Alumni Excellence Academy Inductee 2016

Robert R. Corrion

'64, BS Industrial Engineering

'71, MS Industrial Supervision

 

Robert grew up in Macomb County, MI north of Detroit. After graduating from high school, he attended Lawrence Technical Institute. He then transferred to Western Michigan University to get a two-year associate’s degree in air conditioning and refrigeration. He stayed on to receive a B.S. Degree in Industrial Distribution and later, a Master’s Degree in Industrial Supervision.

His first job was in sales with Morse Chain Company, a division of Borg Warner in Ithaca, NY. After assignments in Cincinnati and Toronto, Robert moved to Philadelphia where he worked with a sales representative firm. The products were mechanical transmission and hydraulic components. 

His outside sales led him to Koolant Koolers in Portage. Robert’s success was not in selling the owner his products, but instead, purchasing the company in 1980. There were four employees at the time. By 1998, the company had grown to 115 employees and had relocated to Kalamazoo. The decision was then made to sell the company.

During the past 18 years, Robert’s involvement has been in the development and leasing of industrial properties.  He and Rhea moved to Bonita Springs, Florida in 2002.  They have a son in Ft. Myers, Florida, and a son and wife in Phoenix, Arizona.  Robert enjoy tennis, fishing, and traveling.