[bio]

Richard F. Dauch holds master degrees in management and in engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and a bachelor of science degree in general engineering and economic management from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Dauch's professional career is two-fold. He began a military career in 1983 as an officer in the U.S. Army. An airborne ranger, his military assignments included combat engineer, platoon leader, executive officer, battalion adjutant, and light infantry company commander.

In 1992, Dauch transferred his engineering, operations and leadership abilities to the private sector, when he joined United Technologies Corporation as a business unit manager, later becoming senior business manager. In 1995, Dauch joined American Axle & Manufacturing as corporate manager of Labor Relations. In May 1996, Dauch was appointed plant manager of AAM's 3,500-plus-associate Detroit Gear & Axle Plant, with responsibility for all manufacturing operations in that facility. He was named director of Strategic & Capacity Planning in February 1998, and he was appointed vice president Manufacturing - Driveline Division in August 1998. Dauch has served as vice president Sales & Marketing, vice president, Financial Planning and vice president, Investor Relations. Prior to assuming his current position in January 2005, Dauch served as vice president, Metal Formed Products Division.