ACG Detroit Program: Supply Chain Management: Navigating Through 'Icebergs' ...Disruption & Chaos

Mr. Larry Gardner established the consulting firm of Lawrence Gardner Associates (Troy, Michigan) in 1982. He is a former president of First Citizens Bank, Troy, and was a partner in Gardner Taylor Associates, a financial and managerial consulting firm. His prior positions also include Strategic Planning Officer at Citicorp, New York; Account Officer for Multinational Lending, Citicorp, Ecuador; and head of the National Division and representative to the Chrysler Corporation loan restructuring for City National Bank of Detroit (now PNC). He received his undergraduate Business Degree and Masters of Finance and International Business from the University of Wisconsin, is an alumnus of the University of Michigan Graduate School of Bank Management, and attended the Advanced Program in Banking conducted by Harvard Business School faculty members while employed with Citicorp. He previously was an Adjunct Lecturer in management at Walsh College and on its Advisory Committee for the Master of Science Degree in Finance program. Mr. Gardner specializes in loan structuring and workouts, cash management applications, private debt placement, company valuations, due diligence and strategic planning, and has served on the Board of Directors of closely-held companies.

Laura Baucus is a results-oriented litigator and business attorney with experience delivering consistent results to clients in the automotive, aerospace, manufacturing and financial services industries. Ms. Baucus has worked both as outside counsel and as seconded in-house counsel. She is the Director of Dykema’s 140+ attorney Automotive Industry Group, the immediate past Leader of the firm’s Financial Services Litigation Practice, a Leader in Dykema’s COVID-19 Task-Force, the originator of the firm’s Supply Chain Group, the Manager of a firm OEM client-service team, and the immediate past Manager of the firm’s largest Michigan office. 

Ms. Baucus regularly counsels clients on force majeure and related contract performance options. Her litigation practice focuses on procurement and supply chain, recalls, warranty and cost recovery, contract termination, tooling recovery, Uniform Commercial Code issues, and financial services.  Her contract practice includes negotiating and drafting supply contracts and other commercial agreements for automotive and other manufacturing companies, including terms and conditions. Ms. Baucus also manages national portfolios of lawsuits for some of the nation’s largest residential mortgage servicers.

Adam is an innovative and dynamic entrepreneur who owns & operates Global Supply Chain and Automotive Professional Services companies in the Detroit area along with locations in multiple countries and US states.  Mr. Crysler is always on the cutting edge of technology and adaptability. He has a proven track record of financial company turn arounds and organic economic growth. He has extensive global travel, with a large multinational connection network. He is ethical and character driven.  

Born and raised in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, Ted Wahby began his career 31 years ago at JP Morgan Chase (formerly the National Bank of Detroit). Working in their corporate finance group, he assisted with strategic planning, bank acquisitions, cash flow monitoring, investor presentations, and data issuances for 15 years before moving into the commercial lending sector.

At Flagstar, Wahby manages the Middle-Market East group, serving privately-owned manufacturing and distribution organizations. “I’m very transparent with my clients, right out of the gate,” Ted says. “My goal is to be a trusted advisor and help their businesses grow smartly. I’m upfront, candid, and set expectations to avoid surprises. If there are problems or issues that need to be addressed, I’ll tackle them immediately.”

Outside of the office, Wahby serves on the McLaren Macomb Hospital’s finance committee, helping them review statements and evaluate capital projects. He’s also happily married and a die-hard hockey fan, with two children that he coached throughout their childhoods.

Ann Marie Uetz is a Partner and Vice-Chair of the national litigation department of Foley & Lardner LLP. Practicing for nearly three decades and recognized since 2013 in The Best Lawyers in America© for her work in commercial litigation, and since 2018 for her work in bankruptcy and creditor/debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law, she represents upper and middle market businesses in their contracts and business disputes, as well as debtors, creditors and secured and unsecured lenders in all facets of financing and restructuring. Ann Marie focuses on the manufacturing industry – chiefly suppliers in the automotive and defense industries – and advises her clients on acquisitions, procurement and supply contracts and disputes that arise within the supply chain. Ann Marie heads Foley’s Coronavirus Task Force and is co-founder of the firm’s Coronavirus Resource Center.

Ann Marie works with an extensive network of business leaders and professionals, and in 2015 was included in Crain’s Most Connected list, highlighted as one of the 100 most connected businesspeople in metro Detroit. Ann Marie also dedicates her time to philanthropic and artistic endeavors in Southeast Michigan. Ann Marie has held leadership positions on the boards of several professional organizations, and served as a director on the board for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra from 2008 through 2014, which tenure included the organization’s overall debt restructuring and reorganization. Ann Marie also volunteers on a pro bono basis for Cap & Conquer, a non-profit startup whose mission is to raise funds to help subsidize Cold Caps, a scalp cooling technology to reduce hair loss during chemotherapy treatment, for those who cannot afford the treatment. Ann Marie also represents the Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities in Chicago, Illinois, a non-profit voluntary association of organizations supporting services to persons with developmental disabilities. Ann Marie is also a member of the Saugatuck Yacht Club in Saugatuck, Michigan.