People/Career - Tech Blog
GM's Lieblein promoted to VP of Global Purchasing
She began her career as a co-op student at General Motors Assembly Division in Los Angeles more than 30 years ago, and now Grace Lieblein is GM Vice President of Global Purchasing and Supply Chain. Previously, she was President and Managing Director of GM Brazil, overseeing the launch of nine new products in 15 months. Prior to that, she was President and Managing Director of GM Mexico—the first woman to serve in this role. Manager of GM’s Desert Proving Ground in Arizona and Director of Engineering Design for GM’s North America Car Group are among the other positions Lieblein has held. She earned a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) in 1983 and a master's degree in management–materials/logistics from Michigan State University in 1987.
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In addition to her GM responsibilities, Grace Lieblein serves on the Honeywell International Board of Directors.
Toyota Technical Center promotes two engineers
Toyota Technical Center (TTC) on Dec. 19 announced the promotion of engineers Andrew Lund and Kristen Tabar. Lund moves from Executive Program Manager to Chief Engineer for the Toyota Sienna. He came to TTC in 1992 and joined the Sienna team in 2000 as Program Manager before being promoted to Executive Program Manager for the model. Tabar steps up from General Manager, Electrical Systems-2 to Vice President, Electrical Systems Engineering. She was promoted to her current position in 2010 and in that position was responsible for the design and development of multimedia and telematics, including component, systems, and vehicle applications for Lexus and Toyota models. Both earned engineering bachelor's degrees from the University of Michigan and are members of SAE International. The promotions are effective Jan. 7. 2013.
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Andrew Lund and Kristen Tabar.
IAV Automotive Engineering looks to hire engineers in 2013
IAV Automotive Engineering expects to continue experiencing strong growth in U.S. next year and will hire an additional 40 engineers to do so. The company recently announced that sales have increased by more than 50% every year since 2009, when it opened its new headquarters in Northville, MI. For 2013, it expects revenues to have quadrupled since 2010. Part of the global IAV Group, IAV Automotive Engineering is an engineering consultancy serving the automotive industry. It received an AEI Tech Award (click here to see article) earlier this year for its work in hybrid powertrain research.
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Schematic of a parallel hybrid architecture with two electrical axles.
Eaton sponsors University of Michigan’s Multidisciplinary Design Program
Eaton Corp. will provide opportunities for University of Michigan students to work on relevant, hands-on projects as a sponsor of the university’s Multidisciplinary Design Program (MDP). The MDP challenges students to solve problems and create breakthroughs for sponsoring industries through multidiscipline team collaboration. Eaton will work with MDP faculty members to present project challenges to student teams, along with predetermined financial and business resources to support their efforts. For the first MDP project, a student team will focus on developing a robust, predictive, and validated fire-resistance model for Eaton’s high-performance quick-disconnect products. Quick-disconnects are self-sealing couplings that enable fast, easy, and reliable connections and disconnections of lube oil, coolant, hydraulic, and fuel systems for a wide range of commercial and military aircraft. Students will use the model to create new product designs with enhanced fire-resistance capability.
Top 100 Global Innovators list includes seven automotive companies
The automotive industry was more than twice as innovative in 2012 than it was in 2011, according to the 2012 Top 100 Global Innovators list compiled by the IP & Science unit of Thomson Reuters. The full report released Dec. 4 listing the awards and describing the selection methodology is available here. Automotive companies on the Top 100 list are Delphi, Ford, Honda, Jatco, Renault, Toyota, and Valeo. Of those, only Ford acknowledged the honor in a press release, saying that its engineers and researchers "have come through recently with nearly 500 patents granted for hybrid-electric vehicle technology." Ford's developments related to improving vehicle fuel efficiency have also yielded more than 25 patent applications for the controls for Auto Start-Stop, 125 patents for EcoBoost engine technology, as well as the SmartGauge instrument cluster and EcoGuide driver coaching system. Ford credits much of its innovation to its Employee Patent Incentive Awards; invention submissions are up 60% since its launch. Companies that do business in the automotive industry but are listed under non-automotive categories in the Top 100 include Eaton, Denso, General Electric, Goodyear, Michelin, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Scania, and Siemens.
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Ford's hybrid vehicle development group helped put the automaker among the Top-100 Innovation leaders. Ming Kuang, Technical Leader, Vehicle Controls, Electrification Research and Advanced Engineering, has helped grow Ford’s hybrid patent portfolio from 10 in 2000. His name is on 40 of Ford’s nearly 500 hybrid-related patents.
