Del C. Schroeder grew up in Algonac, a small Michigan town located on the St. Clair River. At the age of 12, Del built his first plywood kit boat that he raced in the Algonac Racing Association, and supported his boat's racing expenses by being a Detroit News carrier. Algonac was the birth place of both Garwood and Chris Craft Boat Companies. Because his mother was born in Belgium and came to America when she was 2, that makes Del a first generation American. It is the first generation Americans who have worked hard to prove they are worthy citizens-legal immigrant parents instill that work ethic. Del had to pay his way through college the same way his father did; they both worked and bussed dishes for their meals. Del went to Michigan State University majoring in mechanical engineering and transportation design. Del is also a proud member of Triangle Fraternity, a social and professional fraternity of engineers, architects and scientists. Del's automotive career started at GM Styling, then Cadillac Financial, Ford Research and Scientific Labs., GM Advanced Manufacturing, GM Truck and Coach Body Engineering, GM Truck and Bus Manufacturing Engineering, Executive in Charge of a GM/DuPont Joint Venture, GM CPC Division - Advanced Vehicle Engineering - Chief Engineer Pontiac Stinger, GM CPC Division Manufacturing Engineering and a contract engineer for Chrysler Research and Advanced Engineering. During his career, Del had the opportunity to work in a variety of job assignments. Each job assignment was chosen to provide a broad range of experience to become a better engineer someday. Del was an executive for 15 years of his 32-year career at GM in a variety of engineering and manufacturing assignments. In the course of his travels over the years, Del has been granted a total of 27 U.S. automotive patents through the GM and Chrysler patent system and they are the property of the respective corporations. Today, Del is an engineering consultant using good, old "Yankee Ingenuity." Del's sense of accomplishment has been in helping others accomplish their goals. So many people have helped Del as he progressed through life, his debt and gratitude has been in helping others achieve their goals.