North American International Powertrain Conference

Frank Abkenar has served as Director of Global Engine Engineering at Ford Motor Company since January 2018.  Prior to that, Frank was the Director of Global Powertrain Strategy and Sustainability.  Abkenar has over 27 years of experience in Powertrain at Ford and has held several leadership roles in Engine Engineering and Manufacturing, Powertrain Installation and Integration, and Powertrain Programs.  Abkenar started his Ford career in the US in Engine Engineering.  He has also held several leadership positions in Europe and Asia Pacific, which included launching several Engines and Transmissions in new manufacturing facilities in Brazil, India, and China.  In his last international assignment as the Director of Asia Pacific Powertrain, Abkenar developed a strong team to deliver regional and global Powertrains and Programs for Ford.  This included working extensively with Ford Joint Venture Partners in China.  These experiences have provided a strong foundation for team building across geographic locations with deep awareness, sensitivity and appreciation of cultural norms and differences.

In addition to his professional experience, Abkenar has earned:

• BSME from Lawrence Technological University
• MSME from Oakland University
• MBA from University of Michigan

Chris Cowland is currently Director of Advanced and SRT (Street and Racing Technology) Powertrain at FCA US LLC. He is responsible for future FCA powertrain technology and high performance powertrains for the SRT brand, including the 707 horsepower supercharged HEMI® Hellcat engine – winner of a 2015 Wards 10 Best Engines award, and also the 840 bhp Demon.

Prior to this role, Cowland was the Chief Engineer and Platform Director for the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine, the recipient of three Wards 10 Best Engines awards.

Previous to his tenure at FCA US, Cowland held the position of Technical Director at two of the major global powertrain consultants - AVL and Ricardo.

Cowland started his career in the automotive industry in 1981 as an apprentice at Perkins Engines. He held a number of engine design and development positions at Perkins and Lotus before moving to the US in 1996.

Cowland graduated with a Master of Science degree in Automotive Engineering from Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, England.

As chief technical officer for Schaeffler in the Americas, Jeff Hemphill is responsible for research and new product development for automotive transmission, engine, chassis as well as industrial components and systems. His scope of responsibilities also encompasses IT and digitalization functions, which include facilitating the integration of digital capability into Schaeffler’s new products and business models.

Jeff started his career at Schaeffler as a machinist and co-op student while earning a BSME from The University of Akron. He also holds an Executive Certificate in Strategy and Innovation from MIT. Jeff has over 30 years of experience in automotive and industrial product development, including manufacturing, product design, testing and vehicle development.

To date, Jeff has 79 patents filed or issued.

In this role Jeremy steers and oversees the Propulsion Systems and Transform Products business units at Means globally. His broad and deep experience in the powertrain sector is helping ensure the execution of Means core technologies in today's high efficiency transmissions. In addition, a driving focus on technology development and application of leading-edge clutching products and driveline solutions for the future electrified propulsion systems including hybrid, EV, and eAxle systems. In addition as a member of the Amsted Industries leadership team Jeremy contributes to group strategy.

2012-2018 Global Vice President for business development, marketing, sales, application engineering and strategy at TREMEC SA de CV, as well as head of TREMEC’s U.S. business.

2007-2012 President, Technology Management Consulting LLC

2007-2011 President and CEO at NxtGen Emission Controls+

1997-2007 President Ricardo Inc and Executive Director at Ricardo PLC

Jeremy Holt has a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, and a Master of Business Administration, both from the University of Bradford, England. He is a long-term member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), presently serving as a member of the leadership committee for the SAE North American Powertrain Conference.

In the Vehicle Technologies Office, Mr. Howden is Director for the 21st Century Truck Partnership with four federal agencies and eleven heavy duty truck manufacturers and major suppliers. He manages Class-8 tractor-trailer development under the SuperTruck initiative with five OEM teams. In the light-duty area, he manages advanced engine development with the USCAR OEM partners and emission control development with the national laboratories and universities.  He is a member and former co-chair of the USDRIVE Advanced Combustion and Emission Control Tech Team.

As a project leader with U.S. Army, Mr. Howden managed a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers in the successful accelerated development, testing, production, and deployment of HEMMT 10-ton trucks with integrated power units for the PATRIOT Missile System. As a member of two NATO working groups, he also developed thermal infrared and millimeter wave countermeasures for tactical vehicles. He holds a BSME from Virginia Tech and an MEA from George Washington University.

