Leading By Example
Dick Wilkerson has never been averse to good, honest, hard work. He learned by example from his Marine father. He lived it himself as a young collegian, bussing tables at a Duke University dining hall and then burning the midnight oil studying to maintain his academic scholarship, finding ways to make ends meet in pursuit of a higher education. Likewise, Wilkerson has witnessed the rewards of hard work and reaped the fruits of his labor, always with a watchful eye to the future. It is this work ethic and belief in the power of people that makes him a phenomenal leader, both as the Chairman and President of Michelin North America and in his many civic duties throughout Greenville.
Growing up in a military home, Wilkerson attended more than 12 different schools before his high school graduation. Though many could have thought this a negative, Wilkerson saw it as an opportunity to meet new people and learn more about different ways of life — a lesson that would serve him well throughout his career. During his school years, Wilkerson developed a love of math and science and desired to pursue an engineering degree. He attended Duke after becoming an avid Blue Devil follower while attending a small high school in Durham, NC.
After graduation, Wilkerson was recruited by Procter and Gamble to work in manufacturing management in Cincinnati, where he stayed through 12 years and four location changes. In 1979, he interviewed with Michelin and was immediately fascinated by the international nature of the company. A short time later, he accepted a position when they called. “Much of my career has been in manufacturing management and personnel before the six years I spent running the specialty tire business in North America,” he says. “Most of my 30 years with Michelin has been in North America, save a year in France and two in Scotland. These experiences are incredibly valuable to me in gaining a deeper insight and understanding of the ideas and cultures woven into the foundation of our company.”
Wilkerson took the helm of Michelin N.A. in August 2008 and has made significant strides in his responsibilities for the financial results and coordination of all operations of Michelin in North America, as well as serving as a worldwide executive council member for the Michelin Group.
“Dick is an ‘HR manger’s Dream Chairman,’” says Wayne Culbertson, executive vice president, personnel and chief human resources officer. “His extensive experience in multiple positions within the company has given him a unique and well-rounded perspective on all aspects of the business and really reinforced a truth he’s always held dear — the company’s most important resource is its people.”
Many at Michelin have been impressed with Wilkerson’s commitment to “putting his money where his mouth is” on this point. When many CEOs would use a lunch hour to attend to their own personal business, Wilkerson instead spends time talking with company employees over lunch in the Michelin cafeteria. He understands that to truly serve the company and its people, he must have an active understanding of the issues affecting them.
“As Chairman and President, my role is to guide our company in North America. This is not simply achieving business results, but it also encompasses managing to our value system in the conduct of our business, always operating as an outstanding corporate citizen,” says Wilkerson. “To me, one of the things that makes my position especially interesting is the opportunity to impact the development of the future leaders of the company. We can manage the transfer of our strengths and vibrant business culture to ensure the continued success of Michelin in future generations.”
But Wilkerson takes this commitment beyond the Michelin organization, extending the same passion and dedication into his work in the community. In his position, Wilkerson has spearheaded two important Michelin-backed initiatives aimed at giving back to the community.
“I have a great passion for the Greenville community and am excited to be a part of such significant efforts to bolster the morale and success of our area as well as other areas across the nation that Michelin calls home,” says Wilkerson.
The Michelin Challenge Education is a mentoring and volunteer program for local Title 1 elementary schools that encourages Michelin employees to go in and work directly with students on a regular basis. By forming a true partnership between each facility and its adopted school, Michelin provides financial and mentoring support to meet the specific needs of each school. The program not only accelerates student progress but boosts morale throughout the entire educational facility, from the student body to the faculty and administration where company volunteers are working.
“Mr. Dick Wilkerson and Michelin North America are outstanding corporate citizens who recognize the importance of local public education and its impact on the Upstate’s quality of life. Mr. Wilkerson has invested time and resources to support schools and has challenged his employees to become actively involved with our schools to make a positive difference for students and to support teachers. The Michelin Challenge Education Program provides volunteers who regularly visit four Greenville County public schools to assist students with reading and math and to serve as role models. On a district-wide basis, Mr. Wilkerson recognized a need in our schools when funding for school operating supplies was cut 36 percent over two years. He spearheaded the “Are You Smarter than a Greenville County Schools Fifth Grader?” event that raised $175,000. Proceeds are being used by every Greenville County public school to purchase operational supplies like copy paper and Promethean projection bulbs. Greenville County, and more specifically our schools, are extremely fortunate to have the personal involvement and support of the Chairman and President of Michelin North America,” says District Superintendent Dr. Phinnize J. Fisher.
