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30 October 8 • 2015 continued from page 28 auto » Shulkin is much more than working in the automotive industry. With sev- eral patents to his name, he is now vice president of research and development at Magna International, the most diver- sified global automo- tive supplier and one of the world's top automotive suppliers. Magna International has 287 manufactur- ing operations and 81 product develop- ment, engineering and sales centers in 29 countries. Shulkin has been rising up the corporate ladder there over the last 20 years. The West Bloomfield father of four kids, who has sent his children to Akiva and the Ganeinu Day Camp, today feels at home in Detroit despite his upbring- ing in western Russia and the extensive global trips he's taken during his career. Magna International was the first com- pany to bring Israeli-based MobilEye to market in 2003, and the firm recently led a $26 million funding round into the Tel Aviv-based car cybersecurity startup, Argus Cybersecurity, which also has an office in the Detroit area. The internation- al Magna headquarters are in Toronto; the U.S. headquarters are in Troy. The automotive industry, Shulkin believes, is going through the largest transformation in a generation and possibly the biggest since the industry began. He sees hope through this period of significant change. "This period is an opportunity for job growth," he said. "What the car is, how it's bought and utilized, is all changing because of technology. Detroit is well- positioned to take advantage of the new markets if we prioritize high-tech trans- portation and recruit the top engineer- ing talent because we already have the most engineers per capita of any region. But we need to create a vibrant ecosys- tem that recruits more technologists, engineers and transportation entrepre- neurs to move here and not be afraid to learn from failure." A few years after Schloss began at Ford, Ben Saltsman would join Ford as a product design engineer. Saltsman, who moved to Metro Detroit 20 years ago to do consulting work, is now director of innovation for Dura Automotive in Auburn Hills. The Moscow-born engineer who considered himself a big-city guy would never have envisioned himself staying in Detroit for two decades. Yet, he's planted strong roots here, not only with his wife and two kids, but also with his wife's parents who are now here. Saltsman said he feels it is "a really exciting time in the automotive industry with a lot of engineering skills being uti- lized to create more software-oriented vehicles. Not just software, though, but an amalgamation of mechanical, manu- facturing and elec- trical systems that require significant and high-level engi- neering expertise." There is so much demand for these specific needs that many companies in the area are strug- gling to find talent to fill job openings. While Jews are not well-represented in the automotive industry, with few top role models, Saltsman said plenti- ful opportunities exist for engineers to apply themselves here and find value in the Jewish community. Twenty years ago, Saltsman sat by himself in the back row of Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield. He didn't know anyone else in the synagogue at the time or any other Jews in the com- munity. The late Morris Baker, though, would sit by him and acquaint him with his family in a way that made Saltsman feel more welcome in his new surround- ings. The friendship that began at shul would continue for years to come. It's that welcoming spirit that truly allows Detroit's Jewish community to be engineered to excel. * Boris Shulkin Ben Saltsman "This period is an opportunity for job growth. What the car is, how it's bought and utilized, is all changing because of technology." — Boris Shulkin Proceeds benefi tting the community Project Compassion, Angela Hospice, St. Paul Lutheran (Pontiac) and Seminary Student Funds. Visit us at bloomfi eldcross.org Crafted Furniture Porcelain Vintage Clothing Fine Jewelry Fine China Art Glass & Stemware Victorian Décor Pottery Unique Gifts Tiff any Style Lamps Retro Pieces Trunks, Boxes & Keepsakes Cross of Christ Lutheran Church Bloomfi eld Antiques & Collectibles Show Where You're Sure to Find Your Next Treasure! Oct. 9 th & 10 th , 2015 1100 Lone Pine Rd., Bloomfi eld Hills 10am to 6pm Friday, 10am to 4pm Saturday $ 8 Admission Over 30 Great Dealers and Silent Auction Saturday Highlights: Taste of Excellence by Local Restaurants DuMouchelles Appraisers 2039600 44575 Garfield Rd., Clinton Township, MI 48038 | Located on the Center Campus of Macomb Community College 586.286.2222 | www.MacombCenter.com Media Sponsor Show Sponsor Diamond 2040570