Detroit Automotive Industry Panel

Text on a highway background reads: "Driving Through Uncertainty. Financial Advisors navigate change. April 30, 2025. Detroit, Michigan.

Thank you for attending the Detroit Automotive Industry Panel, Automotive Industry: Driving Through Uncertainty. We hope the event was informative and valuable.

The content on this page is a sample of the insights that Capstone Partners regularly produces to keep business owners, advisors, and investors advised of current trends and issues.

We will be sending event attendees periodic updates as we release new insights relevant to stakeholders in the global automotive supply chain. If you would like to receive additional industry updates, please visit our subscription center.

Bonus Content

Beyond Tariffs: Detroit Automotive Industry Panel Explores Multiple Challenges Facing Businesses in the Global Supply Chain – key takeaways from the panel discussion in Detroit, Michigan
Automotive Industry Outlook: Tariffs are Here, What Now? Presented by Mike Wall, Executive Director of Automotive Analysis for S&P Global Mobility at the Detroit Automotive Industry Panel, April 30, 2025

Meet Our Panel

Dr. Donald R. James - CEO, Solero Technologies

Dr. Donald R. James is the Chief Executive Officer of Solero Technologies, a leading global tier-one supplier of solenoids, control modules and actuator technology for the automotive and industrial sectors. Dr. James brings over 25 years of automotive industry leadership. He also served as the President of the Americas at Joyson Safety Systems and in global leadership positions primarily related to automotive safety technology development and production at Continental AG and Federal-Mogul Corporation. Dr. James earned a Doctorate in Business focused on Sustainability and a Master’s in Business Administration from Lawrence Technological University, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Michigan. In addition to his role at Solero, Dr. James has served on the Board of Directors of Saia, Inc (NASDAQ:SAIA) since 2021, a fortune 1000 company and top ten LTL carrier in North America.

Dan Laible - Executive Vice President and CFO, NYX, Inc.

Dan Liable serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of NYX, Inc.

Since 1989, NYX has set a standard for excellence as a designer and manufacturer of automotive interior systems. Key capabilities include: automotive interior systems, plastic injection molding and ancillary processes, assembly, sequencing, design, program management, tool & fixture design and fabrication. NYX has 18 world-wide facilities, and 5,000+ employees. Dan has 25 years of executive experience in human resources, legal affairs, and finance, including: mergers and acquisitions, capital structures, turn around management, risk management, international trade, currency strategies, and cash management.

Vanessa Miller - Automotive Team Chair, Foley & Lardner

Vanessa Miller is a litigation partner with Foley & Lardner LLP and Chair of the firm’s national Automotive Team, as well as on the advisory committee of the firm’s Manufacturing Sector. She served as a former chair of the Detroit office’s Litigation Department. Vanessa’s practice focuses on a wide array of supply chain disputes, including breach of contract and warranty claims, automotive supply chain issues and maintaining continuity of supply, defending manufacturers against class actions, trade secret misappropriation claims and business torts. Recognized as a nationally ranked top lawyer by Chambers for Transportation: Road (Automotive) for the past two years, showcasing her deep expertise and leadership in the field.

Vanessa has successfully managed, litigated and tried cases in state and federal courts, as well as handled appellate proceedings. She has significant experience handling complex international arbitrations in various venues, including the Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the American Arbitration Association (AAA), the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services Inc. (JAMS) and the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC). Vanessa also has represented clients in commercial mediations, resulting in early resolution of legal disputes and creative business solutions for parties continuing to do business together.

In addition to her litigation, international arbitration and mediation experience, Vanessa regularly counsels clients on various commercial contracts, supply chain agreements, supply chain shortages, force majeure issues, pricing disputes and related negotiations.

Vanessa Miller authored Law of the Automotive and Manufacturing Supply Chain: A Handbook for Success, exploring the supply chain as the foundation of globalization. Divided into five sections, the handbook examines issues and strategies inherent in the automotive and manufacturing supply chain. Each section identifies and discusses the challenges faced by both the buyers procuring the components and materials necessary to make a company’s products and the sellers who promote and sell their products in the marketplace. To request a copy click here. Prior to joining Foley, Vanessa was a law clerk to the Honorable Patrick J. Duggan, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Sheryl Toby - Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Manufacturing Supply Chain Partner, Dykema Gossett

The intersection of business and the law, of practical advice and creative solutions, is where you’ll find Sheryl Toby.

Whether guiding manufacturers through novel and complex operational, procurement, and supply chain issues or protecting her clients’ interests in bankruptcy and restructuring matters, Sheryl delivers the skilled counsel that consistently leads to positive, cost-effective business outcomes.

In both traditional and advanced technology manufacturing, Sheryl works closely with purchasing groups, in-house legal, finance, and other business teams to develop effective strategies that address the full spectrum of supply chain challenges they face daily. By utilizing her legal skills and daily hands-on experience in the manufacturing arena, she seeks to help clients find business solutions to the legal challenges raised.

Sheryl’s experience spans matters like the development of unique collaborative agreements in advanced vehicle manufacturing, front-end procurement, contracting best practices, as well as addressing “stop-ship,” financially troubled suppliers, and other litigation threats.

She is often called upon to strategize with and lead experts in various disciplines to address unique challenges companies face in highly regulated industries. Her ability to quickly identify the root cause of disruptions facilitates equally swift mitigation of the risks they pose, saving her clients time, money, and frustration.

As a prominent bankruptcy and restructuring attorney, Sheryl is known for her creativity and tenacity on behalf of creditors, debtors, and lenders who find themselves addressing precarious financial situations. She has decades of experience as lead counsel in numerous significant bankruptcy cases throughout the country.

Sheryl is also a frequent speaker and media consultant in her fields.

Linda Watson - Chair, Automotive & Manufacturing Industry Group, Clark Hill

Linda Watson, Chair of the firm’s Automotive and Manufacturing Industry group, represents businesses and public corporations in business and commercial litigation, supply chain matters, contractual actions, property issues, and copyright and trademark law.

Linda has significant trial experience as lead counsel in state and federal court, as well as in arbitrations and other dispute venues. Her clients include some of the most innovative companies and manufacturers, including automotive suppliers, dedicated to embracing new technologies and strategies to stay steps ahead of an ever-changing landscape. Linda’s practice also includes serving as an arbitrator and a mediator for complex commercial and contractual disputes, She is a certified mediator and has had 40 hours of mediation training.

Linda is the first woman elected by her equity peers to the firm’s Executive Committee and helped to lead the firm in this role through its most significant mergers and growth. Linda also manages the firm’s largest industry practice group and a multi-disciplinary collaborative team focused on helping clients navigate the road ahead. In addition, Linda is the Member in charge of the firm’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives and was instrumental in the firm’s Mansfield Rule Certification Plus.

Linda firmly believes in continuous improvement and growth. She attended Stanford University’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Certificate Program sponsored by the School of Engineering and she is a graduate of the Northwestern University Leading Diversity Equity and Inclusion Certification Program earning her certification to lead DEI in 2020.

In addition, Linda is a graduate of the National Trial Institute for Trial Advocacy, one of the leading institutions for intensive professional training in the art and skills of trial advocacy and was invited by Mathew Bender to be the Content Editor for Michigan Pretrial Civil Procedure a Lexis Nexis Practice Guide first published originally in 2016 and updated in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Moderator: Sheldon Stone - Managing Director, Capstone Partners

Sheldon is a Managing Director with Capstone Partners’ Financial Advisory Services (FAS) group with a special emphasis on Turnaround & Restructuring and Bankruptcy & Insolvency services for stressed and distressed businesses. With more than 35 years of experience, he is a recognized expert at providing financial and strategic solutions to companies in the automotive, energy, building materials, construction, manufacturing, real estate, and retail industries. He represents debtors, creditors and other parties-in-interest and has extensive experience in vendor and customer negotiations, accommodation agreements, debt restructurings and recapitalizations. Sheldon provides assistance in the planning and execution of sell-side processes and the disposition of underperforming assets. He has served as an interim CEO, CRO, and court-appointed Receiver.

Prior to joining Capstone, Sheldon was a Partner and Restructuring Practice Leader with Amherst Partners. Previously, he was a Partner with The Pillar Group LLC, a provider of restructuring and turnaround services to middle market companies which merged with Amherst in 2005. He was a Senior Manager of Consulting Services with Plante Moran, providing strategic planning and turnaround/performance improvement services. Before that, Sheldon held positions of increasing responsibility with DFS Galleria, culminating as General Manager of the Hawaii division. Sheldon started his career as a consultant with Booz, Allen, and Hamilton providing performance improvement and strategic planning services.

Active in his community, Sheldon is a past Chair of the Board of Jewish Family Service of Metropolitan Detroit and serves on organization’s Finance Committee, and is a member of the Business Practices Committee of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit.