DETROIT, MI — The Remanufacturing Industries Council (RIC) is proud to announce that Jeff Stukenborg, Head of North America Portfolio Management Aftermarket at ZF Group, has been named the recipient of the 2025 RIC Distinguished Service Award.
This annual award recognizes one individual who goes above and beyond to strengthen remanufacturing as a whole — dedicating time, leadership, and expertise to benefit the industry at large. Jeff Stukenborg truly exemplifies this spirit of service and collaboration.
When the RIC Vice Chair stepped down mid-term, Stukenborg was elected to fill the position, bringing with him deep technical expertise and a strategic vision for the future of remanufacturing. Only a month later, following another leadership transition, he stepped up once again — this time as Chair of RIC, where he served for more than two years.
During his tenure, Jeff guided the Council through significant growth and transformation, overseeing committee expansions, new educational initiatives, and strengthening RIC’s voice in national and international policy discussions. His leadership helped lay the foundation for RIC’s current strategic plan and elevated the organization’s role in advancing sustainability and circularity across manufacturing sectors.
Even after his term as Chair concluded, Jeff continued his involvement as Immediate Past Chair, offering mentorship and steady guidance to the Executive Committee. He also serves as Chair of the Remanufacturing Association Alliance, promoting collaboration across partner organizations, and has additionally contributed through his work on RIC’s Finance, R&D, Marketing & Membership, and Advocacy Committees.
“Jeff is the kind of leader who doesn’t seek the spotlight — but whose actions inspire everyone around him,” said Nabil Nasr, RIC Board Member and Associate Provost and Director of the Golisano Institute for Sustainability at Rochester Institute of Technology. “His dedication, humility, and commitment to collaboration have made a lasting impact on both RIC and the global remanufacturing community.”
As part of the Distinguished Service Award, RIC also provides a $3,000 scholarship donation to a program of the recipient’s choice, reinforcing the Council’s commitment to giving back to local communities and supporting future generations of innovators.
“Jeff’s leadership has helped shape the future of RIC and strengthened the foundation for the remanufacturing industry as a whole,” said Jeff Sutherland, RIC Board Chair. “This recognition is a reflection of his remarkable contributions and unwavering commitment to advancing our industry.”
The award was presented during the RIC-RIT World Remanufacturing Conference in Detroit, Michigan.
“This recognition means a lot to me because it represents the strength of the remanufacturing community,” said Jeff Stukenborg. “Every achievement in this industry comes from collaboration — people working together to find solutions, share ideas, and move the needle forward for everyone.”