Software Leader Named an SME Fellow for 2000

"I am delighted to be elected to SME's College of Fellows. It's a rare privilege to be associated with a group of engineering professionals who have influenced manufacturing worldwide," says Henke.

Henke, chief operating officer of TechniCon Computer Services in Emeryville, Calif., has an outstanding engineering and manufacturing background. These skills and general management experience have helped him pioneer the creation of unique and effective software systems, processes and management methods for highly cost-effective performance of the total product realization process in the manufacturing industry.

"SME is greatly honored to induct such an outstanding individual into its College of Fellows," says SME President Ronald P. Harrelson. "As a result of his accomplishments, the capability and cost-effectiveness of world manufacturing is at a much higher level than it would be in his absence."

Henke is internationally recognized as an outstanding contributor of enabling technology that serves the mechanical and electronic community and facilitates global competition.

"I have learned to appreciate Henke's depth of knowledge in product design, manufacturing systems design, product/process integration and database design to manage a total enterprise," says SME Past President Gustav J. Olling, executive, CAE/CAD/CAM Research & Development, DaimlerChrysler Corporation. "The results of his work are used in the automotive, aerospace and machine tool industry."

Henke has strong engineering and manufacturing roots. This includes a string of remarkable successes as a vice president and general manager of both the Printed Circuit Board Division and the Professional Services Division at Mentor Graphics Corporation; president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Automation Technology Products; president of Gould Electronics Imaging & Graphics; executive vice president of Schlumberger Applicon; president, chief operating officer and board member of SDRC, and Research Supervisor at Cincinnati Milacron. Most recently, Henke has provided in-depth business & management consulting to more than a dozen companies; from Silicon Valley start ups to large, public corporations. Having served on several boards of directors, Henke was a member of the MacNeal Schwendler Corporation Board of Directors in 1995-96.

"Fellows are outstanding examples of manufacturing professionals," says Nancy Berg, SME general manager and executive director. "They support SME and its activities while contributing to the betterment of an overall worldwide society through technological improvements."

An SME member since 1982, Henke has been active in SME conferences and is currently affiliated with SME Golden Gate Chapter 28. In addition to a 1989 Distinguished Alumnus Award, he holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, a master's degree and a doctorate from the University of Cincinnati. He also attended the Harvard Business School.

The Fellows, nominated by industry and SME peers, are selected for their outstanding contributions spanning more than 20 years of manufacturing experience in development, inventions and patents, consulting and SME service. Additional requirements include SME membership and a bachelor's degree or equivalent engineering experience.

The SME Fellows induction ceremony will be held November 13 at the Cleveland Marriott downtown at Key Center in Cleveland, Ohio, during SME's Fall Board of Directors meeting. Henke will also attend the Fall 2000 Regional SME Meeting Awards Banquet on September 30 in Seattle.

To nominate an individual for the 2001 College of Fellows, call Jean Mattivi at SME Headquarters (313) 271-1500, ext. 1701, fax: (313) 336-7065 or e-mail: Fellows@sme.org.

SME, headquartered in Dearborn, Mich., is the world's leading professional society serving the manufacturing industries. Through its publications, expositions, professional development resources and member programs, SME influences more than 500,000 manufacturing executives, managers and engineers. Founded in 1932, SME has some 60,000 members in 70 countries and supports a network of hundreds of chapters worldwide.

Editor's Note: Photo available upon request. SME background information and press registration forms can also be accessed on the SME Home Page.

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