Gentex appoints board member

Gentex appoints board member

Kathy Starkoff. Courtesy Gentex

Gentex has named an IT industry consultant to its board of directors.

Zeeland-based Gentex Corporation, a diversified manufacturer, said this week it appointed Kathy Starkoff, founder, president and CEO of Orange Star Consulting, to its board on Sept. 28.

Starkoff will serve a one-year term unless she’s re-appointed.

Gentex currently has eight board members, including Starkoff.

“We are honored and fortunate to have found a board member of Kathy’s caliber,” said Steve Downing, CEO, Gentex. “She gives us the opportunity to bring fresh, thoughtful insights to our technology and strategic priorities. Kathy’s values are in line with Gentex’s, and she shares in our approach of finding and making long-term strategic decisions that will continue our growth trajectory for the benefit of all of our stakeholders.”

Starkoff said she’s “honored and excited” to serve on Gentex’s board.

“I look forward to working with the management team and other members of the board to continue supporting Gentex’s long-term growth strategies,” Starkoff said.

Starkoff’s background

Prior to founding Orange Star Consulting, which consults with IT companies, Starkoff was chief information officer at The Ohio State University, where she was a member of the President’s Council and the university’s Management Committee.

Previously, she served as CTO and group VP of Limited Brands, a $6-billion global retailer, now LBrands.

Starkoff has also served as CTO and SVP at Bank One Corporation, now Chase, where she helped improve the speed and effectiveness of IT in mergers and acquisitions.

Starkoff also serves as board chair of Flying Horse Farms and a board member for the SeriousFun Children’s Network.

She has served as an advisor to the National Science Foundation’s Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure and is past vice chair of Columbus Academy’s board.

She holds a B.S. in mathematics from Kent State University and an M.B.A. from Case Western Reserve University. 

Gentex

Founded in 1974, Gentex Corporation (Nasdaq: GNTX) is a supplier of automatic-dimming rear view mirrors and electronics to the automotive industry, dimmable aircraft windows to the aviation industry and fire-protection products to the fire industry.