Lamandren Derrick, PH.D. ‘09 Training and Development Manager, Chrysler Group, LLC

It takes enormous behind-the-scenes effort to keep the wheels of a big company turning smoothly, especially when it’s an automotive giant like Chrysler Group, LLC.

As the Training and Development Manager at Chrysler’s Mack Engine Plant in Detroit, Dr. Lamandren Derrick ’09, plays a key role in that effort. Derrick is in charge of training over 600 employees at the plant, which produces the company’s state-of-the-art Pentastar engines. He works with production workers on the factory floor and with more senior officials to ensure everybody is skilled in the latest high-quality manufacturing techniques.

“I’m keeping them current with world-class manufacturing processes,” Derrick explained. “I have to make sure the people who are the leads or the management, that their training is up-to-date and that they’re able to train their team as well.”

Derrick landed his current position in February after working for seven months as a workplace organization specialist at Chrysler’s Sterling Heights Assembly Plant. In that job he oversaw about 60 people a day – from assembly-line workers to plant supervisors – helping them understand and adhere to company policies, keeping their skills current, and advising them on how to get the most from their jobs or their team. He also formulated new policies and procedures aimed at helping the company run more effectively.

While his new role as training and development manager is a big promotion for Derrick, both positions have required him to draw on his expertise in organizational development, a field dedicated to enhancing a company’s operations by expanding the knowledge and effectiveness of its workers. It’s a field Derrick is passionate about.

“You get an opportunity to meet people, you get an opportunity to make change. You could be the bad guy, but the good guy at the same time,” Derrick said. “What interests me is just the different dialogues that you have with individuals, the opportunity you have to learn and grow with individuals, the opportunity to create and see what you create come to fruition.”

Derrick got his start in organizational development in 1998, after he graduated from the University of Dayton with a master’s degree in counseling psychology. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wilberforce University. His first job was as an organizational development specialist with St. John Providence Health System in Warren, Mich., but at the time he knew very little about the field.

“I was nervous,” Derrick recalled. “I was one of the youngest people there with the least amount of knowledge, so I was like a sponge. I remember just trying to do the best I could and be appreciated for my hard work and my passion for helping people.”

After seven years at St. John, Derrick was ready to take his career to the next level. He applied to BGSU to study for a master’s degree in organizational change, and a doctorate in education, specializing in leadership and policy studies. He chose the university because of its reputation, he said.

“They’re world-renowned for their education program, and I wanted to be a part of that,” Derrick said. “I had great professors like Dr. Patrick Pauken and Dr. Judy Jackson May. They were a great support and very knowledgeable in what they do.”

Derrick continued to work while he completed his studies, both as a teacher and an organizational development manager within BGSU’s College of Education and Human Development.  After graduation, he took jobs at Amicus II, a non-profit education support organization, and Dow Chemical, before landing the position at Chrysler.

Although he graduated in a difficult job market, he said persistence helped him succeed.

“I believe that knocking on every door is the key to success and growth,” Derrick said. “Every no you receive from a job interview puts you that much closer to a yes.”