Dana officer elected OESA Board of Directors Chair
Dana Chief Strategy Officer Jacqueline "Jacqui" Dedo has been elected Chair of the Board of the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA) for the 2012-13 term. She has been on the OESA board for more than six years, serving as Vice Chair for the 2011-12 term. As Chief Strategy Officer at Dana, she is responsible for leading the development and delivery of the company's global business plans across its four business units: Light Vehicle Driveline Technologies, Commercial Vehicle Driveline Technologies, Off-Highway Driveline Technologies, and Power Technologies. She serves or has served on many boards, including SAE International and Kettering University, from which she graduated with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. Previous employers include Timken, Motorola, Covisint, Robert Bosch, and Cadillac.
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Jacqueline Dedo joined Dana in 2008 after more than 20 years occupying leadership roles in the automotive industry.
SAE introduces certification for engineers involved in vehicle electrification
SAE International announced Nov. 14 that it will implement a personnel certification program that enables engineers, product development technicians, and associated personnel to earn a certificate of competency or certification in the area of vehicle electrification (VE). Through a process that engaged a group of auto industry subject-matter experts, a VE body of knowledge was developed and segmented into three distinct levels to meet the needs of specific personnel. Exam questions were generated to align with the body of knowledge to address each of the three levels. The VE Fundamentals and Safety Certificate of Competency is designed for individuals who require training and validation of knowledge in general electrified vehicle architectures, basic electricity and electronics, and critical safety precautions and procedures. Job roles include manufacturing personnel, procurement, sales, management, and engineering undergraduate students. This credential requires completing an online training course and passing an online exam. The VE Professional Certification level, due to launch in February 2013, is designed for individuals to validate mastery of knowledge in general VE safety and all major VE systems. Job roles include engineers, technicians, and other technical personnel assigned to electrified vehicle platforms but not involved with direct design of VE systems. Passing an online exam results in certification that remains in force for three years. The VE Engineer/Scientist Certification level will launch in March 2013 and is for individuals to validate mastery of knowledge in the science and design of all major VE systems. Job roles include engineers and R&D scientists engaged in focused research or product design of VE systems such as battery packs, motors, power electronics, and systems integration. Passing an online exam also results in certification that remains in force for three years.
Engineer rises to President post at Eaton
A degreed mechanical engineer on Jan. 1 will become President–Automotive, North America Division, Eaton Corp. Staci Kroon currently is Senior Vice President and General Manager of Eaton’s Commercial Vehicle Transmission business and will be based in Marshall, MI. She succeeds Jake Hooks, who will retire March 1. Since joining Eaton in 1996, Kroon has held several business, manufacturing, and plant management positions including General Manager of the Heavy Duty Transmissions business in North America, Director of Business Development, Business Unit Manager, and Manufacturing Operations Manager of Eaton’s automotive business. Kroon earned bachelor's degrees in finance and engineering at the University of Pennsylvania.
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Staci Kroon becomes President–Automotive, North America Division, Eaton Corp., on Jan. 1.
SAE offers new credential program for engineers
SAE International is introducing a personnel credentialing program that enables engineers, product development technicians, and associated personnel to earn a Certificate of Competency or Certification in the Design Review Based on Failure Modes (DRBFM) methodology. Created by industry professionals for industry professionals, the program was developed and segmented into three distinct levels to meet the needs of specific personnel. Exam questions align with the body of knowledge to address each of the three levels. The DRBFM Process and Application Certificate of Competency is designed for individuals who require training and validation of knowledge in DRBFM process methodology. Job roles include product engineers, manufacturing engineers, quality engineers, supplier quality engineers, validation and test engineers, and facilitators, trainers, and consultants in all industries. This credential requires completing an open-enrollment training course and passing an online exam. Registration is now open for the December 2012 offering of this program. For more information, contact SAE International at certification@sae.org or visit https://www.saecredentialingalliance.org/go/drbfm.
Ford's new global powertrain boss will be based in Europe
For the first time at Ford, the position of Director of Global Powertrain, Research and Advanced Engineering is occupied by an engineer based in Europe. Andreas Schamel recently was named to replace the recently retired Dan Kapp, who was based in Dearborn. In addition to leading Ford’s global powertrain activities, Schamel will retain his position as Joint Managing Director of Ford’s European Research Centre in Aachen, Germany—a role he shares with Pim van der Jagt. Schamel will continue to be based in Aachen. Previously Schamel was Chief Engineer Powertrain, Research and Advanced Engineering, Ford of Europe. He will report to Paul Mascarenas, Ford’s Chief Technical Officer and Vice President of Research and Advanced Engineering.
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While based in the U.S., Schamel was a key figure in the introduction of Ford's EcoBoost gasoline engine technology.
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