WARRENDALE, Pa. – SAE International‘s voting membership has elected Donald Hillebrand , Ph.D, as its new president. Dr. Hillebrand is director of Argonne National Laboratory’s Energy Systems Division.
In his position with Argonne National Laboratory, Hillebrand leads transportation and energy research activities, including vehicle systems and hybrid vehicle development, and engine and emissions research. Prior to joining Argonne, he worked for Daimler Forschung and Technologie in Stuttgart, Germany. While there, he was responsible for Daimler’s research and technology liaison with the European Commission in Brussels, and interacting with European research organizations and business groups.
Hillebrand also worked in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Technology Division (1996-98), where he served as Senior Policy Advisor.
Hillebrand has earned several awards and distinctions throughout his career, including SAE International Distinguished Younger Member, 2000 and SAE International Outstanding Young Engineer, 1999. In July 2011, Dr. Hillebrand was named by Automotive News as one of the 100 most influential people bringing about the electrification of the automobile.
A member of SAE International since the age of 18, Hillebrand served on the SAE International board of directors from 2001 to 2003. In addition, he served as the general chairman of the 1999 SAE International Government/Industry Meeting. He was selected for a one-year period as an SAE Fellow through the AAAS Washington Fellow Program.
Hillebrand earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, a master’s degree in mechanical engineering and a Ph.D in mechanical systems engineering from Oakland University.
He will begin his SAE presidential term this month.