The Michelin Development Upstate program was established to help stimulate small business and job growth by offering low interest loans to start-up, small- and medium-sized businesses, many of which have been defined as disadvantaged by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Wilkerson says the program was brought to the Upstate to focus on people dramatically impacted by the economic recession. In addition to lending financial support, Michelin Development Upstate will also provide participating firms free access to Michelin’s considerable in-house business expertise. Started just two years ago, the program is well on its way to granting loans totaling $2 million and creating more than 500 jobs.
“Dick encourages the employees of Michelin to get involved in the community and be fully engaged. He’s an example-setter, and he clears the way so many others can actively be a part of the broader community,” says Ben Haskew, president and CEO, Greenville Chamber.
Additionally, Wilkerson is chairman of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and also serves on the Clemson University President’s Advisory Board and the University of South Carolina National Advisory Council. Nationally, he serves on the board of the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA).
Wilkerson has been heavily involved with the United Way, primarily serving on the Community Impact Council where he assisted in setting priorities in funding for supported organizations. This year he chaired the fundraising campaign – one of the largest efforts by the United Way ever in Greenville County. He has also served on the board for the Greenville Symphony, focusing on the education of local children, and has sponsored the Michelin Concert for children as well as other outreach programs he feels significantly impact the children’s view of the world.
“Dick aspires to serve the greater good, whether that be the greater good of his company, his employees or the community. He’s constantly looking for ways to do things better and to achieve greater results,” says Roxanne Cromartie, vice president for leadership and major gifts, United Way of Greenville County. “Dick has a spirit about him — a volunteering, caring spirit — that allows him to fully utilize his position not only as a leader in the community but in everything he does. He’s so enthusiastic and positive that he takes everyone he comes in contact with to a higher level.”
“We’ve seen Dick’s footprints across the region in a number of ways and also on a statewide basis. We’ve seen his activity in the business community; we’ve seen it in the United Way; we’ve seen it in impacting education. All in all, Dick is a great choice for the Business Person of the Year honor,” adds Haskew.
“Dick exemplifies the qualifying parameters established by the Business Person of the Year award: principled leadership, strategic thinking, continuous pursuit of excellence and balanced workplace values,” says Culbertson. “He truly embodies the notion of finding terrific balance between business, community interests and family. For Dick, it’s not rhetoric — he walks the walk and puts his beliefs in action. The activities he pursues and the example he sets are true derivatives of interests he holds dear to his heart.”
When asked where he turns for inspiration, Wilkerson’s answer does not involve the great businessmen of history books but a noble father figure, dedicated to his family, his country and his career — a man whose core qualities Wilkerson admired enough to emulate in his own life. “My father was a graduate of Erskine College who enlisted in the Marine Corp immediately after Pearl Harbor. He was promoted to Platoon Sergeant before the end of the war and decided to make a career of it. He fought in active combat in three wars — WWII, Korea and Vietnam — eventually rising to the position of Major General. He turned 91 this fall, but he’s never forgotten his time as an enlisted man. His commitment, strength and conduct as a gentleman have always been my biggest inspiration.”
Wilkerson has been married to his wife, Betty, for more than 41 years. They have two children — a daughter, Ashley, who is a doctor in Philadelphia and a son, Richard, who is an MBA student at College of Charleston. But perhaps the apples of Wilkerson’s eye are his two grandchildren who live in Philadelphia, just a little bit too far away for his taste as he says he’d relish the opportunity to see them more often. When he has a free moment, Wilkerson enjoys taking in a round of golf, though he admits he has never had enough time to invest in the sport in order to “do it well.” But if you ask his colleagues, they’ll all tell you the same thing — he’s never too busy to take in a good game of Duke Blue Devil basketball.