MBA Alumni

Baker Grad Leads GoodYear Plant

As the oldest of four sons in a close-knit family, Billy Taylor, MBA ’06, was a natural-born leader.

After his siblings stopped tagging along with their big brother in their neighborhood in Fort Worth, Texas, Taylor thrived on his own. He confidently became comfortable in leadership roles as a crew chief at a grocery store and a team captain in sports.

Taylor is now a leader of a much bigger group. Since mid-December he has been plant manager of Goodyear’s North American tire plant in Lawton, Okla. The plant, which specializes in high-performance tires and has a workforce of 2,700 employees, is the largest single producer of tires in the world, turning out 65,000 tires a day.

“I have always wanted to be in the forefront,” Taylor said. “I think that came from being the first son in our family. My brothers followed my lead and they all went to Prairie View A&M University after me.”

Taylor joined Goodyear in 1989 at the Freeport, Ill., plant, where he held several production management positions, including area manager, production specialist, manufacturing team leader and business center manager.

The Baker experience has been positive for Taylor, who lives in Lawton with his wife, Rachel, and two children, Alexis, 11, and Alexander, 6. “I evaluated several programs before making my decision,” Taylor said. “I had the opportunity to monitor some classrooms in Topeka. I thought it was the best choice for me from an educational standpoint and practical standpoint. They present information in a way that you absorb and retain it. At Goodyear I’ve had to have extensive understanding of financials, how they work and interconnect. I was able to go back to what I learned in class and apply it immediately. It’s been a wonderful and prosperous experience.”

Flourishing in management his entire professional career is due to more than crunching numbers. Taylor credits much of his success to relating to co-workers.

“You must have integrity when you’re dealing with people,” he said. “You have to live up to your word as a leader, establish clear expectations of an objective and what you’re trying to accomplish.”

Pete Stobie, assistant dean of administration at the School of Professional and Graduate Studies, worked closely with Taylor in a managerial finance and executive leadership course. Taylor’s management background benefited Stobie’s class.“Billy made our class better because of his experiences,” Stobie said. “Our program is about real-life work experience.

In keeping with his desire for professional growth, Taylor someday hopes to pursue a career in international business.

“The world is moving to globalization and I think I need that tool, a better understanding of globalization and how international businesses function,” he said. “Baker has provided me with the tools that are very much needed to achieve my personal and professional goals.”