KC SMARTPORT ANNUAL INDUSTRY BRIEFING

Christopher Smith was named Ford’s chief government affairs officer in March 2022. He leads a global team that is constantly enhancing the company’s expertise and influence in legislation and policy vital to the Ford+ plan for growth and value creation. Rapidly evolving policy priorities include areas such as connectivity, electric vehicles and digital services, and are intended to benefit customers, society and the environment, among other stakeholders.

For four-plus years prior to Ford, Smith was senior vice president, Policy, Government and Public Affairs – a function he created – at Cheniere Energy, the world’s second-largest liquefied natural gas operator. In that role, Smith led the incorporation of climate principles into Cheniere’s business model and helped modernize related federal regulations.

From 2009 to 2017, Smith served in the U.S. Department of Energy during the Obama Administration as assistant secretary for fossil energy. Earlier in his career, Smith held managerial and analytical positions at Chevron and analytical roles at Citibank and JPMorgan in New York City and London.

Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering management and mechanical engineering from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, beginning his career as an officer in the U.S. Army. He has a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Cambridge in England and a degree in applied mathematics from American Public University.

Dan Lee is Principal in Plante & Moran’s strategy consulting practice. Dan helps organizations with long-term strategic planning, business plan development, market research, competitive market positioning, future product technologies roadmaps, corporate core competencies, commercial due diligence, business partnerships, and mergers and acquisitions.

Dan has over a decade of experience in the automotive and manufacturing industries where he has advised a wide range of corporate organizations. Dan’s expertise includes OEMs, electric vehicle startups, tiered suppliers, li-ion battery manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and engineering service providers across the globe.

Dan has a Master of Science degree in Accounting from Michigan State University, and a Bachelor of Accounting degree from Michigan State University.

  

Andy Hrasky was appointed Vice President, Operations of Magna/Cosma USA West in March 2023. In this role, he is responsible for leading Magna/Cosma’s existing operations in this area as well as the startup and launch of several new green field facilities in Michigan and Tennessee supporting the ever-changing needs in the automotive industry.

Andy previously held the role of Group General Manager of Magna’s Cosma Midwest Region. Prior to that he was General Manager at LMV Automotive Systems in Liberty, Missouri where he led the creation and launch of LMV which produces welded assemblies for Kansas City area auto manufacturers. Hrasky has held various roles with Magna throughout his career beginning in finance and accounting as a Divisional Controller and transitioning to the Operations area where he has found his passion.

Hrasky has over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry and holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Corporate Finance from Drake University, as well as a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Iowa.