Manufacturing Council
Andra Rush
Andra Rush
Andra Rush, a Native American woman, is the founder, president and chief executive officer of the Rush Group, a Minority Business Enterprise, which includes Rush Trucking Corporation and Dakkota Integrated Systems, LLC. This consortium of manufacturing, trucking, assembly and distribution is one of the largest Native American-owned businesses in the USA.
Based in Wayne, Michigan, Ms. Rush started Rush Trucking in 1984 with three trucks and has successfully grown the company to include more than 800 tractors and 1,350 trailers, with 350 employees and 900 associates. Rush Trucking services many Fortune 100 companies throughout North America.
Dakkota Integrated Systems, launched in 2002, is a joint venture between Intier Automotive Interiors and Rush Group, LLC. It was created to efficiently and effectively service original equipment manufacturers, providing complete automotive systems such as those for cockpits, overheads, doors, and HVAC.
In 2012, Ms. Rush launched Detroit Manufacturing Systems, LLC (DMS), a joint venture between Rush Group Ltd, LLC and Faurecia, which manufactures and assembles automotive interior components in the City of Detroit.
Ms. Rush serves numerous organizations on boards and commissions, including the Minority Business Roundtable, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the Detroit Economic Club, Child Safe, Current Motor, the Michigan Women's Foundation, the Downtown Detroit Partnership, and the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council. She is a part of the minority supplier programs for GM, Ford, Chrysler and Toyota, serving on the Supplier Advisory Boards for Chrysler and GM. She is also an appointee for the Children's Trust Fund.
Ms. Rush has received many honors. She was given the 2002 Pioneer Award from the Minority Enterprise Development group, a 2004 Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from the Minority Business Roundtable, the 2002 Diamond Award from the Michigan Minority Business Development Council, the 2007-2008 Woman of the Year Award from the Native American Chamber of Commerce, and the 2008 Spirit Award from the Native American Business Alliance, in addition to many other recognitions. In 2012, Ms. Rush received the JVS Business Leadership Award, the Michigan Women's Foundation Women of Achievement and Courage Award, and the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Amigo Award. She was also entered into the WBE Hall of Fame, was recognized as Crain's Detroit 2012 News Maker of the Year, and was featured in a Crain's Detroit Women Profile in Courage. In 2013, she was recognized with an Urban Wheel Award for Native American Supplier of the Year.
Ms. Rush has a Bachelor of Arts in Nursing (1982) from the University of Michigan. She has three sons.
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