SOUTHFIELD – The Engineering Society of Detroit has named Matt Roush, former technology editor of WWJ Newsradio 950, as its new Director of Communications and Public Relations.

Roush, 57, is a veteran science and technology journalist who has worked in Michigan his entire 35-year career.

At ESD, Roush will support the organization?s mission to provide quality educational development programs and networking opportunities to engineering, science and technology professionals, as well as to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) educational and employment opportunities to students.

Roush will also work with the ESD Institute, modeled after the National Academy of Sciences, which tackles community challenges through policy proposals generated in symposia of leaders from government, industry, labor, civic groups and the academic community.

?We are happy to have Matt?s talents driving the growth of ESD,? said Darlene Trudell, ESD?s executive vice president. ?And we thank Della Cassia for her seven years of great work as public relations and communications director, and wish her well in her new post managing communications at Detroit Public Television.?

Added Roush: ?I?ve been a part of ESD for years as a volunteer, serving as host, moderator and master of ceremonies at various events. It?s a fantastic opportunity for me to now support this great organization as part of its team.?

Roush received a Distinguished Service Award from the ESD for his work in advancing public understanding of the engineering profession.

Before joining ESD, Roush spent 12 years as technology editor of WWJ Newsradio 950, where he wrote a daily e-mail newsletter covering high tech from a Michigan perspective, and also contributed to on-air reports. Prior to that, he spent more than 10 years at Crain?s Detroit Business, covering banking, finance, retailing and high tech. Earlier he worked in community and business journalism at the Kalamazoo Gazette, the Traverse City Record-Eagle, the Leelanau Enterprise and the Three Rivers Commercial. He has received numerous journalism awards from the Associated Press, UPI and the Association of Area Business Publications, and was the U.S. Small Business Administration?s 2009 Michigan Small Business Journalist of the Year.

A native of Three Rivers, Roush is a 1978 graduate of Albion College. He resides in Dearborn with his wife, Sue. They have two adult children.

ESD is one of the largest and oldest multi-disciplinary engineering societies in the nation. Its membership represents many industries and related technical fields, including automotive; utilities; construction and design; information technology; materials, chemicals and steel; and education and research. With several hundred corporate and several thousand individual members throughout the Great Lakes Region, ESD unites engineers, scientists, architects and those in related technical fields in a common goal ? the advancement and promotion of engineering and technical professions.

The Society?s programs and services are dedicated to enhancing engineering and technical professions and the community, while encouraging growth and development of engineers and scientists for the future.