Executives attend semiannual External Advisory Board meeting | Blaser Meritorious Service Award presented to Ford Motor Company's Lori Herman

Friday, April 8, 2016, over 46 industry and government executives attended The Ohio State University Center for Automotive Research's (CAR) semiannual External Advisory Board meeting.

During the meeting held at CAR, attendees heard from the university's Assistant Vice President, Mobility Research and Business Development Carla Bailo. She discussed Ohio State's current mobility endeavors. A detailed presentation about the center's operations, finance and research followed.

A highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the prestigious Dwight A. Blaser Meritorious Service Award, a citation presented annually to recognize individuals whose sustained and extraordinary personal services have had a significant and lasting effect on the advancement of Ohio State’s Center for Automotive Research. The 2016 recipient is Lori Herman, global University Research Programs (URP) manager, Ford Motor Company. Herman is recognized as a champion for her continuous support of university-industry partnership. The award was presented by Giorgio Rizzoni, the center's director.

The meeting also included an overview of CAR's newly updated Membership program. The program has seen over 25 original equipment manufacturers and suppliers participate since its inception in 1999. Additionally, industry and government executives learned about CAR's continuing education opportunities and were able to discuss thoughts on the topic in-depth during the afternoon brainstorming session.

Events also included networking time and the annual senior Motorsports Capstone Design Program project showcase. Attendees learned from students about various experiential learning projects--directly supported by industry partners--on which they are focusing research efforts.

A special guest, U.S. Senator Rob Portman delivered a message to the meeting attendees, reinforcing importance of sustainable mobility. He also spent time with students participating in the motorsports student projects program.

The meeting concluded with tours featuring the laboratories at both the Center of Automotive Research and its facility extension, CAR West.

See event photos here.