keynote speakers

MOC is pleased to feature these keynote speakers for the 2011 conference:

› Michael L. Drucker, Chief Operating Officer, FedEx Express
› David Speer, Chairman Chief Executive Officer, Illinois Tool Works
› Craig W. Ashmore, Executive Vice President, Emerson  

speaker profiles

Michael L. Ducker (KSM '99)
Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President and President, International
FedEx

Michael L. Ducker is chief operating officer for FedEx Express and president of its International Division.

In these roles he leads all customer-facing aspects of the company's U.S. operations and sets the strategic direction for its international business, spanning more than 220 countries and territories across North America, Latin America & Caribbean, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India. He also oversees FedEx Trade Networks and FedEx SupplyChain.

Ducker leads the company’s efforts to open markets, improve customs procedures, and support international economic policy reforms around the world.

During his FedEx career, he worked eight years in the Asia Pacific region, including four years in Hong Kong as president of the FedEx Express Asia Pacific region. He also led the South East Asia and Middle East regions from Singapore, and served as vice president of Southern Europe, based in Milan, Italy.

Ducker started his professional career at FedEx in 1975 as a package handler in the company’s Memphis hub.

He applies his extensive global management experience outside of FedEx as well. He serves as chairman of the International Policy Committee and executive board member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as well as a board member of the Coalition of Service Industries and Junior Achievement Worldwide.

Born in Chattanooga, Tenn., he received his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

David B. Speer (KSM '77)
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Illinois Tool Works

David B. Speer is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ITW. Mr. Speer joined ITW in 1978 and has held various selling, marketing and general management responsibilities within the Construction Products organization. In 1984, he became General Manager of ITW’s Buildex business and assumed additional responsibilities for the Ramset/Red Head business in 1987 and for the Canadian Construction Products businesses from 1988. In 1992, he became General Manager of the Paslode North American businesses.

In September 1993, he became Group Vice President of the Construction Products organization, with responsibility for the global Buildex businesses, the Canadian Construction businesses and the Paslode North American businesses. In 1994, the Paslode European businesses were added to his responsibilities and in January 1995 the Asia Pacific Construction Products businesses. In September 1995, he became Executive Vice President of the global Construction Products businesses. In 1997, he added the additional responsibilities of ITW’s Finishing Systems businesses globally. In 2003, Mr. Speer transferred responsibilities for the Finishing Systems businesses to another ITW Executive Vice President while assuming responsibility for the global Wilsonart businesses.

In August 2004, he was named President of ITW. In August 2005, Mr. Speer was elected to the position of Chief Executive Officer and in May 2006 he assumed the additional responsibilities as Chairman.

Mr. Speer graduated from Iowa State University in 1973, earning a B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering. In 1977, he received a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University.

Mr. Speer is a member of the Board of Directors of Rockwell Automation and the Advisory Board of Northwestern University’s Masters of Manufacturing and Management Program. He is on the Boards of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, the Executives’ Club of Chicago, Rush Medical Center, the Museum of Science and Industry and the Economic Club of Chicago. Mr. Speer is also a member of The Commercial Club and The Business Council.

Craig W. Ashmore
Executive Vice President
Emerson

Craig W. Ashmore, an executive vice president at Emerson, manages the company’s strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate technology functions, as well as Emerson Network Power’s connectivity solutions business. He has held these responsibilities since 2004. In October 2007 Ashmore was named a member of Emerson’s Office of Chief Executive, the company’s top management team that sets global strategy. In October 2009 he was promoted from senior vice president to executive vice president at the company.

Prior to joining Emerson’s senior management team, Ashmore served as group vice president of Emerson Telecommunication Products and from 2001 to 2003 was vice president of corporate profit planning. He previously was president of the Fisher Regulators and Fusite divisions and before that served as Emerson’s director of investor relations. He joined Emerson in 1991 as a strategic planner and early in his career held a number of marketing and management positions.

Ashmore is a member of the board of NEMA, the electrical manufacturing industry trade association, and also serves on the board of the University of Connecticut Foundation.

Ashmore received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical and civil engineering at the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard Business School.