Fred Bauer was the Chief Executive Officer of Gentex Corporation from 2000 until his retirement at the end of 2017. He holds a degree in Business Administration and has been central to the company's success in automotive technology, particularly in...

Fred Bauer was the Chief Executive Officer of Gentex Corporation from 2000 until his retirement at the end of 2017. He holds a degree in Business Administration and has been central to the company's success in automotive technology, particularly in designing and manufacturing advanced driver assistance systems. During his tenure, Gentex saw impressive growth, and Fred’s leadership style emphasized aligning the interests of executives with shareholders. In his last compensation package in 2016, he earned $683,344, which included a substantial bonus based on company performance metrics like EBITDA and earnings per share. An interesting detail about his retirement is the unique arrangement that allowed him to stay connected with the company using his extensive industry experience while receiving a pension and continued payments over several years. Under Fred's guidance, the company's stock holdings peaked at $201.50 million in early 2021, showcasing his influence and the strong performance of Gentex during his leadership. Throughout his 40 years of experience in the industry, Fred became known for his down-to-earth approach and practical insights into management and company growth.