US trucking industry personality D. Mike Pennington passed away unexpectedly last week.
Reportedly, the 64-year-old died of a heart attack while out with his wife and friends near his home in Florida.
Mr Pennington spent a 40-year career in corporate communications and as a business magazine journalist, with a strong focus on trucking and affiliated industries. On occasion, he had also been advising Global Trailer magazine.
Between 1985 to 2010, Pennington also worked for US axle and suspension specialist Rockwell, helping it transition into the Meritor brand we know today.
“Mike's contributions to Meritor during his 25-year tenure, and over the past several years, were extraordinary,” commented Krista Sohm, Vice President, Marketing and Communications.
“He was passionate about the industry. His love for his work and drive for results was contagious. Mike was a mentor, a friend and a gentleman, and he left an impression on us that will not be forgotten. We are all better for having known him.”
Pennington retired from Meritor as Senior Director, Marketing Communications in 2010. He continued working in the industry after his official retirement by forming a consulting business, PenNotes, where he served as an adviser and editor for various media publications and consultant for multiple industry businesses, including Meritor, which he continued to represent.
Among his many industry recognitions over the years was a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Truck Writers of North America in 2008 and Communicator of the Year Award from the same group in 2006.
Mike Pennington will be sorely missed by the trucking community, both in the US and abroad.