Dr. Jeffrey Abell is Chief Scientist for Global Manufacturing and Director of Manufacturing Systems Research at General Motors. He is responsible for global manufacturing research focused on vehicle electrification, lightweight systems manufacturing, automation and smart manufacturing. He led a research team that played a key role in bringing the Chevy Volt advanced battery to production and has held other leadership positions in product development and manufacturing at GM, Delphi, and DaimlerChrysler, including two international assignments. He has written numerous technical publications, been granted several patents, and has a strong track record of successful manufacturing technology implementation. He was twice presented with the Boss Kettering award, GM's highest recognition for technical innovation.
Since 1998, Dr. Abell has served in various capacities with SME such as member of International Awards committee and Chair of Education and Accreditation Committee. He currently serves on the NAMRI board and is an SME Fellow. He is on the Corporate Member Council of ASEE and the Industry Advisory Board for ASME. He is Past-Chair of the Industrial Advisory Council and former member of the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. He has a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from General Motors Institute (now Kettering University), and graduate degrees in Systems Engineering from Oakland University, and is a licensed Professional Engineer.