Ron May to join University of Michigan Ross’ Center for Positive Organizations Executives in Residence

June 23, 2017

Former DTE exec joins team dedicated to connecting research and positive leadership practices

The Center for Positive Organizations at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business has announced a new member of its Executives in Residence, a two-year commitment where leaders unify their successful business backgrounds with the ongoing research, teaching, and organizational partnerships of the Center.

Ron May will join the existing cohort of Richard Haller, David Drews, Fred Keller, and Roger Newton on the Center’s team of researchers, leaders, students, teachers, and staff. May is the recently retired Executive Vice President of DTE Energy and founder and CEO of May Technology Group, LLC. Haller, Drews, Keller, and Newton have held senior leadership roles in Walbridge, Project: Worldwide, Cascade Engineering, and Esperion Therapeutics, respectively. Collectively, they have created billions of dollars of economic value, while making a difference in the lives of employees and communities.

“My hope in joining the Center’s Executives in Residence team is to learn more about the betterment of society, and contribute to the development of that learning,” said May. “I also want to support others who are on the same path.”

The Executives in Residence program amplifies the Center for Positive Organizations’ work in the field of Positive Organizational Scholarship. Positive Organizational Scholarship is committed to revealing and nurturing the highest level of human potential, and strives to answer questions like: What makes employees feel like they’re thriving? How can I bring my organization through difficult times stronger than before? What creates the positive energy a team needs to be successful? The field was founded at the University of Michigan and recognized twice by the Academy of Management for its impact on management practices.

The Center serves as a platform for these leaders to distill and share their insights generated over decades of corporate and civic leadership. As Executives in Residence, they mentor students and alumni, share their observations and experiences through blogs, videos, and speaking engagements, and serve as a bridge to business leaders aspiring to build positive organizations.

“We are excited that Ron May is joining our team of Executives in Residence at the Center for Positive Organizations, said Chris White, the Center’s managing director. “Ron will bring his immense experience and wisdom to our efforts to build a better world through business.”