VP wins alumni award

J.D. Power Westlake Village resident James D. Power IV, whose company has become synonymous with customer satisfaction and service, was honored for his career achievementsby the University of San Diego on May 6.

Power, who earned a bachelor's degree in history from USD in 1985, received the Author E. Hughes Award for Career Achievement. Hughes was USD's president from 1971 to 1995.

As a child, Power helped tape quarters to customer surveys to build the company founded by his father. He is now executive vice president of international operations at J.D. Power and Associates, which measures customer satisfaction throughout Asia, Europe and North and SouthAmerica.

Last year, J.D. Power and Associates became a business unit of the McGraw-Hill Cos. Also in 2005, Power co-authored the firm's first book "Satisfaction," which helps explain the secrets of building profitable companies through excellence in customer service. "Satisfaction" hit the bookshelves in February.

A member of the Board of Regents at California Lutheran University, Power is also very active in raising funds to fight multiple sclerosis.