Stephen J. Surhigh
VP & GM, Automotive Cloud Services
Harman International
How In-Vehicle User Experience Changes with Autonomous Vehicles
Autonomous vehicles create new opportunities for automakers to reshape the in-vehicle experience. As vehicles move closer to full autonomy, drivers have more opportunities to redirect attention to other productivity and entertainment options. With varying states of vehicle autonomy, automakers, retailers and new car ownership options will able to further differentiate from competitors and increase overall customer satisfaction by offering consumers a choice of in-vehicle audio brand experiences and seamless connectivity.
About Stephen J. Surhigh
Stephen L. Surhigh is Vice President and General Manager, Automotive Cloud Services for Harman International. He leads business development for Harman’s Automotive Cloud Services business unit that focuses on data exchange between vehicles and the cloud. He has over 30 years of operations, sales and management consulting experience and has led cloud-based implementations for a substantial number of Automotive Manufacturers and Suppliers.
Previously, Mr. Surhigh was the Vice President, Automotive Solutions for Compuware Corporation. In this role, Mr. Surhigh was the global lead responsible for sales and delivery of Compuware products and services to auto manufacturers and Tier One suppliers. Mr. Surhigh previously managed business development for a technology service provider where he established outsourcing engagements with UPS, HP, Microsoft, Apple, Coca-Cola, Miller Brewing, Sears, Nike, The Gap, JPMorganChase, Bank of America, Deutsche Bank, Prudential, PG&E, Sempra Energy, SunAmerica, Harley-Davidson, GlaxoSmithKline, and many other Global 2000 companies. While in this role, Mr. Surhigh led all marketing, sales and channel management activities focused on the acquisition of new business. In other roles, Mr. Surhigh combined his financial and technical expertise to define new products and services, expand into new markets, restructure unprofitable business segments, and improve operational and administrative support processes.
Previously as a consultant for PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Mr. Surhigh focused on improving the business performance of technology-based organizations through more effective project management and capital investment. His assignments included leading the installation and customization of an ERP application and managing numerous technology deployment programs.