Derrick D. Parson is an accomplished Plant Director at General Motors, overseeing the Defiance Castings Complex and Kokomo Components Electronic Assembly Complex since December 2015. Derrick has led significant initiatives in operational excellence, earning multiple awards such as the 2023 BEYA Science Spectrum Trailblazer Award and the 2023 Global Manufacturing Award for Operational Excellence Leadership & Execution. Derrick's extensive experience includes roles in quality assurance, supply chain management, and vehicle assembly, where proficiency in methodologies like Six Sigma, Lean, and Agile has driven benchmark performance and efficiency improvements. Derrick's educational background features advanced degrees and certifications from prestigious institutions including the University of Michigan and Harvard Business School, reflecting a strong foundation in management and operational excellence.