D Mike Pennington, retired Meritor Inc employee and former magazine editor, died of a heart attack on December 5. He was 64 years old.
The Memphis TN native earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of Memphis in 1972. Pennington began his career as a reporter and editor for the Southern Motor Cargo Magazine.
As a journalist for trucking publications, he gained the respect and trust of the industry both through his work and his engaging personality. Pennington shifted gears in 1985 when he began working at Meritor--then Rockwell International--as manager of Product Publicity & Business. In the years that followed, he held several roles of increasing responsibility in Marketing. Following the company’s spinoff from Rockwell in 1997, he was promoted to a director responsible for marketing communications in North and South America, then globally, for Meritor.
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. He served as an adviser and editor for various media publications and consultant for multiple industry businesses, including Meritor, which he continued to represent. He dedicated his time to many industry associations and encouraged others to do so as well. Most recently, he was president of ACT I (Allied Committee for the Trucking Industry) and vice-chairman, Communications & Image Policy Committee, American Trucking Associations.
Pennington resided in Fernandina Beach FL with his wife Patsy, but was a longtime resident of Michigan.
The Celebration of Life will be held Friday, December 12, 2014 at 11am at:
The Amelia Island Club
5 Ocean Club Drive
Amelia Island FL 32034