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Boehly to Lead Automotive Occupant Restraints Council

11 November 1998

Boehly to Lead Automotive Occupant Restraints Council

    WASHINGTON, Nov. 11 -- William A. Boehly, a career motor
vehicle safety executive, has been elected chief executive officer and
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
systems.
    Boehly, 53, spent more than 27 years with the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA), retiring in 1997 as Associate Administrator for
Research and Development.  NHTSA is an agency within the U.S. Department of
Transportation.  Following retirement he consulted in the field of motor
vehicle safety.
    In his most recent NHTSA research and development assignment Boehly
initiated and directed a major project concerning the design and
implementation of a laboratory test program to assess the performance of air
bags in crash situations.  This successful research became the basis for
changing an existing federal standard on air bag crash protection that would
significantly reduce the potential risk of air bag related death and injury.
    AORC Chairman James S. Remick said, "Having Bill on board brings a much
needed dimension to the Council.  His vast experience in motor vehicle safety
research and regulation will be extremely valuable as our industry progresses
into advanced technology occupant restraint systems."
    "I look forward to working with AORC's membership," Boehly said.  "The
challenges will be enormous as the occupant restraints industry continues to
introduce advanced technology restraint systems to make vehicles safer.
    "Our members are the world's leaders in research, development and
introduction of motor vehicle occupant restraint components and systems.  It
is exciting to be associated with this industry.
    "Our emphasis is on leveraging the occupant restraint industry's expertise
and resources to educate government, media, and the general public concerning
occupant restraint systems.  AORC monitors occupant safety and proactively
presents its views on legislative and regulatory activities affecting the
development and proper use of occupant restraint systems."
    Prior to joining NHTSA, Boehly was an aerospace engineer for the U.S. Navy
where he designed and implemented comprehensive missile test programs.
    Boehly earned a Master of Science in Engineering Administration from
George Washington University after attaining a Bachelor of Science in
Mechanical Engineering from that university.
    Boehly and his wife Jane reside in McLean, Va.  They are the parents of
five children, all now adults.