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Thorsten Koseck

Thorsten KoseckThorsten Koseck is an operations executive, engineering professional and advocate of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.

As Director of General Motors (GM) of Canada’s body shop operations in Oshawa, Ontario, he oversees the assembly process up to where the vehicle is welded together, but before it is painted and the engine, trim and moving parts are installed. In 2012, he began the process of engineering the workflows for Oshawa’s new $350 million Flex Plant. He put in place the standards, quality controls and operational processes to shift GM’s traditional assembly methods to a new layered-assembly approach, where vehicles are manufactured from the inside-out. He also instituted preventive maintenance programs to minimize production downtime and to optimize equipment lifespan. The efficiency improvements he implemented enabled the facility to achieve several million dollars in savings each year. 

Thorsten has served on a number of boards, including:

  • Lakeridge Health’s Board of Trustees – board member (since 2006), first Vice-Chair (2008) and Chair (2012)
  • Queen’s University Design Engineering Board – member from 2009 to 2012
  • Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Board of Directors – Chair of Math and Science (1997 to 1999), Vice-Chair (1999 to 2001) and Chair (2001 to 2004)
  • SAE’s World in Motion I and II Programs – Chair (1995 to 1997) 

His community involvement includes:

  • Town of Bowmanville’s Environment Assessment Committee (since 2004)
  • Clarington Watershed Committee (since 2004)
  • Technical Advisor with TVO’s Virtual Classroom (1998 to 2002)
  • Ontario Street School Council (2005 to 2009)
  • Fundraising Volunteer with the United Way (1989 to 1991)
  • Big Brother (1985 to 1991)
  • Volunteer Firefighter (1989 to 1994) 

He has received numerous awards and honours from SAE, the Conference Board of Canada, The Learning Partnership and the Durham Board of Education. 

Thorsten holds a PhD in International Business Management from the University of Windsor, a Master of Science Management from Kettering University (previously known as the GMI Engineering and Management Institute), and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering from Queen’s University.  He is also a Licensed Professional Engineer (Professional Engineers of Ontario) and a Certified Quality Engineer (American Society for Quality).