MIke Donofrio Reigns in City of Allen Park

Mike Donofrio, who worked at Budd's Corporate Offices in computer systems, is now the Economic Development Director for the City of Allen Park.

Would you like to edit Budd Company Blogs??

If you have a passion for the tradition and culture of The Budd Company, there's a future for you.

Budd Company Blogs needs a few editors to post information on our company's past.

You don't have to be a good writer as evidenced by the current editor. Just someone with a sincere interest.

The pay is zilch, but the enjoyment of keeping the Budd legacy alive is a reward in itself.

If you are interested, please email Paul Flancbaum at go2paulf@gmail.com

I will provide the details.

Tom Davenport, First Budd Corporate Counsel, Dies

Tom Davenport passed away on August 19th at age 86.

He lived in Birmingham. Memorial service will be held at a later date.


He hired in as a Patent attorney and become Budd's first General Counsel.


He was an interesting man who played tennis, squash, golf and fencing. He also got into hot air ballooning and sailing.

Tom also had a great collection of box cameras and Lionel trains.

Mike Pellerito - Back in the Market

Hello Everyone, I've been keeping up with Sue Wang's updates (thank you so much for what you are doing Sue!!!!) and bump into people every now and then. Like many of us, I think about my Budd friends often but am usually so busy I don't get a chance to speak with many of you often enough. I'm sorry about that and I'm sorry I missed the bowling night, I'm sure that was fun.

Since leaving Budd I've been at Cooper Standard Automotive which is/was a great company to work for when I hired in shortly after getting the boot from Martinrea. However, like too many companies they are struggling in the current market situation and felt that one way they had to control costs was by laying off employees. Even though I have only been there two years I made it through several rounds of layoffs before getting caught and laid off "temporarily" for 12 weeks four weeks ago.

I was told it's a "temporary" lay-off and I know my bosses want me back as soon as possible, if it's possible. However, as we all know you can't take the chance of sitting around waiting for a call that may never come and I am now pursuing other possible opportunities.

For those who don't know, I have 12 years of experience in Purchasing/Supply Chain Management and a Bachelors in Business Administration. I am currently looking for a position in Purchasing/Supply Chain Management, Program Management and/or Account Management. Automotive or non-automotive.

I would greatly appreciate it if you would keep me in mind and let me know of any openings that you hear of.

Thank you and best regards,

Michael Pellerito
michaelpellerito@wowway.com

Editor's Note: Sue Wang keeps a very comprehensive list of former Budd employees, mostly from Detroit, Troy, Rochester and Philadelphia. If you would like a copy, please email Sue at: sueting.wang@gmail.com

Rembering Margarita (Barczak) Smith

It's been over a year now that Margarita Smith, former Budd insurance manager, lost her battle with cancer. Some of us knew her as Margarita Barczak.

One of the friendliest people you will ever meet, she always had a smile on her face.

Margarita kept in touch with her Budd friends long after she left the company. She will be missed.

Remembering the Gary Plant

I found the Budd Blog very nostalgic. I started with the company at Budd Gary in 1971. Mr first Plant Manager was H.K. Hockenbery, one of the finest plant managers that I have had the privilege to serve. He was succeeded by a very dynamic, demanding and exemplary leader, Robert A Bitting who also happened to be Commander-in-Chief of the U. S. Naval Reserve, MI. He set an example that any Annapolis graduate would be proud of and I was very fortunate to serve him as well. I am Lucius Woodson and was known as Buddy Woodson. When we closed our plant in 1982, some of my colleagues went to Detroit and some went to Philly. I chose to remain and find work in and around Gary, Indiana.

Perhaps you know some of them: R. A. Bitting, Don Bormes, Steve Gallegos, L. C. Williams, Kellemburger, John Kaminski, Al Jackson, Dave Wimmer, John Seebrook, Adam Sierkowski, Rodriquez, and many others. I lost track of everyone but I know that they are OK because they have had the Budd Experience and will do well anywhere.

Yours truly,

Buddy Woodson #11716

Blogger's Note: After the Gary Plant closed, many of the executives came to the Corporate Offices in Troy. Among them were: Jim Wahlman and Dave Verbeke, both in Human Resources. H.K. (Ken) Hockenberry also made the transition. Ken passed away in 2006at the age of 91.

Budd Rochester Knows How to Party!!

Hello Everybody:

Just thought I better post the date of this year's party.

The party will be on friday dec.5. Party time will be from 5'oclockto whenever. The party will be at Dublins Pub located on ten mile rd.two blocks west of I- 94 expressway. Iwill be there from
4 o`clock on

Hope to see you there.

Norm Fournier Sr.

The Upcoming Election -- A Budd Pastime

The Budd Company, prior to its acquisition in 1978, was always a company that actively encouraged its employees and the public at large to vote.

The company published a annual "Guide to Federal Officials," which was distributed to approximately 100,000 nationwide. It also held a "Forum on Government Affairs," an event where corporate employees and their spouses could hear a nonpartisan government official address an important issue.

In 1978, the company rented voting machines and conducted a mock election to gauge the political opinions of its employees.

The company never offered its own views, but simply asked that everyone "Make Their Voice Be Heard."

Budd also had a Political Action Committee (PAC) that supported candidates who favored the automotive and railcar businesses.

Shopping for Budd Photos

Hi,

I'm looking for a larger, higher quality photo of the Budd AutomotiveProducts sign that used to sit atop the Budd Manufacturing Company plant in Philadelphia (see the following link):www.pgworks.com/images/major_budd.jpg

Budd had a similar sign atop their stamping plant in Gary, IN, and may have had others.I would appreciate any potential photo sources or leads that you can provide.

Thanks for the help!

(Note: Information can be sent to the Budd Blogger at go2paulf@gmail.com)

Mark T. Evans

Anaheim, CA

Attention: Rochester Retirees -- October 23 Lunch

Rochester retirees luncheon will be held October 23, 2008 at Rivercrest.

Please contact Karen Hunter at 586 286-0525 or Ramona at 248 656-1362 or r.hepfner@earthlink.net for information.

Thank you.

Ramona Hepfner