Few are better positioned to contribute to business higher education than leaders of Fortune 500 companies, and the Eli Broad College of Business just announced that it made another investment in fostering relationships with impactful industry leaders.
The Broad College’s Midland Research Institute for Value Chain Creation (MRIVCC) appointed J. Donald Sheets, former vice chairman at Dow Corning Corporation, as executive-in-residence. The MRIVCC, one of the Broad College’s eight research centers, is dedicated to developing effective and sustainable solutions to improve all types of public and private value chains.
Broad’s Midland Research Institute for Value Chain Creation appointed J. Donald Sheets, former vice chairman at Dow Corning Corporation, as executive-in-residence.
“We are privileged to have Don as part of our thought leadership team at the Eli Broad College of Business, working in collaboration with us to help take the idea of value chains from concept to reality. Addressing this critical business challenge will further cement the recognition, reputation and rankings of the Broad College as a top of mind business school,” said Sanjay Gupta, Eli and Edythe L. Broad Dean.
In his new role, Sheets will work with community leaders, corporate executives, and other key stakeholders to offer strategic direction and guidance to the MRIVCC. He also will actively share his insights about entrepreneurship, innovation, information technology, and business analytics with graduate and undergraduate students at the Broad College.
“Don is a respected executive and revered for his leadership, business acumen and financial expertise. He will be a great asset to the Midland Research Institute in support of our mission to excel as a research organization solving industry grand challenges,” said Katherine A. Franz, MRIVCC executive director.
Sheets joined Dow Corning in 1982 and held a variety of professional roles in accounting, finance, marketing, and management. Through a series of commercial management positions in Dow Corning’s electronics business, Sheets helped improve customer relationships and channel effectiveness while leading the commercialization of innovative new products. He was named vice president and chief financial officer in 2003. Sheets was vice chairman of Dow Corning as it became a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company in 2016. After helping the company through the transition into Dow, he retired on Feb. 1, 2017. Sheets serves as a trustee for Albion College, and as a director at Midland Center for the Arts, Midland Research Institute for Value Chain Creation, Wolverine Bank, Tri-Star Trust Bank, and MidMichigan Health System.
