lecture series encourages continued educational opportunities for members of the community, the campus, and alumni regarding best leadership practices.

Kristie Dennes

Dennes is a senior manager in propulsion systems calibration at Stellantis.  She is a University of Toledo graduate with a degree in chemical engineering. She has been with Stellantis for 28 years, with 26 of those years in calibration engineering, holding positions in drivability, emissions, and on-board diagnostics.

She is a global leader of a team that contributes to the team success from North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Asia.  These experiences have contributed to her depth of knowledge in the systems development, controls, emissions and OBD regulatory requirements. Dennes will join the discussion to share her personal perspective of the automotive industry gained through this experience and does not speak on the behalf of Stellantis.

Register online by April 27 at www.findlay.edu/FridaysAtFindlay or call University Advancement at 419-434-5334 for more information. The fee is $12 for adults and $6 for students.