Deborah M. Freund to Present SAE Buckendale Lecture

WARRENDALE, Pa., Aug. 20, 2007 - Deborah M. Freund of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in Washington, D.C., has been selected to present SAE International's L. Ray Buckendale Lecture at the SAE Commercial Vehicle Congress & Exhibition in Rosemont, Ill., Oct. 30-Nov. 1.

The lecture, established in 1953, deals with automotive vehicles for on- or off-road operation in commercial or military service. It honors the memory of L. Ray Buckendale, 1946 SAE President, who had a strong desire to develop the potential abilities in young people. In his honor, the lecture is directed primarily to the needs of young engineers and students.

The 2007 L. Ray Buckendale Lecture is funded through contributions to the SAE Foundation from the following corporate sponsors: ArvinMeritor, Inc., Cummins Inc., Dana Corporation, Eaton Corporation and TRW Automotive.

In addition to supporting the awards, recognition and scholarship programs of SAE International, the SAE Foundation develops and funds programs and incentives that foster student interest in engineering, scientific and technical education.

Freund is a Senior Transportation Specialist at FMCSA and the agency's National Technical Expert for Vehicle Research. She is responsible for initiating and managing programs and providing technical and policy leadership to convert research into recommendations for new safety programs and standards. With more than 25 years of experience in highway infrastructure and commercial motor vehicle safety research and operations, Freund has also worked for the Federal Highway Administration.

A member of SAE International, Freund is Chair of the Commercial Vehicle Activity Committee. She also serves on the Awards and Recognition Committee and the Colwell Merit Award Board; and she is a liaison member of the Truck and Bus Council. Previously, she servedon the organizing committeesfor the2004 and2007 SAE Highway Vehicle Electronic Data Recorder Symposia. She is a past recipient of the SAE Forest R. McFarland Award. Freund is also a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Transportation Research Board, a Fellow of the Institute of Transportation Engineers, and an associate member of Sigma Xi.

Freund holds a bachelor's in civil engineering and a master's in transportation and urban systems from Washington University in St. Louis. She is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Texas and resides in Dunn Loring, Va.

To set up an interview with Freund, please contact Duane DeBruyne at FMCSA, Duane.DeBruyne@dot.gov.