By Truck Parts & Service Staff
James Szudy, engineering manager of vehicle systems at Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, was chosen by the Society of Automotive Engineers 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. 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, procedures and/or development standards. The award, established in 1953, is administered by the SAE Technical Standards Board.
Truck and Bus Council member Richard Kempf, manager of regulatory affairs at Navistar Trucks, nominated Szudy for the award. “Jim spends countless hours in support of SAE and truly believes that its success will benefit the industry,” Kempf said. “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 Elyria, Ohio-based 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. He also is a member of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and a certified Six Sigma Green Belt.
