SAE Contributor of the Year

An award and celebratory event that recognizes the top contributors to SAE each year.

Volunteer Now Contributor Celebration Authors Presenters Organizers Reviewers

SAE Recognizes and Celebrates Top Contributors and Volunteers

SAE International understands the importance of recognizing our most engaged volunteers for their dedication to the success of our organization.  Their time, knowledge, and passion for the betterment of the mobility community allows SAE to develop world-class content, publish leading technical standards in both the Aero and Ground Vehicle communities, inspire the minds of future engineers, and serve the needs of students and members worldwide.

Congratulations to our 2023 winners!

Student Leadership

Alexander Rath,

Control Systems Engineer, General Motors

 

Leadership Contributions

Jessica Swan,

Architectural Controls System Manager, General Motors

Angela Xydis,

Associate Program Engineering Manager- Ultifi, General Motors

 

STEM Work

Curtis Biggs,

Director of Strategic Partnerships, University of Wyoming

 

Outstanding Technical Contributions

Nick Hills,

Systems Integration Engineer, Motional

 

Innovative Content Development

Bob Galyen,

Galyen Energy

 

Section Management

Alba Colon,

Director of Competition Systems, Hendrick Motorsports

 

SAE Contributor of the Year Celebration

SAE has established an annual event dedicated to recognizing their top volunteers for their contributions to the organization. As part of this invitation-only event, SAE hosts an Awards dinner, where the Contributor of the Year, SAE's highest honor bestowed on a volunteer, is presented to one of the attendees (see more information below on the Contributor of the Year Award).

To be invited to the celebration, SAE Staff nominates individuals based on their volunteer and engagement contributions across the entire organization. Staff is looking for individuals who provided valuable insight and played a key role in advancing the mobility industry through involvement in SAE activities. For example, he/she might have provided an exceptional level of support and/or leadership over an extended period or served as a judge at a Collegiate Design Series event.

Those interested in being considered as part of a future year’s Top Contributor Class should contact your staff representative and express interest. Your staff representative can guide you on ways to become more engaged with the organization based on your current level of involvement.

Congratulations to the 2022 Top Contributor Class
 

Student Leadership

  • Alexander Rath – General Motors

Leadership Contributions

  • Nat Beuse – Aurora

  • Zach Lipple – BorgWarner Inc.
  • Daryl Trate - Stellantis
AutoDrive Challenge II Event Captains
  • Jessica Swan – General Motors
  • Angela Xydis – General Motors
Fellows Leadership
  • Myra Blanco – Virginia Tech Transportation Institute| Daimler Truck North America
  • Kelly Schmitz – Cummins Inc

STEM Work

  • Jim Gluys – Eaton Cummins Automated Transmission Technologies 
  • Jason Keith – Robert Bosch LLC
  • Adam Long - Schaeffler
  • Dr. Lindsey Nichols – The University of Wyoming

BAJA SAE Arizona Organizers

  • Tony Rivera - Moveras
  • Aaron Saint–Amour – Sargent Aerospace & Defense
  • Josh Spivery – Kinetik Systems

Formula SAE EV Workshop Leadership

  • Danny Bocci – John Deere
  • Paul Messier – BAE Systems, Inc. 
  • Steve Sayovitz – Energy Harbor
  • Jon Peiffer – John Deere
  • Matt Petty – Space X
  • Christian Yaeger – Leap Racing

Wyoming AWIM 

  • Curtis Biggs – The University of Wyoming
  • Colby Clinton Gull – The University of Wyoming
     

Outstanding Technical Contributions 

  • Nick Hills - Motional

  • Richard Scholer - Stellantis

Innovative Content Development

  • Bob Galyen – Galyen Energy LLC
  • Rob Merrion – Allison Transmission
  • Bill Shelmon – Toyota Motor North America R&D

Section Management

  • Alba Colon – Hendrick Motorsport
  • Rebecca Vollmann – ABB

Southern California Group

  • Ian Lehn – BOOSTane, Octane Solutions
  • Luis Morales - SEMA
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