Thomas D. Gillespie, Ph.D. Company Co-Founder

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Dec. 9, 2004 – Thomas D. Gillespie, Ph.D., is a research scientist and professor who has earned an international leadership position in the fields of vehicle dynamics engineering and transportation policy and safety, and who co-founded Mechanical Simulation Corporation in 1996. He authored the textbook "Fundamentals of Vehicle Dynamics," which is considered required reading for all vehicle dynamics engineers. He is frequently called upon to teach vehicle dynamics to engineers at many of the world’s automotive manufacturing companies. His expertise has also thrust him into many unique, critical roles around the world.

Dr. Gillespie has devoted many years to scientific research – from automatic controls and pavement friction test methods at Pennsylvania State University and development testing of heavy truck products at Ford Motor Company, to directing engineering and service tests for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and conducting worldwide measurement of road roughness for the World Bank.

During the 1980s Dr. Gillespie served on the White House staff as a senior policy analyst for the Science Advisors to President Reagan and President George H. W. Bush.

Dr. Gillespie has been affiliated with the University of Michigan for many years, first as a research scientist at the university’s Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) and later as director of the Great Lakes Center for Truck and Transit Research. He currently serves as a research professor.

Dr. Gillespie earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Carnegie Institute of Technology, and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University.

Mechanical Simulation Corporation is a technology leader in the development and distribution of advanced software used to simulate vehicle performance under a wide variety of conditions. The company was established in 1996, and from its Ann Arbor, Mich., headquarters provides car and truck simulation packages, training and ongoing support to more than 40 OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, and more than 50 universities and government research groups worldwide. For more information, visit www.carsim.com.

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