SAE International® Announces Keynote Speakers for 2019 COMVEC™ Technology Connection

WARRENDALE, Pa., June 25, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- SAE International® announces the lineup of keynote speakers for three days of expert-led panel discussions at COMVEC™ Technology Connection, which will be held Sept. 9-11, 2019, at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis, IN.

COMVEC is the leading conference for the community that develops vehicles and equipment spanning the on-highway, off-highway (agricultural, construction, industrial), ground defense, and mining sectors. This year's keynote speakers include:

•     Jennifer Rumsey, VP and CTO, Cummins Inc. (Monday, Sept. 9) As a member of the Cummins Leadership Team, Rumsey helps set the strategy for the company, which includes a commitment to leading in critical technologies and providing a broad portfolio of power solutions for its global customers in diverse industries.
•     Rich Freeland, President and COO, Cummins Inc. (Monday, Sept. 9) In 1979, Freeland joined Cummins after graduating from Purdue University, as a foreman at the Cummins Parts Distribution Center in Columbus, IN. Since 2014, Freeland has served as Cummins' President and Chief Operations Officer, bringing a unique perspective to the position after having led three of the five Cummins business segments.
•     Giorgio Rizzoni, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and of Electrical and Computer Engineering at The Ohio State University. (Tuesday, Sept. 10) Since 1999, Rizzoni has been the director of The Ohio State University Center for Automotive Research (CAR). His research activities are related to modeling, control and diagnosis of advanced propulsion systems, vehicle fault diagnosis and prognosis, electrified powertrains and energy storage systems, vehicle safety and intelligence, and sustainable mobility.
•     Franklin R. Chang Díaz, Ph.D., chairman and CEO, Ad Astra Rocket Company. (Tuesday, Sept. 10) In 2005, Chang Díaz founded Ad Astra, a U.S. firm developing advanced plasma rocket technology and applications in sustainable energy. After a 25-year career as a NASA astronaut, Chang Díaz is a veteran of seven space missions, logging more than 1,600 hours in space, including 19 hours in three space walks.
•     Carla Bailo, President and CEO, Center for Automotive Research. (Wednesday, Sept. 11) At the Center for Automotive Research, Bailo led The Ohio State University's involvement as the primary research partner for Smart Columbus, a $140 million program to transform central Ohio into the nation's premier transportation innovation region.

"We are thrilled to welcome a panel of experts with a breadth of knowledge and industry backgrounds to spearhead conversations around the most pertinent topics impacting global commercial vehicles," said Melissa Jena, Senior Project Manager, Engineering Events, SAE International. "From alternative fuels to electrification and efficiency, this annual event provides industry innovators with the opportunity to network and engage in important discussions that will help advance the development of the evolving commercial vehicle industry."

To learn more about the technical program and technical events at SAE International's "COMVEC", please visit https://www.sae.org/attend/comvec.

Media members can register for press credentials by contacting [email protected] or call 1-724-772-8522.

SAE International is a global association committed to advancing mobility knowledge and solutions for the benefit of humanity. By engaging nearly 200,000 engineers, technical experts and volunteers, we connect and educate mobility professionals to enable safe, clean, and accessible mobility solutions. We act on two priorities: encouraging a lifetime of learning for mobility engineering professionals and setting the standards for industry engineering. We strive for a better world through the work of our philanthropic SAE Foundation, including programs like A World in Motion® and the Collegiate Design Series™. http://www.sae.org

SOURCE SAE International