Wayne State electrical engineering alumnus becomes Formula 1 Racing Team COO
"Thus, George Szafnauer, a Romanian-American, found himself stuck behind the Iron Curtain in the 1950s. It was the Cold War, and the Romanian government refused to recognize his U.S. citizenship, so he was not allowed to leave. He attempted to escape, was caught and put in prison.
"The key to success when you do not have all the resources of the big boys is to outsmart them."
Fortunately, soon afterward, an agreement was reached to normalize relations between Romania and the United States. George was released and given his U.S. passport. Three months later the family moved to Warren, Michigan.
Kids adapt quickly and George's son, Romanian-born Otmar, attended high school in Sterling Heights, Michigan, before going on to study electrical engineering at Wayne State University."