Dana Point Concours d'Elegance(TM) Announces 2010 Honorary Judges

DANA POINT, Calif., June 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dana Point Concours d'Elegance™ (www.DanaPointConcours.org) announced the Honorary Judges 28th annual event on June 27, 2010. Included in the list are many Art Center College of Design graduates, major automotive designers and journalists.

"Southern California is among the world's most vibrant automotive centers, both for enthusiasts and for designers," said John Clinard, Concours chief judge.  "Fourteen of the world's auto companies maintain design studios here, and others retain local design consultants.  Just as the Dana Point Concours d'Elegance draws entries from the wealth of outstanding collections in the area, we also gather a panel of honorary judges who are unsurpassed in their expertise.  No other place in the world enjoys such a wealth of local talent and enthusiasm."

Following is a list of the honorary judges:

Sue Callaway, former Vice President and General Manager of Jaguar Cars North America, and current contributor to Fortune, CNNMoney.com, and CBS News' "The Early Show." In addition, Callaway regularly contributes to enthusiast publications, including Ferrari's corporate magazine, Rosso.

Marek Djordjevic spent 15 years with BMW Group before leaving to establish his independent design firm. In his position as chief exterior designer at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and creative director at BMW DesignworksUSA, Djordjevic created the renowned exterior designs of the current Rolls-Royce Phantom family. Djordjevic also teaches Mobility and Advanced Automotive Design at Art Center College of Design.

Joni Gray has managed advertising and marketing programs for over 20 years at Mazda, Hyundai and Honda and has been a senior editor at Kelley Blue Book, the Los Angeles Times and AutoTrader.com.

Ron Hill graduated from the Art Center College of Design and began a 31-year design career with General Motors, in the United States and abroad, his first assignment being the fin treatment for the 1957 Cadillac Eldorado. As chief designer at Chevrolet, Pontiac and Buick, he headed studios that produced the 1965 Corvair, the Vega and the Fiero. In 1985, he began a second career, joining the faculty of Art Center where, until his retirement, he was chairman of transportation design.

Chuck Jordan started his career at GM Styling as a junior designer in 1949. Forty-three years later, in 1992, he retired as vice president of General Motors Design, following in the footsteps of Harley Earl and Bill Mitchell.  Today, he contributes his time as a design instructor in San Diego high schools.

Dave Marek is Senior Chief Designer and Division Director of the Auto Design Studio for Honda R & D Americas. The latest vehicles to come from his studio are the Acura FC Sport and the Honda PNUT show car. Dave graduated with honors in 1987 from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.  He has also been an instructor at the college since 1989 and served on the Art Center Alumni Council.  He uses his free time to create Automotive Fine Art and graphics for Don Schumacher Racing and C.A.R.T. championship cars.  

Barry Meguiar is the third generation guiding force behind Meguiar's Inc., founded in 1901. At his direction, Meguiar's participates in more than 9,000 car shows annually, making the company the market leader in car care products. Barry is the ultimate car guy and host of 'Car Crazy' which is broadcast on SPEED.

Chuck Pelly is a 40 year veteran of the design industry and founder of DesignworksUSA, which is now a BMW subsidiary.  He graduated from Art Center in 1968 and now teaches at Art Center and has received their George Jergenson Design Achievement Award for his contribution.  He is the designer of two of the most successful all-American sports racing cars, the Scarab and the Chaparral.  He is founder of The Design Academy, Inc., where he consults on projects for BMW, Nokia, Magna International, LA Auto Show and others.  He has received over 50 awards of distinction and he contributes to the design profession through articles and lectures worldwide.

Richard Plavetich is a technical design manager for Nissan Design America, responsible for all technical activities in Nissan's design campuses in San Diego and Farmington Hills, Mich. A graduate of General Motors Institute, he began his career with GM Design then working with Isuzu, Mercedes-Benz and Mitsubishi before joining Nissan.

Frank Saucedo graduated from the Art Center College of Design and began his career at Mattel Toys before turning to full-sized cars at Opel in Germany. He then joined General Motors' Advanced Concepts Center in California, lending his talents to the Geo Storm, CK pickup and Chevrolet Corvette. After a term as chief designer at Volkswagen's Design Center, he rejoined GM as the first director of their West Coast design headquarters in North Hollywood, responsible for developing many of GM's concept vehicles.

Gerhard Steinle is the senior director of operations for BMW Group DesignworksUSA. He began his career at Mercedes-Benz as exterior designer for passenger cars and commercial vehicles, eventually becoming president of Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design of North America.

Jeff Teague graduated from the Art Center College of Design and his subsequent work for Volkswagen, Mitsubishi and Ford included studios in America, Japan, Germany and Korea. He then founded his own firm, Teague Designs, Inc.  In addition to his many design credits, he launched the automotive design program at Academy Art University in San Francisco, where he continues to serve on the board of directors.

Freeman Thomas graduated from the Art Center College of Design and began his career with Porsche. His career took then took him to Audi, Volkswagen and Chrysler. His resume includes the Audi TT Concept, the VW Concept 1 (Beetle), and the "Noble American Sedan" strategy that evolved into the Chrysler 300. Now director, Strategic Concepts Group for Ford Motor Company, he is responsible for long-term design strategy.  

Akino Tsuchiya joined Chrysler following graduation from Art Center College of Design.  In addition to her lead role in creating the Dodge Razor Concept, she holds the distinction of having a concept vehicle named after its designer, the Chrysler Akino Concept Vehicle that debuted in 2006.

Roger Zrimec studied automotive design at the Art Center College of Design and worked as an automotive designer in the United States for 30 years, for Chrysler Motors in Europe, for Chrysler UK, Jaguar Cars and AB Volvo. Roger also worked for Mitsubishi Motors of America as executive director, and as VP of design for CX Tech. He has had art exhibitions of his paintings in Detroit, Los Angeles, England, Sweden and Japan.

The Dana Point Concours d'Elegance™ is still taking entries for vehicles and motorcycles.

Entry forms for vehicles can be found online at:  http://www.danapointconcours.org/dana-point/exhibitors/index.php or call +1 800.839.7520 x2 for more information on exhibiting your vehicle.

Entry forms for motorcycles can be found online at:  http://www.danapointconcours.org/dana-point/exhibitors/motorcycle.php or call +1 714.539.2935 for more information on exhibiting your motorcycle.

The 28th Annual Dana Point Concours d'Elegance™ will take place on Sunday, June 27, 2010 on the Monarch Beach Golf Links at the prestigious St. Regis resort in Dana Point, California. This year's event will feature 100 years of Alfa Romeo and celebrate 80 years of design from Pininfarina. The Dana Point Concours d'Elegance™ is a volunteer-run, 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, with excess proceeds supporting the Ocean Institute, the Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center at Hoag Hospital and other Southern California youth charities. The event is operated primarily as a Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) Concours, with additional classes showcasing interesting and relevant automobiles. Southern California is the automotive culture capital of the world with a deep history in design, customization and motorsports. The Dana Point Concours™ organizing committee aspires to create a premier automotive event that showcases this rich heritage. General admission tickets are $30 in advance and $35 the day of the event. Children under 12 have complimentary admission. To purchase tickets, and get more information, please visit www.DanaPointConcours.org

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