AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. — A celebration of life will be held Dec. 12 at 11 a.m. in honour of D. Mike Pennington, a longtime industry advocate and public relations professional who died suddenly last week.

The celebration will be held at The Amelia Island Club at 5 Ocean Club Drive, Amelia Island, Fla.

Pennington worked for Meritor for 25 years before launching his own venture, PenNotes LLC in 2010.

“Mike’s contributions to Meritor during his 25-year tenure, and over the past several years, were extraordinary,” said 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.”

The Memphis, Tenn. native launched his career as a reporter and editor for Southern Motor Cargo Magazine, after graduating from University of Memphis in 1972.

He joined Meritor – then Rockwell International – in 1985 as manager of product publicity and business and rose through the ranks, eventually overseeing marketing communications globally for the company.

Pennington was passionate about the industry and worked tirelessly to promote its image through initiatives such as Trucker Buddy International and most recently, Trucking Moves America Forward.

Meritor announced that it will make a contribution to Trucker Buddy International, a non-profit organization that matches professional drivers with schoolchildren as penpals.