CANTON -- One of SUNY Canton's most successful Automotive Technology graduates will be a featured speaker in the college's Excellence in Leadership Lecture Series.

Mark J. Bondoni, a 1982 alumnus and global remanufacturing and core supply manager for Ford Motor Company, will present "Driving Your Future" at 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, in Nevaldine Hall Room 102. The lecture is free and open to the public.

"Mark is a fantastic example for students and alumni alike," said Michael J. Newtown, dean of the SUNY Canton Canino School of Engineering Technology. "He embodies the college's slogan 'Great majors that lead to great careers.' He demonstrates what can be done by linking enthusiasm for a subject with the ambition to succeed."

Bondoni has held numerous positions during his 32-year career with Ford. One of his many notable successes came when he was parts and service manager at Ford's Caribbean and Latin America District. He developed and launched a parts shipment initiative that slashed delivery time to Puerto Rico from 23 to 4 days.

He also served as the company's NASCAR motorsports manager. He helped link his alma mater with Elliott Sadler, who raced a Ford at the time. Early SUNY Canton commercials featured the famous driver prominently and a hood from one of the cars is on display in the college's automotive labs.

The SUNY Canton Alumni Association named Bondoni as distinguished alumnus at the college's 2004 commencement.