Auto Occupant Restraints Group Elects Kirchoff New President

2 April 1998
Auto Occupant Restraints Group Elects Kirchoff New President

    LEXINGTON, Ky., April 2 -- George F. Kirchoff, a long time
executive with the automotive occupant restraints industry was elected
president of the Automotive Occupant Restraints Council, (AORC).
    AORC is a non-profit organization representing domestic and foreign
manufacturers and suppliers of automotive air bags, safety belts and seating.
AORC Chairman James S. Remick said, "We are delighted and fortunate to have
George Kirchoff join AORC as its president.  His vast experience in our
industry will be valuable as we meet the challenges of providing the best
possible occupant protection systems to our customers and all motorists."
    Kirchoff recently retired from Autoliv ASP where he served as vice
president for automotive programs.  Previously he was vice president and
managing director of European Operations for Morton International, a leading
air bag manufacturer.  Kirchoff has spent nearly 25 years developing, refining
and marketing automotive occupant restraint systems.
    "I look forward to working with AORC'S membership.  An early focus will be
to coordinate rapid and accurate responses within our industry to inquiries
and requests.  This includes increasing the organization's presence in
Washington, D.C."
    The new AORC president succeeds Charles H. Pulley who led the organization
since its inception in 1961.  Pulley will continue to serve AORC during this
transition period.
    Kirchoff is a past chairman of the AORC Board of Directors, and last year
received AORC's Pathfinder Award.  He is a Fellow of the Society of Automotive
Engineers.  He received several Engineering Excellence awards from the
Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
and the HH Bliss Award from the Center for Auto Safety.  In 1995 he was
appointed to the Automotive Advisory Committee of the U.S. Department of
Transportation.
    A graduate of Auburn University with a degree in Engineering Physics, he
co-authored numerous technical papers and is a co-inventor on patents
concerning rocket launches and automotive air bags.
    He and his wife Gene currently reside in Montrose, Ala.

SOURCE  Automotive Occupant Restraints Council