Former BMW CEO bridges gap between higher ed, global industries > Charleston Business Journal

It was serendipitous when School of Charleston President Andrew Shu met Knudt Flor. 

Hsu was invited to the previous BMW president and CEO’s retirement celebration final yr. By no means having met earlier than, the 2 struck up a quick dialog about larger training not assembly the wants of the trade. Flor stated that for BMW that translated into years of further coaching for brand new workers.  

“We had a pair conversations after that,” Hsu stated. “And I stated, ‘, in the event you don’t just like the state of affairs, come and assist us change it.’” 

In January, Flor took on the position of School of Charleston’s senior vp for innovation and trade engagement and distinguished professor of follow. 

On this new position, the previous CEO will information school and employees as the faculty creates revolutionary curriculum that appeals to each employers and college students. He’ll additionally help in growing CofC’s new engineering program. 

“Lots of our conventional engineering colleges which have been there for 100 years are nonetheless educating based mostly on what was wanted 50, perhaps 100 years in the past,” Hsu stated. “We’ve got the benefit of constructing one thing from scratch. I equate it as an alternative of engaged on the platform of Honda or Ford, we’re constructing a Tesla.” 

Via this system, Flor will put to make use of his 33 years within the manufacturing trade, and the connections he’s created, recruiting companies world wide to collaborate with the Charleston faculty. Suppose international internships, curriculum influenced by brand-name CEOs, European universities sharing their methods. 

Hsu calls the initiative revolutionary for the varsity and its strategic plan to broaden range, innovation and trade engagement. 

“We need to be essentially the most revolutionary college on the planet… And I believe Knudt’s going to assist us actually pace up innovation on our campus,” Hsu stated. 

The school president searched for 2 years to seek out a perfect candidate, wanting somebody not solely with trade, however world expertise. Flor started his position as engineer of manufacturing at Engine Plant in Munich in 1988 rising to govt roles in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. For the final 5 years, he served as president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing Co. in Greer. 

Inside his first 10 days on the job at CofC, Flor picked up the telephone and secured buy-in from practically 15 international manufacturing firms. Every jumped on board as a result of they too see a necessity for a stronger collaboration between larger training and the workforce. 

The benefit of Flor’s previous and his profitable status, he stated, is that enterprise leaders belief him to know what he’s speaking about.  

“All of us have the identical drawback. This isn’t a BMW drawback,” Flor stated. “Trade is the straightforward half. To get the scholars, the professors, the progress in order that we don’t over promise and beneath ship, that is the extra fascinating half.” 

To revamp the trade, Flor envisions new professors, nearer relationships with companies, internships the place college students remedy real-time trade issues.  

His aim is to place adjustments into motion this yr as a result of the trade is already evolving.  

“This needs to be an undergraduate program in very, very shut relationship with the trade as a result of we have to achieve quite a lot of pace,” Flor stated. “When a scholar goes by way of a four-year cycle they must be prepared once they go away the faculty. 

The previous CEO joked he might have loved his retirement somewhat longer—ideally on the golf course— however Hsu’s “pull” drew him again to work. Flor calls academia his fifth continent, a brand new problem to his management toolbox.  

“If there’s a pull, there are those that need to change, and that’s on the finish the driving power — the willingness to alter,” Flor stated. “To not discuss it and do what you’ve at all times completed.” 

This new position offers him the chance to behave, to create optimistic change all through not solely South Carolina, however doubtlessly the globe. If the state doesn’t have the workforce, repair it. Join with trade leaders and state legislators, dad and mom and colleges. Refocus the training system to encourage college students to check physics, arithmetic. Present them the trade isn’t soiled and uncared for. Entice them to jobs and assist change understand how expansive their future is. 

“We’ve got cash. We’ve got expertise. We’ve got funding within the problem. Our largest problem is individuals,” Flor stated. “Enterprise is individuals… individuals carry headcount. And persons are prepared to remain in South Carolina.”