September 26, 2012|RECORD STAFF REPORT
As an author, Cole's writings include "African History, Artifacts and Culture," "Art Metal – The Fundamentals of Metalcraft" and teacher aids and textbooks for the Teacher Training Center in Kumba and the Ombe Technical College in Buea, Cameroon. He also co-authored an exploratory case study of the collaboration between teachers of English as a second language and bilingual programs.
• Ernest Rodia (Class of 1961) -- Upon graduating from Havre de Grace High, Ernest Rodia attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering.
In June Rodia, Rodia was hired as a mechanical engineer by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company of Akron, Ohio, where he began an illustrious 37 year career and was selected as lead engineer for Goodyear's entry into radial tires for Ford, General Motors and Chrysler. In the years that followed his promotions and accomplishments included lead engineer for a team that set up radial tire manufacturing throughout North America and Europe; member of management team responsible for technical exchange with Bridgestone Tire of Japan; leader of the manufacturing team for the introduction and development of the industry's first all-season tire, the Goodyear Tempo; director of European manufacturing in Luxembourg where he was responsible for operations in Europe; director of North American operations in Akron; director of operations for the Asia/Pacific region; lead member of search team that purchased Goodyear's first and only operation in China in the city of Dalian; and vice president of Global Engineering and Manufacturing Technology.
During his tenure at Goodyear, Rodia was the recipient of several honors and recognitions including his appointment by the Oklahoma State Legislature to serve as one of eight Regents for Higher Education for the State of Oklahoma and appointment as a board member for the Engineering Advancement Council at Akron University. In 2008, Rodia graduated from the Harvard Advancement Management Program.
After his retirement from Goodyear in 2003, Rodia started a consulting business, TMUS, Inc. In 2004, he returned to Goodyear to serve as plant manager of Farm Tire operations in Freeport, Ill., and retired again in 2005. Ernest then accepted a position with Titan International as executive vice president and chief operating officer until his retirement in 2008. Currently,
Rodia is an engineering and operations consultant for Titan International through TMUS, Inc. His involvement in community activities in the cities where he has lived and worked include the Rotary Club, Little League coach, Chamber of Commerce; "Christmas Kids," where teams of employees adopted underprivileged children for Christmas; "Handicapped Movie Day," a day at the movies for handicapped children and adults; and "Youth Fishing Rodeo," a day of fishing and fun for retirees, employees and their children and grandchildren.
• Lou Ward (Class of 1968) -- After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in 1972, Lou Ward returned to Harford County to manage the Colonel's Choice Restaurant in Aberdeen. He later leased the Holiday Inn Restaurant in Aberdeen.
In 1982, Ward reached his ultimate goal to buy and operate his own restaurant when he purchased the Bayou Restaurant in Havre de Grace. Ward's hard work and dedication to the restaurant and hospitality industry are reflected in the activities in which he is involved and the recognition he has received. These include being nominated for Restaurateur of the Year by the Restaurant Association of Maryland in 1997; helping to establish and serving as President of the Harford County Restaurant Association and initiating the "Taste of Harford County"; serving as Chairman of the Board for the Restaurant Association of Maryland in 2003 and being honored for his dedicated service to the restaurant industry; receiving the Harford Award presented by Harford County Government, Harford County Chamber of Commerce and Harford Community College in 2004; and being inducted into the Restaurant Association of Maryland Hall of Fame in 2007.