Professor Neville Jackson is responsible for the future vision for mobility, energy & resource efficiency technologies at Ricardo and the associated research agenda and strategy to deliver this vision.

A graduate of Imperial College, London, his career has included 37 years at Ricardo focused on research and technology demonstration programmes covering advanced combustion engines, hybrid and electric systems and energy recovery technologies. He is also responsible for a wide range of Technology Roadmaps to define future technology and R&D needs to meet environmental and socio-economic goals.  His work at Ricardo has included many initiatives to create new innovative technologies and research collaborations with government, academia and industrial partners.

Neville Jackson was awarded a Doctor of Science degree from City University London in 2012 and has been a visiting Professor at the University of Brighton since 2007.  He serves as Chair of the Advisory Board for the UK Advanced Propulsion Centre, Deputy chair for the UK Auto Council Technology Group, Vice Chair of the European Road Transport Research Advisory Council (ERTRAC) and a member of the Advisory Board for the European Green Vehicles Initiative (EGVI). He is also a Fellow of the UK Royal Academy of Engineering and a Fellow of the US SAE.

John Juriga, Director of Powertrain North America, oversees North American:

• Production powertrain tuning focusing on Emissions, Driveability and Fuel Economy
• Concept hardware design and development emphasis on Fuel Economy development
• Engine and Transmission Validation and vehicle Certification support
• Engineering and Quality support for North American Manufacturing

Powertrain operations include conventional Powertrains as well as Eco friendly vehicles such as HEV/PHEV/EVs and Fuel Cell electric vehicles.

John, began his professional career at General Motors Chevrolet Engineering in 1983 after graduating from the University of Michigan with a BSME focusing on Internal combustion engine design.  He spent the first 9 years at GM in the engine development laboratories and design teams.  In 1992 he became the V8 passenger car design and development manager. Over the next 6 years he would hold several positions focusing on the Powertrain development and integration into the vehicle. In 1999 he was promoted to the position of Assistant Chief Engineer for the Passenger Car V8 engines at General Motors.  In 2003 Mr. Juriga joined the Hyundai Motor Group as Sr. Manager for Engine Development at the Hyundai/Kia America technical center in Ann Arbor Michigan.   In 2006 he was promoted to Director of Powertrain at Hyundai/Kia. He oversees the Powertrain development activities in North America including the Ann Arbor Powertrain Laboratory, Engineering support for American manufacturing plants in Alabama and Georgia. He is also responsible for Powertrain Development in the California Labs. California is the center for the Powertrain North American “Eco” vehicle development.  This development includes tuning and validation for all of the Hyundai / Kia HEVs, PHEVs, EVs and FCEVs.

David Porreca is the Director of Automotive Business for SAE International and also serves as the Executive Director of the Defense Automotive Technologies Consortium (DATC), which is part of SAE-ITC and SAE International.

Dave is responsible for the establishment and maintenance of positive and productive working relationships with key automotive executives at corporations, government entities and sister engineering societies around the world. Additionally, Dave is responsible for identifying new products and business opportunities for SAE.

Prior to serving in this position at SAE, Dave was the Manufacturing and Technical Program Manager and then later the Engineering Meetings Manager for SAE. As the Engineering Meetings Manager, Dave had responsibility for the technical content and organization of all SAE Technical Conferences, to include the SAE Congress.

Before joining SAE, Dave was the Executive Director of the National Coalition for Advanced Manufacturing (NACFAM) in Washington, D.C.

Dave’s spent fourteen years working in the private sector. He was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Anderson Mavor, an international manufacturer of longwall mining machinery. He also served as Chief Executive Officer of Mountaineer Euclid, a heavy equipment distributor for Ingersoll Rand, Komatsu, Euclid, O&K, Trojan and Grove products.

Dave is a 1970 engineering graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and received his Masters Degree in Business Administration from Augusta College, in Augusta, Georgia.

Gary W. Rogers is currently Vice President, Advanced Technology at Roush Industries, Inc. He was previously, Director of Research at the Oakland University School of Engineering and Computer Science, following his retirement after an almost 29 year career as President and CEO of FEV, Inc. He also served as Executive Vice President of FEV GmbH, Aachen Germany. He recently completed two terms on the Board on Energy and Environmental Systems at the National Academies and has served on many technology assessment committees for the National Research Council of the National Academies. He is an SAE Fellow and was a founding member of the NAIPC Executive Leadership Team.

Ben Schlimme is the Executive Program Manager with Toyota Motor North America.  There he leads a team overseeing Powertrain Planning & Research within R&D and Corporate Strategy & Planning.

Mr. Schlimme’s responsibilities include development of Toyota’s North American long term powertrain strategy as well as overseeing powertrain research.

Mr. Schlimme began his career at Toyota in 1991, when he joined Toyota Motor Sales in their Finance Division responsible for daily cash management.  From there he has held various positions including the launch of Lexus’s Certified Used Car Program, Lexus Product Planning and Toyota Truck Product Planning.  In 1997 Mr. Schlimme joined Toyota Technical Center to support the development of the first V8 truck engine.  In this role he was responsible for ensuring the calibration and tuning met North American market needs.  In 2003 he was promoted to lead their Powertrain Planning function which he grew into to the development of Powertrain Planning & Research Department in 2013.  Most recently his role was expanded to bridge R&D and Corporate Strategy within North America in development for powertrain strategy. 

Mr. Schlimme relocated his family to North Dallas, coinciding with Toyota corporate headquarters relocation in 2016.  Having spent the previous 28-years in Southern California, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in International Finance from the University of Southern California, the change from the beaches of Southern California to the expansiveness of Dallas has been “a refreshing change”.

Dietrich Sneideraitis is the Senior Sales Manager for Powertrain Systems Business Customers and is responsible for all BMW Powertrain Systems sales in North America. Dietrich joined the BMW Group in 2009. Dietrich has over 30 years of experience in Engineering, Sales and Management positions within the Automotive Powertrain Sector. He began his career at Chrysler Corporation in 1983 in Automatic Transmission Development. Additional Powertrain related experience was gained with various companies, including ZF North America and Behr America.

Dietrich earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Wayne State University in 1989 and a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Oakland University in 1983, and has been a member of SAE since 1983.

Dr. Wolfgang Warnecke was appointed Shell’s Chief Scientist Mobility in May 2011. His expertise in all forms of mobility, vehicle technology, fuels and lubricants sees him advising on technology strategy, championing science, R&D and innovation, enhancing Shell’s technical reputation in the fast-changing area of mobility and looking ahead to future solutions.

Wolfgang studied mechanical engineering at the Technical University of Hannover, specialising in automotive combustion engines, and gained a PhD in automotive engineering from Hamburg Technical University in 1987.

Since joining Shell on graduation, Wolfgang has gained extensive experience in Germany and the UK as a scientist and business leader in the fields of lubricant development, engine testing and vehicle technology, technical services for lubricants, and fuels marketing.

In 2005, Wolfgang, together with Dr Wolfgang Steiger of Volkswagen, was awarded the “Professor Ferdinand Porsche Prize”, considered by many to be the world’s most prestigious award for automotive engineers, for their work on synthetic fuels development.

Kregg Wiggins is Senior Vice President of Continental’s Powertrain Division and is responsible for overseeing the three business units in North America: Engine & Drivetrain Systems, Powertrain Components, and Hybrid Electric Vehicles. Wiggins is located in Auburn Hills, Mich., where the team focuses on aligning innovative and efficient system solutions that impact every aspect of a vehicle’s drivetrain.

Previously, Wiggins held a variety of assignments including Global Key Account representative for worldwide sales for the General Motors account and Vice President of Powertrain – North America, responsible for all powertrain activities, including sensors, electronic controls, drivetrain and transmission.

Wiggins began his career with Siemens in 1985 and has held various positions with the company including a long-term foreign delegation at the company’s headquarters in Regensburg, Germany, as the Powertrain division’s program manager. He also held engineering and management positions related to engine, advanced technology, powertrain and vehicle electronic systems products.

Wiggins earned a master’s degree in Business Administration from The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va., and a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. He is a member of the North American International Powertrain Conference (NAIPC) leadership team, and a visiting committee member for the University of Michigan – Dearborn College of Engineering and Computer Science.