DETROIT, April 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Recognizing his contributions to the community, American Axle & Manufacturing (NYSE: AXL) Co-Founder, Chairman of the Board & CEO Richard E. Dauch was honored with the Distinguished Citizen Award presented by the Great Lakes Council of the Boy Scouts of America. In addition to the award, the Council presented Dauch with six merit badges reflecting his involvement in athletics, his citizenship, and his 48-year career in the automotive industry.

Dauch was honored Tuesday night at ceremonies held at the Renaissance Center, Marriott in Detroit. The chairman of the event was Dr. David Cole, chairman emeritus of the Center for Automotive Research. Guy Gordon, news anchor at WDIV-TV in Detroit, was the master of ceremonies.

"It is a great honor to receive this recognition from the Great Lakes Council," said Dauch. "AAM is proud of its long-time partnership with the Great Lakes Council to support youth programming in our community."

"Throughout his academic and professional career, Dick Dauch has demonstrated leadership skills that have brought honor to him, his community and to AAM," said Scout Executive of the Great Lakes Council Richard Fisher. "His tremendous support of Scouting in Detroit has enabled many young men to learn valuable lessons that shape strong character traits, leadership skills and citizenship."

During his tenure as Executive Vice President of Worldwide Manufacturing at Chrysler Corporation in the 1980s and early 1990s, Dauch was a standard bearer for the Friends of Scouting Campaign. Since that time, he has served as Friends of Scouting Division Chairman and served twice as General Chair of the Friends of Scouting Campaign. He led the reinvention of the campaign in 1998 to expand the base for fundraising. His leadership has helped raise millions of dollars for the organization. Dauch served on the Council's Executive Board from 1995 to 2011. The Dauch family and the associates of AAM remain active participants and supporters of the Council's events and campaigns.

The purpose of the Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner is to create a better awareness for Scouting in the community," added Fisher. "It is our annual event held to recognize individuals whose contributions reflect the ideals found in the Scout Oath and Law; and who have provided community service and raised funds to benefit Scouting in the Detroit Metropolitan Area."

The Distinguished Citizen Award has been in existence since 1997. Past recipients include: Anthony Earley, Jr., former chairman and chief executive officer of DTE Corp.; James B. Nicholson, president and CEO of PVS Chemicals, Inc.; and Peter Karmanos, executive chairman of the board of Compuware.

About AAM

AAM is a world leader in the manufacture, engineering, design and validation of driveline and drivetrain systems and related components and modules, chassis systems and metal-formed products for trucks, sport utility vehicles, passenger cars and crossover utility vehicles.  In addition to locations in the United States (Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania), AAM also has offices or facilities in Brazil, China, Germany, India, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Poland, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand and the United Kingdom.

SOURCE American Axle & Manufacturing