Transonic Combustion Welcomes Powertrain Veteran Donald Runkle to its Board of Directors

CAMARILLO, Calif. and BLOOMFIELD TWP., Mich., May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Transonic Combustion, Inc. announced today that distinguished automotive executive Donald Runkle has joined the company's board of directors. Runkle brings to Transonic's leadership team a successful record in new powertrain technology commercialization, including advanced direct fuel injection systems.

"As Transonic Combustion continues to advance commercialization plans for our supercritical fuel injection technology, our resources and depth of talent continue to grow appropriately," said Brian Ahlborn, president and CEO, Transonic Combustion. "Don brings to our leadership board a tremendous record in automotive powertrain that will further strengthen our technology development and customer involvement. I'm very pleased Don has agreed to join Transonic's board of directors and look forward to his contributions to our company and technology."

"Major improvements to fuel injection technology represent a significant opportunity to improve internal combustion engine efficiency," said Runkle. "Transonic's supercritical fuel injection system is at the forefront of such new thinking and innovation in powertrain component development that can significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions. I'm enthusiastic to join Transonic's team, its mission to offer such a valuable product proposition and its talented staff dedicated to a lower carbon future."

Since 2009, Runkle serves as CEO of EcoMotors, a start-up company developing clean, efficient and lightweight propulsion systems. Until mid-2005, Runkle served as vice chairman and chief technology officer of Delphi Corp., responsible for deploying lean principles and integrating engineering, manufacturing and purchasing, and for leading major international customer accounts.

Before his time with Delphi, Runkle served in several engineering leadership roles with General Motors Corp. including overseeing programs that earned "Top 10 Engine" and "Car of the Year" awards. Runkle also currently holds the following posts: non-executive chairman of EaglePicher Corp.; an operating executive for Tennenbaum Capital Partners; director of Lear Corp., WinCup Corp. and Environmental Systems Products Holdings; and board director on MIT's Sloan School of Management and James P. Womanck's Lean Enterprise Institute.  

He earned a bachelor's and master's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan, as well as a master's degree in business administration from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Transonic Combustion is on course to directly supply global automotive manufacturers with its high efficiency fuel injection systems. Transonic's TSCi™ fuel injection system has demonstrated extraordinary fuel economy and lower emissions while running gasoline effectively within modern diesel architecture engines, with the long-term promise of running zero-net bio renewable fuels.

About Transonic Combustion

Founded in 2006, Transonic Combustion's TSCi™ fuel injection systems provide global automotive manufacturers with high efficiency fuel delivery technology for their modern engine platforms. The company is backed by Venrock, Khosla Ventures, Rustic Canyon and Saints Capital. Transonic operates from Camarillo, Calif. and Detroit, across three facilities totaling more than 70,000 square feet. For more information, visit tscombustion.com.

SOURCE Transonic Combustion, Inc.