Code,500019
Subject,M. Ahuja
Date,8/4/14
Interviewer,Joe Wickens
Abstract,"This interview was conducted as part of Cleveland State University's 50th Anniversary Comemmoration effort. M. Ahuja currently the CEO of Mura Holdings and founder of the Transtar automotive distribution company. Ahuja was born in India and emigrated to the United States in 1968 after recieving a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering. He emigrated in order to pursue a masters degree in mechanical engineering at The Ohio State University. After he completed his degree at OSU he entered the PhD program there but the funding was pulled so he relocated to the Cleveland area for work. At this time he decided to earn an MBA and enrolled at CSU. During his time at CSU he developed a business plan as part of his coursework for a class that would eventually become the extremely successful automotive distribution company Transtar. In this interview Ahuja traces the trajectory of his life, detailing his time at OSU and CSU all while working full time. He describes the course that he took where he developed Transtars business plan, relating how the company was able to grow into the largest in its field in the country. Ahuja was also a member of CSU's board of trustees, serving as chairman for six years, and he relates what that experience was like for him. He also describes his philanthropic interest and how he became so heavily involved with University Hospitals and reengaged with CSU after a period of disconnection. "
Special Notes,Phone rings at 30:39 mark. 
Minutes,
0,Introduction. 
1,Description of first day in the US. Was going to begin studying at OSU during the winter quarter in January. Had received an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering in India before emigrating. Was thrilled to have opportunity to study at OSU in the US.
2,Discussion of differences between studying in college than and now. What he knew of education in US was by hear say. Joining OSU in the winter quarter was a mistake.
3,Didnt anticipate the cold weather. It was awkward to start a new educational system midway through the school year. There was also a language barrier even though he knew English well.
4,"It was extremely cold, the winter 1968 was unusually cold. System/method of education was different. ""I can look back and think of how difficult it was but those are the type of challenges you have to deal with to succeed in life."" "
5,"""I got to the task rather quickly because there was no other choice."" Following graduation he didnt immediately attend CSU. Tried to find a job first. The law allowed a 1.5 year visa to find a job."
6,Following Vietnam it was difficult to find work. Emplyoyers didnt feel 18 months was a worthwhile investment to train recent graduates. Needed to obtain work though to get visa so it was a bit of a catch-22.
7,In order to stay in the country he started in mechanical engineering PhD program at OSU. In the middle of the program the research funding was cancelled. Back on the same boat again.
8,Had worked one summer in Cleveland in 1971 and made a contact with that company. He did ultimately land a job with them and signed an 18 month training visa. Ambition had changed from pure engineering to management.
9,"Decided to go to business school while working for this company. Company was based in Bedford and was in automotive industry. Degree was in automotive/internal combustion so the job was attractive. ""It fit very well in my desire."" President was very supportive of going to business school. "
10,"Joined CSU in 1972. Downtown was not a welcoming place to be, particularly at night when his classes were held. Lived in Hudson at the time because his wife taught at KSU and it was also closer to jhis ob in Bedford."
11,"""Campus was somewhat unfriendly."" Difficulty parking. Freeways were not as pervasive as they are now and the commute from Hudson, particularly during the winter, was tough. Worked 8am-5pm, would go to class from 6pm-10pm and would get home 11pm-11:30pm. ""It was a challenging time at best."""
12,"Was driven to complete the MBA. Wife was a huge support and helped greatly during that time. Graduated in 1975. ""It was one of the happiest days of my life because it was over."" Could return to a normal life. Was only married a few years when he started at CSU and didnt really have opportunity to enjoy being married. "
13,"Decided not to start a family until after he finished MBA. ""1975 was the hallmark of my life."" The option to start a business came up at the same time. "
14,Started a business a month after graduation. Was taking a class in entreprenuership during last quarter at CSU and part of the course was developing a business plan for a hypothetical business. Chose the automotive industry since he had access to information and experience with the field. 
15,"The plan was fairly practical and good. The professor was Dr. Susbauer and he asked Ahuja if he was serious because he thought it was a good plan for an academic program. ""I got an A grade on the assignment."" The encouragement he received made him think about it."
16,"He was young and inexperienced. Decided to explore moving forward with it. ""With some luck, hard work, and creative partnerships I was able to put a plan together with just two employees. Describes company. "
17,"Company started on April 1, 1975. It was a joke because of the date. Everybody thought the whole thing was foolish. ""I thought maybe 'll make a fool of myself if not everybody else."" Feels blessed and happy that that little company became a great success. Became largest company in the field in the US."
18,Not only largest but best still to this day. Gives a lot of credit to the culture of the US. The business plan was hypothetical.
