SOUTHFIELD – The Engineering Society of Detroit has brought Robert Magee out of retirement to serve as interim executive vice president of the nonprofit organization until a permanent successor can be found for former executive director Darlene Trudell, who left ESD several weeks ago to pursue other opportunities.
ESD Director of Communications Matt Roush declined to elaborate. Magee will lead ESD?s staff while ESD?s Board of Directors conducts a national search for a permanent executive vice president.
Magee is a veteran executive with 31 years of progressively greater responsibilities at AT&T Advertising Solutions. He worked for the telecommunications company as a general manager, regional vice president, Midwest sales vice president, and vice president of telephone sales, during a career that took him from his native Mississippi to positions in Dallas, Texas, Los Angeles, California, and finally, Detroit, until his retirement two years ago.
Roush said Magee had a prior relationship with an ESD board member and was asked to take the interim post when Trudell left ESD.
Magee is a 1980 graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi.
?We welcome Robert Magee, who has proven capabilities in exceeding financial goals, motivating staff, and strong communications and negotiating skills,? said Kouhaila Hammer, president of the ESD Board of Directors. ?And we?d like to thank Darlene Trudell for her 12 years of service and many fine contributions to the organization. We wish her well in her future endeavors.? Hammer is president and CEO of Ghafari Associates LLC, a Dearborn-based architecture, design, engineering and construction planning firm.
