About Us
Rob Simons
ACS was founded by industry veteran Rob Simons. With over 20 years of experience in powertrain engineering, vehicle development, emissions compliance, operations and executive management, Rob is the perfect partner to help your business succeed. Rob has a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland, and an MBA from USC. He holds several US patents, and is noted for such accomplishments as the launch of the Saleen S7 super-car and green fielding the Edelbrock E-Force supercharger product line. Rob is also very active within the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) serving as the Chair of the Emerging Trends and Technology Network, ETTN.
derk hartland
A versatile innovative automotive engineer with advanced CAD and simulation capabilities. Over the last 20 years Derk designed just about every part on a car. With a background in motorsport Derk was involved in the design and build of the Saleen S7 supercar and the Kepler Motion. Using Siemens NX & SOLIDWORKS, he has experience with complex designs and assemblies as well as flow and strength analysis. Derk and his team at ACS can provide complete cad models and drawings and reverse engineering of existing components. We will work around your specific needs.
Stephen Ruiz
Stephen Ruiz has extensive experience with powertrain calibration for internal combustion engines and transmissions to meet specific engineering requirements. Stephen is known for integrating engineering requirements such as power, emissions, drivability, durability, and mileage, into OEM controllers and powertrains with aftermarket engine components for production that are EPA and CARB compliant. Stephen also has a motorsports background that enables him to understand and appreciate the specific performance requirements needed while preserving emissions compliance. This experience is not limited to passenger cars and light-duty trucks, it expands to Large Spark-Ignition engines for industrial use and their specific requirements. Stephen and ACS can provide complete powertrain calibration support and integration for your specific project.
dan agnew
With over 40 years in the business, Dan has been a technical leader with a strong engineering record of accomplishments and global experience with automotive products from the OE manufacturers, performance motorsports, heavy-duty and off-road, defense, HVAC, and aftermarket industries. He is an experienced team builder who has successfully created and then directed several engineering specialist groups having responsibility for injection molded and cast products from concept engineering to production manufacturing and has been the developer of not only critically acclaimed products, but also engineering methods and processes. In addition, Dan is skilled with many aspects of design and computer 1-D and 3-D simulation for IC engines, electric propulsion systems, and vehicle performance. Experience working in multi-cultural teams in Europe, Asia, and North America, and communicating with people at all levels, has made Dan knowledgeable and practiced with the commercial business aspects of engineering, sales, quote proposals, supplier development, and strategic planning to meet challenging program requirements.
Scott Herrmann
Scott holds a BS in Airframe and Powerplant Technology and a Masters in Manufacturing Engineering. He is a certified lean and Six Sigma Black Belt. His entire life He has always been involved in racing of motorcycles, cars and boats. He has over 35 years of experience in manufacturing and operations with most of that time in the performance automotive industry. He also has experience in the aerospace, electronics and furniture manufacturing industries. He has built, relocated or expanded multiple plants all over the US. He first found his passion for manufacturing after converting a manual machine shop to cnc machining in the mid 1980’s. He continued his education to enhance his knowledge in the field of computer and automation for manufacturing and operations.
GABE SMITH
Gabe Smith is a mechanical engineer with a Bachelor's, Master’s, and PhD from the University of Maryland. Over a career spanning 25 years, he has excelled in design, analysis, testing, and validation, with specialized expertise in MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) and smart materials for piezoelectric transducers and shape memory alloys, including Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) and NiTi. Gabe's mastery of finite element analysis spans micro to macro scales. He has coauthored and advised a remarkable portfolio of 54 journal articles and 19 patents. His innovative prowess and dedication to excellence position him as an industry leader, driving transformative advancements in mechanical engineering.
PETER TREYDTE
Peter’s career spans 35+ years in the automotive industry. His expertise includes emissions compliance, internal combustion engine technologies, data acquisition, data analysis, vehicle testing and racing strategy. He has particular knowledge of diesel engines and the emissions compliance challenges associated with them. Peter led the effort to build the SEMA Compliance Center and was the driving force behind SEMA Certified. His relationships with government agencies like CARB and EPA provide ACS with the right tools to ensure the best compliance strategies for customers.
JASON HAINES
Jason Haines is a highly accomplished engineer with over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry. He holds dual degrees from the University of Pennsylvania: a BAS in Mechanical Engineering and a BSE in Entrepreneurial Business Management from the Wharton School of Business, providing him with a strong foundation in both technical and business principles. Jason has held key leadership roles at prominent organizations, including Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, a renowned provider of high-performance automotive solutions, and Nostrum High Performance, a leader in aftermarket direct and port fuel injection components. At these organizations, he successfully led product development as well as component and vehicle testing teams. His comprehensive expertise spans a wide range of areas, including engine and vehicle testing, powertrain calibration, performance optimization, data analysis, new product design, and business development, demonstrating his strong leadership in the automotive industry.
BRADEN LIBERG
Braden brings 30 plus years of powertrain development background to the art of automotive regulatory compliance and negotiation. Specific expertise obtaining CARB, EPA, and NHTSA compliance with challenging low volume, niche, alternatively powered, vehicle applications. Braden also adds a combination of credentialed program management expertise in development of solutions for automotive emissions, OBD-II, and powertrain control strategies. Additionally, Braden has deep technical understanding in development of powertrain software, control systems, and calibrations for advanced powertrains (electric, plug-in hybrid, hydrogen engines, fuel cells, heavy duty engines, and high-performance gasoline and diesel applications).