Owner and President, Preece Inc.
Spirit of UDM: Alumni Achievement Award
2014
Bio:
"Education lays the foundation for success" is a tenet of Frederick (Fred) M. Seibert ’69, ’73, a successful CEO who received his high school diploma from University of Detroit High School (now University of Detroit Jesuit High School) and his undergraduate and graduate degrees from University of Detroit.
He is an avid supporter of both the University and high school. He met his wife, Suzanne, at University of Detroit, and they married in 1969. Financially challenged as newlyweds, Seibert received a loan from his University of Detroit fraternity to complete his Liberal Arts degree in 1970. He returned to the University to earn an M.B.A. in 1973 while working full time at Ford Motor Company.
He credits his education and good decisions with helping him advance in the workplace. In 1974, Seibert was recruited by Rockwell International Automotive, where he was later promoted to materials manager and transferred to Illinois. He returned to Ford Motor Company in 1977 as a materials planning manager in Milan, Michigan. In 1981, Seibert received an offer to work for Smith Oil Tool Company as director of International Planning and Manufacturing in California.
Three years later, Seibert joined Preece Inc., and worked his way to become president in 1991. Founded in 1961, Preece Inc. began by making fluid and pneumatic components for aeronautics and other industries. It became a full-service manufacturer by producing custom manufactured hose assemblies and allied products. Seibert became the owner and CEO of the company in 2000, and led the company’s growth. Today, Preece’s fluid and pneumatic-related components are used extensively in defense programs and the commercial aerospace market.
Longtime supporters of the University, the Seiberts established an endowed fund in 2010, the "Frederick and Suzanne Seibert Scholarship," to assist junior- and senior-level students in good academic standing with financial need. The Seiberts reside in Coto de Caza, California.
Distinguished graduate of the College of Liberal Arts & Education ’69, ‘73, Mr. Seibert was honored with the Spirit of UDM: Alumni Achievement Award on April 11, 2014.
Citation:
Frederick M. Seibert has had an exemplary 30-year career as the visionary leader of the Preece company’s successful growth as a major manufacturer of fluid and pneumatic components for national defense programs and the commercial aerospace market.
He is an accomplished businessman who credits his undergraduate and graduate degrees with enabling him to advance his management career through increasingly responsible positions with Ford Motor Company, Rockwell International Automotive and Smith Oil Tool Company.
He is a generous contributor of his professional expertise and time to the Association for Corporate Growth, the World Trade Center Organization and the Board of Advisors for University of Detroit Jesuit High School.
A dedicated supporter of educational opportunities for students with financial challenges, he established an endowed scholarship fund for University of Detroit Mercy junior- and senior-level students in good academic standing and with financial need.