Tunnel vision

Competing with other commuting OU students on who has the quickest drive home, there’s a peculiar twist when it’s the guy from Windsor, Ontario who wins.

“It usually takes me 40-45 minutes to get home from OU’s campus,” says Canadian and second-year Executive MBA (EMBA) student Jordan Kehoe, who drives home via Windsor Tunnel. “We’ll message each other to compare times, so it’s pretty funny when I make it home to Windsor before students who live in the Detroit area make it home.”

Kehoe’s fellow drivetime competitors are part of a 14-member cohort within OU’s EMBA program, which cultivates leadership capabilities and executive-level business acumen.

With EMBA students meeting alternating weekends on campus, the program is specifically designed for busy, experienced professionals such as Kehoe, who works as a press project engineer in the ME Stamping Department for GM, out of the GM Technical Center in Warren.

A rigorous, 21-month MBA curriculum that focuses on essential business concepts, global perspectives, leadership and professional development, the EMBA program was the perfect means for Kehoe to advance his career within manufacturing – a desire of his that began in earnest after receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Odette School of Business, University of Windsor.

“Tool and die are big back home in Windsor,” Kehoe says. “After university, I was employed at a small tool and die shop, and I worked my way up from simulations and designs to program management. I became really interested in all stages of the manufacturing process, from design concept, up to product launch.”

Wanting to develop high-level leadership and critical thinking skills that would advance possibilities for future corporate directorship and vice-presidential roles, there were several factors that made OU’s EMBA program uniquely attractive to Kehoe.

Doable path

Kehoe was, first and foremost, impressed with OU’s EMBA curriculum.

“The program provides all the leadership courses needed to excel, as well as so many other vital courses such as financing, budgeting, and negotiating.”

The EMBA cohort also appealed to Kehoe.

“It’s nice to be with the same peers all the way through the program,” he says. “A smaller group means we get to know each other well. We have great, open discussions, and we have a lasting networking resource in each other too. There’s been nice camaraderie, and we’ve even enjoyed some outside activities together, like golfing.”

Kehoe also appreciates how the cohort affords more time with the program’s professors.

“We can tap into all that expertise and experience with OU professors,” he says. “They make themselves readily available to us after hours too, so we get that extra support."

Timing was another deciding factor in enrolling in OU’s program.

“The condensed nature of the program is ideal for me and my wife, as our first baby is due this October, and I’ll be graduating from the program not long after that,” he says.

The EMBA cohort appears to be on the same wavelength personally as much as they are professionally. A baby trend has emerged within the 2025 EMBA graduating class: a total of four 2024 babies will be born amongst the small group.

“They’re all baby boys too,” Kehoe laughs. “We joke that we’ll be getting onesies as graduation gifts.”

In the meantime, Kehoe continues soaking up program knowledge and applying it on the job.

Immediate payoff

“My current job [within GM ME Stamping] is like that of a firefighter, in getting at and solving problems as quickly as possible,” Kehoe explains. “There’s lots of coordinating and juggling, with a focus on quality parts and timing.”

Leaving for work each day at 6 a.m. from Windsor, Kehoe arrives in time for a daily Toolbox Safety Meeting. From there, his week is chockful, interacting with an array of people, from contractors – to plant workers – to supervisors and executives –to shareholders. There are a plethora of product part/manufacturing-related upkeep and checks, including talking to contractors on procedures; walkthroughs with supervisors; and plant meetings to go over procedures, issues, or increased part needs.

There’s one obvious, direct benefit of his MBA education.

“What I’ve learned about time management definitely helps me juggle everything,” he says.

Various EMBA “philosophical nuggets” have also had staying power.

“From the first time I learned the concepts with the program, I’ve put into practice ‘Fail fast – move forward’ and ‘Don’t let perfect get in the way of good,’ “he says. “I’m also immediately bringing specifics I’m learning in class into the workplace, such using the correct business or technical terminology for the work I’m doing. It’s helpful to be equipped with the right language, because my supervisor and boss are already speaking that lingo.”

There are some EMBA courses that are especially necessary for Kehoe, who plans to continue working for GM post-graduation.

“Although the U.S. and Canada share many of the same general business principles, some of the Human Resources practices or business laws vary, between Canada and the states,” he says. “With EMBA policy and law courses, I get up-to-speed on all that I need to know within the American automotive industry.”

While Kehoe’s plate is plenty full of work and school responsibilities, the EMBA program is working out exactly as he’d hoped – he’s as busy maintaining and furthering his career on one side of the border as he is regrouping and rejuvenating on the other side.

“I’ve got tremendous support from my wife, and after busy days at work, we’re pretty low-key each evening at home, relaxing while watching TV and hanging out with our dog,” he says.

Despite being immersed in his master’s degree and work, special aspects of life at OU haven’t gone unnoticed.

“Oakland has a safe and beautiful campus, so it’s really pleasant being there,” he says. “I love all the greenery and especially enjoyed [Meadow Brook Hall’s] incredible display of Christmas lights.”

Is there anything Kehoe hasn’t been able to acclimate to on this side of the border?

“Detroit-style pizza,” he quickly states, with an apologetic laugh. “Windsor pizza is just regular pizza – I like the crust/sauce/topping ratio.”

Spoken like a practical, measured, assertive business leader in the making.