The University of Iowa Center for Computer-Aided Design has made two key director appointments at its National Advanced Driving Simulator and Advanced Manufacturing Technology program.

Daniel McGehee, director of the Human Factors and Vehicle Safety Research Division of the University of Iowa’s Public Policy Center, has been appointed director of the National Advanced Driving Simulator (NADS) at the University of Iowa’s Center for Computer-Aided Design (CCAD), effective August 17, 2016. CCAD is a research unit of the UI College of Engineering. He also will become associate professor of mechanical and industrial engineering. In addition, he holds faculty positions in occupational health and emergency medicine at the UI. McGehee has studied car crashes for over 20 years and is a leading expert. His driver performance, distraction, and technology development research has led to innovative, interdisciplinary collaborations involving engineering, medicine, and public health.

McGehee replaces Herm Reininga, who has served as NADS' interim director since 2009. Reininga will move to a new role at CCAD as Director of the Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMTECH) program. This includes a significant effort with the the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute, a federally funded research and development organization of UI LABS that encourages factories across America to deploy digital manufacturing and design technologies in order to become more efficient and cost-competitive. Reininga was senior vice president of operations for Rockwell Collins and was a corporate officer of Rockwell Collins, where he was responsible for overall management of Rockwell Collins' global production and material operations.