19,"Wasnt thinking of actually pursuing the plan after graduation. ""It was an academic exercise and I was just interested in graduating."" It was not just imagination, it did have practical foundation. Followed plan for a year or two. The plan for the assignment wasnt ambitious, it was for a small business. "
20,"Plan didnt include major investment or broad footprint. Began to see the success. Most businesses fail in first five years. ""We not only survived, we were almost thriving after five years."" Was cash profitable after first year. "
21,"Second year was even more profitable. ""Business plan wasnt a benchmark, it was a discipline or approach."" "
22,"The plan evolved. The plan provided structure. When he came to OSU his area of interest was automotive. Wanted to work in automotive industry. ""US was the icon of the world at that time."""
23,"""It didnt materialize for me."" The concept of what the engineering was when he was in India was different. It was more research than he thought. It wasnt building engines. "
24,"Had no interest in researching fuel economy. ""I pictured myself working on the floor in a big company developing new cars."" That was why he lost interest and chose to pursue an MBA as a result. First job made him realize he would be more comfortable on management side of the business."
25,Discussion of how a companies choose location of headquaters. 
26,"Was building a life in Cleveland. Children were born here. There was no thought of leaving. Actually had some job opportunities but passed because Cleveland had become his home. Moving was never a thought. ""And as I saw it, Cleveland was just as good a city as any from a business standpoint."" "
27,Many companies would choose to be more centrally located but that wasnt a concern of Transtar. Communication technology makes location of headquaters less important. 
28,There are also lots of advantages in Cleveland including cost of living and healthcare that also make Cleveland an appealing location for headquaters. These outscore the benefits of different locations. Became friends with Gov. Voinovich.
29,"Was given opportunity to serve and actually suggested he would like to serve on CSU board. He was Voinovich's first appointment. ""It was nostalgic."" ""I didnt have my feet on the ground when I attended so to have the opportunity to serve on the board was an honor."" "
30,"Entered board as a grateful member. Had served on other boards prior to CSU but CSU became his passion. Situation at the time was very unstable. A number of changes were taking place and there were a lot of concerns. ""I actually got myself overly engaged right in the first year."" "
31,"Didnt become a ""meeting only"" member. Wanted to understand the issues at CSU. Shared concerns privately with Chairman Goodman. Was only on the board one year before being asked to serve as Chairman himself."
32,"""The thought was way beyond my comfort level or expectation."" ""I was a CEO of a privately owned company and was very apprehensive."" Was actually overwhelmed and appalled. It was scary."
33,Ruth Miller and Goodman both assured him that the board would support him. Did accept the position. Style of working made him feel like he was running two businesses. 
34,"Was at CSU a lot, meeting with people trying to improve things. ""I had great support from the other board members."" Served as Chairman for six years. ""It was an experience I will carry with me for the rest of my life."" "
35,Left the board at CSU and served on a few other boards immediately following CSU departure.
36,"""Nothing really reached inside me as a passion like CSU."" Approached by a friend to serve on University Hospitals board. ""It seemed to me a great opportunity to development another passion in healthcare."" "
37,Devoted total attention to UH. Board recognized this and named him Vice-Chairman. New UH CEO Tom Zanti and Ahuja developed strong friendship. Both had strong vision for UH.
38,Vision 2010 Plan was a 5 year plan and involved an investment of over $1 Billion. Was very successful. Facility in Beachwood was a key part of the plan. 
39,"While driving on I-271 with Zanti and Shelly Edlelman they mentioned it would be nice see his name on the hospital. ""They must have been conspiring with each other."" It was overwhelming, much like the offer to be on CSUs board. Asked what it would take to make that happen. Rejected it initially. Had just sold his business."
40,"Financially was capable of making the contribution. Also had the passion for UH and started to seriously consider it. Talked with family about the idea of doing it. ""Everybodys response was why not?"" "
41,"Family support convinced him to make the donation to rename Beachwood UH facility. Feels very fortunate to have been able to do so. ""This is our town and having our family name on something like this will be greatly appreciated by my children, grandchildren and beyond."" "
42,"""Hopefully in the future Ill be able to do more."" "
43,Has a great admiration for President Ron Berkman. Had been disconnected to from CSU for a number of years and Berkman reached out to him. He was a big reason why he contributed to CSU to have the business college named in his honor. 
44,Berkman and Ahuja have developed a great relationship. Ahuja is not on the board but is also not looking for it. They bounce ideas off each other often.
45,Having the experience he has makes talking with Berkman easier. Credit for new NEOMED campus goes to President Berkman. Ahuja did suggest that a new building be constructed rather than placing the program in an existing building. Feels the medical field is the future of Northeast Ohios economy. 
46,"The development of the program will have a tremendous impact on the region. ""I think the 50th anniversary of CSU is a major milestone."" Relates that when he joined the university it was very young. Praise for Ron Berkman. ""I absolutely love driving through campus now."" "
47,"Hopes that Berkman continues to see success. ""I see CSU as a great jewel for the community and hope that everybody recognizes the value that CSU provides to the community at-large."" *END OF INTERVIEW*"