JENNIFER HITCHCOCK:






 
 
 
 
 
deputy director for mobility technology at the U.S. Army's Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) in Warren. She is responsible for the research and development of engines, hybrid electric drive technologies, transmissions, propulsion system components, fuel cells, track and suspension components and auxiliary power units for military vehicles from trucks to combat vehicles. She also is chair for the Research Development and Engineering Command (TARDEC's parent organization) Power and Energy Integrated Product Team. In this capacity she leads power and energy experts from all Army R&D labs, DOD, DOE, other government agencies, industry, and academia to advise and inform Army leadership on power and energy technologies, issues and initiatives. She recently received Lawrence Tech's Alumni Achievement Award from LTU President Charles Chambers (pictured).


WHERE BORN: Detroit

MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONS: “I have quite a few. One is my mom, who showed me hard work would take you far and to work hard and do my best. My husband, who got me interested in engines and cars when we were dating in high school. Professionally, I'd say my director, Dr. Richard McClelland, who hired me and has given me a lot of opportunities to try out different areas in the R&D center and also in the program management offices. Also (TARDEC colleague) Dr. Grace Bochenek, deputy program executive officer for Combat Support and Combat Service Support Systems, who has really inspired me to move out of my comfort zone and try new challenges.”

LAST BOOK READ: “'Leading Change' by John P. Kotter.”

WHERE MY FIELD/INDUSTRY IS HEADED: “We are moving toward advanced and alternative energy systems. About 70 percent of supplies we ship to a theatre of operations is fuel, and we need to reduce our dependence on that. All of our vehicles are power and energy hungry. Army R&D is looking at alternatives like fuel cells, alternative fuels, solar power, hybrid vehicles and more power dense engines and energy dense storage devices. Power management on the battlefield will be the key to solving these issues.”

FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL GADGET: “It changes every time I see something new, but I'd have to say the diesel or turbine engine. It is such a marvel of engineering and it provides so much power in such a small space.”

FAVORITE PLACE: “At home with my family, but my next favorite place is traveling Michigan with my family.”

FAVORITE HOBBY: “Right now it's scrapbooking.”

FAVORITE FOOD: “Pasta.”

MY HIDDEN TALENT: “None I can think of.”

HOW I WANT TO BE REMEMBERED: “For being a good wife and mother and contributing to the advancement of my field, and influencing the younger generation to go into engineering fields and excel at their careers.”

Grant Thornton Website At the annual awards reception in April 2014, one Leader & Innovator from the previous 12 months will be selected as the Grant Thornton Leader & Innovator of the Year.