WARRENDALE, PA – David Merrion, owner of David F. Merrion LLC, was honored with the Franz F. Pischinger Powertrain Innovation Award during the SAE 2012 World Congress held in Detroit.

In his current role, Merrion consults for the truck and engine industries. Prior to starting his own consulting business, he was employed by Detroit Diesel Corporation for 56 years, where he retired as executive vice president of engineering.

He has published five SAE International papers, one ASME paper, an article in the GM Engineering Journal, a chapter of a reference book, and co-authored four NRC reports.

Merrion serves as chairman of the board for Truck Emission Control Technologies, Inc. and is a member of the technical advisory board for Achates Power, Inc. He is currently on the NRC Committee studying technology to meet the 2025 fuel economy standard of 54.5 mpg. He is also an SAE International fellow, SAE International Buckendale lecturer and ASME Honda Medal recipient.

Merrion holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Kettering University and a master's degree in mechanical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Established in 2008, the Franz F. Pischinger Powertrain Innovation Award recognizes exceptional innovation and competence in powertrain design and development through the annual recognition of an engineer who has demonstrated outstanding innovation in the field.

The award honors professor Franz Pischinger, who devoted his career to furthering powertrain technology and the education of young engineers as they prepared for careers in engineering. He held leading positions in the powertrain industry for most of his 50-year career and, until 2003, was the president and CEO of FEV Motorentechnik GmbH, where he currently retains the title of chairman of the board.