About Us
The Society of Automobile Engineers (SAE) was founded by a small
group of industry pioneers in 1905. As membership grew, the Detroit
Section was established in 1911 and has grown to become one of the
largest in the Society with over 16,000 members from southeastern
lower Michigan, including metropolitan Detroit, Ann Arbor, Jackson
and Toledo.
The fundamental purpose of the Detroit Section is to generate local
activities that extend SAE benefits to members in their area. To
achieve this, eight vehicle meetings are presented each year as well
as various technical meetings, field trips and social events. To
promote awareness for future members, the Section provides support
to SAE student chapters at eight local universities. Additionally,
individual members are active participants in educational programs
for K-12 students.
For additional information about local activities, please visit the
Events and Tickets portion of this site.
2008 Detroit Section Chairman
Mike Powers
The Detroit Section is pleased to announce Mike Powers as 2008 Section Chairman. Powers has been a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) for 15 years and a member of the SAE Detroit Section Governing Board since 2000.
Full bio
Mike Powers
A senior sales and marketing executive with thirty-four years at The Dow Chemical Co. Experienced in a variety of sales, marketing, business development and management roles. The past fifteen years devoted exclusively to helping build Dow Automotive into a premier supplier of engineered system solutions to the global automotive industry. Experiences in include Executive Director, General Motors account; Director, Body Engineered Systems, Director, New Business Development and Strategic Marketing.
Over the years Mike has developed a vast network of automotive OEM, Tier I, II supplier senior level relationships. He has been active in SAE for 15 years and a member of the SAE Detroit Section Governing Board since 2000. He is also an active member of SPE (Society of Plastic Engineers), MSED (Marketing and Sales Executives of Detroit).
Mike retired from Dow Automotive in January, 2007 but remains active in the industry as a sales and marketing consultant. In addition to his SAE responsibilities, Mike is active with the DIO Eyes On Design car show and events. He has a modest golf handicap (11) and is a two-time Ironman Triathlon finisher.
Mike is a 1973 graduate of Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio where he earned a degree in Marketing. He and his wife of 28 years, Lisa, live in Rochester Hills, MI and have three sons. The eldest, Dan, is a 2005 graduate of CCS and has begun a graphic arts career in Europe. Christopher is a senior at Michigan and works as an intern for CAR (Center for Automotive Research). Jake is a junior at Stony Creek High School in Rochester Hills.
Governing Board
The work of the Detroit Section is developed, guided and
overseen by a volunteer Governing Board of local members,
supported by the paid staff in the local office. General
oversight and other areas of support are provided by SAE
International.
The affairs of the Section are directed by the Governing Board,
which is composed of the positions depicted at right:
Directors of the various committees and activities are invited
to attend and participate in quarterly Governing Board meetings
and as a matter of practicality, Directors are considered to be
members of the Governing Board.
Detroit Section Governing Board
● Chairman
● Treasurer
● Director - Finance
Committee
● Delegate - National
Nominating Committee
1st Alternate Delegate -
National Nominating Committee
2nd Alternate Delegate - National Nominating Committee
● Director -
Strategic Planning Committee
● Immediate Past
Chairman
● Vice Chairman -
Programs
Assistant Vice Chairman -
Meetings
Assistant Vice Chairman - Operations
● Vice Chairman - Younger Members
Assistant Vice Chairman - Math & Science K-12
Assistant Vice Chairman - Special Programs
Assistant Vice Chairman - Student Relations
●
Assistant Vice Chairman - Membership
●
Vice Chairman - Toledo Activity
●
Vice Chairman - Global Leadership Conference
Sections Award of Excellence (Gold Award)
Description
This award recognizes those sections that have done an outstanding job in extending the Society’s services to the local members in their territory. It is hoped that such recognition will challenge the sections to continue to revise the programs and services they provide to keep them in tune with the changing needs of their members. It also encourages a competitive spirit among the sections to search for new and improved services.
SAE Section/Chapter Partnerships of Distinction Awards
This award will be presented to all Section/Student Chapter that attain a minimum of 50 award points based on the award criteria (see attached criteria). There is no set limit to the number of Partnership of Distinction awards. Selected Sections and their participating Student Chapter(s) will receive a specially engraved plaque along with a website award icon.