Lear CFO Matthew Simoncini is 2011 Distinguished Alumnus
The School of Business Administration presented its 2011 Distinguished Alumnus Award to Matthew J. Simoncini on May 4 at the school’s Annual Recognition and Awards Program held at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Simoncini is senior vice president and chief financial officer of Lear Corporation, a leading global supplier of automotive seating systems and electrical power management systems with 87,000 employees at 200 locations in 34 countries.
Named to his current position in 2007, Simoncini is responsible for Lear’s global finance operations, including external financial reporting, business strategy, planning and analysis, corporate development and information technology activities worldwide. Instrumental in leading Lear through financial challenges in 2009, he was a finalist for Crain’s Detroit Business’ CFO of the Year Award for 2010.
An active member of the business school’s alumni association, Simoncini currently serves on the Swing for the Students golf outing committee. He was instrumental in obtaining Lear’s title sponsorship of the golf outing as well as garnering sponsorship support from other corporations. Created in 2007, the annual event helps to support the School of Business Administration Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship for Emerging Leaders.
“This event is the perfect combination of business networking, communication, fundraising and fun. I am very proud of my WSU roots and I believe the university is one of Detroit’s jewels. Its mission of providing a world class education to those who may not otherwise have that opportunity needs to be supported,” said Simoncini.
“Swing for the Students helps us get this message out to a broad group of individuals while raising money for scholarships. I received support during my time as a student and I feel a real obligation to do my part in helping to support today’s students,” he said.
This year’s outing is Monday, July 25th, at the Detroit Golf Club.
A thoughtful and dedicated supporter of Detroit and Southeastern Michigan, Simoncini also serves as a trustee for VIP Mentoring, a Detroit-based organization that screens, trains, matches and supervises volunteer mentors to work with at-risk children aged 7 to 14, in order to strengthen their chances of leading successful and productive lives.
Additionally, he is a member of the United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s Alexis de Tocqueville Society. Members of this group actively participate in volunteer projects that focus on improving education, income and the basic needs of individuals and families in our area.
Simoncini received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the Wayne State University School of Business Administration in 1985, is a certified public accountant and a member of the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants. He lives in Grosse Pointe with his wife Mona, and their daughter Sydney.
Watch his acceptance speech from the 2011 Recognition & Awards program below:
