Donald W. Ableson

Mr. Donald W. Ableson retired from General Motors in 2002 after a 47 year career with the company.  During that time, he held executive positions in several GM groups, starting with Fisher Body Division and ending with North American Operations.  During his career, he headed up Facilities Engineering, held many different positions in manufacturing including stints as Plant Manager of several plants, and ended his GM career as Executive Director of Specialty Vehicles.

An active member of the SAE International for nearly 50 years, he most recently served as President of the SAE Canada Foundation Board of Directors, and a member of the SAE Foundation Board of Trustees.  He was President of SAE International in 1999-2000, past member of the Board of Directors, past chairman of the Detroit Section of SAE, and member of many local and national committees in SAE.

Don holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering from GMI/Kettering University, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Michigan State University, and a Professional Engineering License from the State of Michigan.  He and his wife Muriel reside in West Bloomfield, Michigan, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming.