14th October 2009 - Bendix CVS Manager Receives Outstanding Contribution Award from SAE

James Szudy Honored by SAE for Second Time

James Szudy, engineering manager of vehicle systems at Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC, was chosen by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International to receive a 2009 Outstanding Contribution Award. SAE International honored Szudy, a 25-year veteran of Bendix CVS, for his service and leadership on a host of SAE councils, subcommittees, boards, and teams involving on-highway commercial vehicles. The award will be presented during the SAE 2009 Commercial Vehicle Engineering Congress and Exhibition (ComVec) on Wednesday, Oct. 7, in Rosemont, Ill. Szudy first earned the Outstanding Contribution Award in 2004.

Recipients of the Technical Standards Board Outstanding Contribution Award are selected based on their valuable contributions to the work of SAE technical committees, leadership in activities of an SAE technical committee, significant contributions in the accomplishments of technical committees of other organizations, and outstanding work in the form of research, test methods, and procedures and/or development standards. The award, established in 1953, is administered by the SAE Technical Standards Board.

“I’m honored to be recognized by such a prestigious organization, and hope that my service to SAE will help to continue the advancement of the engineering profession for years to come,” Szudy said. “SAE, and in particular the Truck and Bus Council, continue to foster progress of the ideas and expertise of the industry. I’m happy to be part of the success this organization steadily pursues.”

SAE International has more than 121,000 members comprising engineers, business executives, educators, and students from more than 97 countries. These members share information and exchange ideas for advancing the engineering of mobility systems and technical standards development. SAE acts as the engineering industry’s resource for standards development, events, technical information, and expertise used in designing, building, maintaining, and operating self-propelled vehicles for use on land or sea, in air or space.

The SAE Truck and Bus Council initiates, reviews, and approves the SAE Technical Reports (standards, recommended practices, and information reports) related to medium- and heavy-duty trucks. The council also reviews standards and practices for buses with GVWRs greater than 10,000 lbs. and their unique components and accessories. This work is completed on behalf of the SAE Technical Standards Board and to serve the best interests of the public.

Szudy, a 34-year SAE member, has long been active on the Truck and Bus Brake and Stability Control Advisory Group, serves as chair of the Truck and Bus Brake Supply and Control Components committee, and is a member of the Truck and Bus Brake Systems committee. As a member of the SAE Truck and Bus Council, Szudy has served as vice chair and council chair. Szudy is also a member-at-large of SAE’s Technical Standards Board.

In nominating Szudy for the award, Richard Kempf, Truck and Bus Council member, Szudy’s nominator, and manager of regulatory affairs at Navistar Trucks, stated: “Jim spends countless hours in support of SAE and truly believes that its success will benefit the industry. He has been instrumental in getting key industry members on the council and effectively balancing its membership. Jim has been a significant proponent on the council to try to ensure that the committees that report to the council are focusing on the new, relevant, and important topics for the industry.”

Szudy is a recognized industry leader in the brake systems and control fields. His responsibilities at Bendix incorporate the technical support in the design and development of medium/heavy vehicle pneumatic and hydraulic braking systems and components. Throughout his tenure at Bendix CVS, Szudy has secured four patents covering vehicle braking systems, proportioning control valves, and air dryer purge controls.

In addition to his role at Bendix CVS and involvement with SAE, Szudy has served the commercial vehicle industry in a broad range of leadership roles, including his current post as 2008-2010 chair of Heavy Duty Brake Manufacturers Council (HDBMC). He is also a member of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA).

Szudy has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio. He is a certified Six Sigma Green Belt. Szudy resides in Parma, Ohio, with his wife, Mary Ann.

About Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, a member of the Knorr-Bremse Group, develops and supplies leading-edge active safety technologies, air brake charging, and control systems and components under the Bendix® brand name for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, tractors, trailers, buses, and other commercial vehicles throughout North America. An industry pioneer, employing more than 2,000 people, Bendix is driven to deliver solutions for improved vehicle performance, safety, and overall operating cost. Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems is headquartered in Elyria, Ohio, with manufacturing plants in Acuña, Mexico; Bowling Green, Ky.; Huntington, Ind.; and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Source: Bendix CV Systems Press Release