RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK , NC – The Motor Vehicle Lighting Council (MVLC) recently elected Thomas Kelly, P. Eng., as its fourth chairman. Kelly currently serves as vice president of sales and marketing for automotive lighting supplier Valeo Sylvania, in Dearborn , MI . He succeeds Rich Zygadlo, director and executive vice president for automotive lighting and electronics supplier II Stanley Co., Inc., in Battle Creek , MI .

The MVLC also elected Steve Barman as the group’s vice chairman and Ingo Schneider as the council’s secretary. Barman is the senior engineering manager of exterior lighting and fascia systems for Automotive Component Holdings, LLC, in Dearborn , MI , while Schneider is the Senior Engineering Manager of advanced lighting applications at Visteon Corp. in Van Buren Township, MI.

As chairman of the MVLC, Kelly directs and oversees the council’s initiatives to study and assess automotive lighting issues, collaborate with industry and government organizations to support automotive lighting research and assist the group with its efforts to inform the motoring public of the benefits of advanced lighting technologies. In addition, he will provide continued support of MVLC’s work with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to update automotive lighting-related safety standards.

“The MVLC comprises a strong team of automotive lighting experts including leading lighting suppliers, component suppliers and educational institutions, said Kelly. "Since its formation in 2003, the MVLC has made significant progress addressing industry issues through our cooperation with NHTSA and educating the motoring public on advanced automotive lighting technologies. It is our goal to build upon these past successes and play a leading role in enhancing vehicle and pedestrian safety.”

Kelly has been with the Valeo Sylvania joint venture since its inception in 1998. He has held a variety of positions including sales director, front end module managing director and most recently, vice president of sales and marketing. Prior to Valeo Sylvania, Kelly served as the sales and marketing director for Valeo Lighting Systems in North America .

He earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Waterloo in 1985 and a master’s in business administration from Bowling Green State University in 1996.

For more information about MVLC, visit: http://www.mvlc.info.