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Sid E. Taylor founded S.E.T Steel, Inc., in 1989 after leaving a management position with General Motors. Through his dynamic leadership, the company attained Q1 status from Ford Motor Company, ISO 9002, and QS 9000 which is transitioning to TS 16949 certification. In 2001 S.E.T. expanded to become a full-service provider of metal processing when it purchased Noble Metal Forming and Noble Metal Processing-Midwest and formed a strategic alliance with Noble International Ltd. In January 2001, S.E.T. Steel became SET Enterprises, Inc. Mr. Taylor has been successful in founding and developing companies due to his outstanding leadership style which stresses excellence, customer service, employee empowerment and continuous improvement of processes and products. This ability to inspire others to success first became apparent while serving as a U.S. Marine in the Vietnam Conflict. As he fought in the jungles of Vietnam, his fellow soldiers instinctively followed him and emulated his ability to forge ahead through difficulties and fears. The loss of some of his fellow marines in that war strengthened his determination to lead a life that would serve as an example to others. Nowhere has this been more apparent than in his commitment to community service. Several of Taylor's businesses are located in the economically challenged Renaissance and Empowerment Zones of the City of Detroit. He hires employees from the surrounding areas and forges relationships with community leaders and residents. In 1997, Mr. Taylor founded the Intervale, Cloverdale, Lyndon, Livernois Industrial Park Association (ICLL) with a group of business owners, community leaders, government representatives and residents ready to take action. The association has cleaned up and beautified the 100-acre industrial park, begun an employment pool for residents. In addition Mr. Taylor has established a scholarship program for area high school students, Real Life 101 Scholarship Fund (www.ICLLRealLife.org). Each year at risk under privileged students are provided with scholarship funds for 5 years, a 5 year mentoring program and laptop computers. Thus far this scholarship fund has awarded over 134 scholarships to students of the Detroit Public Schools System. Mr. Taylor shows his commitment to his employees and customers through several programs he established. His "Buy What You Build" program provided employee rebates of (continued next column) Sid E. Taylor President and CEO, SET Enterprises, Inc. $250 when they purchased vehicles that contained parts manufactured by SET Enterprises. He also established "Feed the Needy," a employee giving program, that provided complete Thanksgiving dinners for 250 families. Mr. Taylor's innovation within his organization and the community at large has not gone unnoticed. In 2001, he was named the Ernst and Young Michigan Entrepreneur of the Year in the manufacturing category. The award celebrates entrepreneurs who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses. Mr. Taylor was elected president of the National Association of Black Automotive Suppliers (NABAS) in 2003. Prior to becoming president of the organization, he served as president of their Scholarship Fund. Mr. Taylor is also a certified member of the Michigan Minority Business Development Council, the National Minority Supplier Development Council Corporate Plus Program, the NAACP, the Economic Club of Detroit, the Detroit Golf Club and various other organizations. In addition Mr. Taylor serves as an Advisory Board Member of Jackson State University, Jackson, MS and was recently appointed to a three year term as a Board Member for the local YMCA in Warren, MI. | 