Jim Castellano, B.S.E.’87, is vice president design engineering xEV at Hitachi Astemo where he leads a team of engineers who are designing motor/generators, inverters, battery controllers, and drive units for many of the top automotive manufacturers (OEMs). His responsibilities entail the North American plants making the electrified components. He is passionate about reducing the world’s carbon footprint and growing electrified vehicles.
Sandeep Badida, M.S.'94, is the founder and CEO of Apex Semiconductor Inc. - a Bay area startup, specializing in delivering complex, high-performance and low-power SoCs, chiplets, and system designs using bleeding-edge FinFET process technologies. Badida graduated from WMU in 1994 with a master’s degree in computer science specializing in VLSI design and joined AMD in the Silicon Valley as a design automation engineer. While at WMU, Badida published several research papers in the field of MCM routing. He also co-authored a book on MCM packaging technology titled Introduction to Multichip Modules.
Jason Joseph, B.S.E.’97, is the chief digital and information officer for Corewell Health where he leads strategic and operational information services with a primary focus on creating efficiencies and simplifying experiences through digital technology and automation. Joseph leads efforts across all categories of technology including applications, cybersecurity, data and analytics, clinical technology and emergency preparedness services.
David Nall, B.S.E’86, is a 37-year veteran of the healthcare industry and currently is vice president of planning and strategic development, partnerships, and human resources at Covenant HealthCare. 
Paul Pagano, B.S.E.’10, is a project superintendent for Walbridge building design and construction consultants. In this role, he completed work on the new $100 million WMU Student Center and Dining Facility, where he was a lead building enclosure and interior finishes superintendent. In 2010, he worked as a project engineer on the $69 million Sangren Hall. Pagano looks forward to representing Bronco Nation on the $3.5 billion Ford BlueOval Battery Park.
Anne Saad, B.S.E.'06, is senior leader for verticals integration in the test organization at The Boeing Company. She has been in test leadership since 2019, and is a career-long test engineer at heart.
Greg Serkaian, B.S.E.’06, serves as a lead program manager at Target Corporation, leading the lighting asset management team. His responsibilities include developing and managing the capital replacement program for lights, including retrofitting over 500 sites annually. His cross-functional leadership earned him Target’s Big Dog Award in 2021.
Matthew Simon, B.S.’96, M.S.’03, is a research and development engineering manager at Parker Hannifin where he leads projects in the development and commercialization of complex hydraulic assemblies for global customers. He manages an engineering team responsible for the development of hydraulic pump products. Simon joined Parker as a product engineer in 1995. He has served as a design engineer on Parker’s Boeing 787 main hydraulic pumps project and as senior engineer, working on hydrostatic and hydraulic transmissions. 
Robb Smalldon, B.S.’00, is the president of Landscape Forms’ structure business segment, responsible for rapid growth in the landscape architecture and commercial exterior space industry. Landscape Forms’ structure solutions include powered louvered roof systems, decorative barrier systems, exterior space defining wall systems, and exploring new solutions including planted green wall systems and surface grade architectural elements. Smalldon joined Landscape Forms in 1998 as an intern; in 2001 he began full-time work as a manufacturing engineer. He joined the Landscape Forms management team in 2013 and executive team in 2017. Smalldon was developed as a future leader within Landscape Forms, throughout periods of design industry change, company growth, and exposure to all aspects of the business. Smalldon has created strong teams within Landscape Forms and has forged many initiatives, including Studio 431, the custom product division, into the preferred industry partner in branded solutions, through strategic relationship building and delivering value-added performance to venue projects. 
Mark Zempel, B.S.E.’92, is vice president and general manager for Axchem USA, the U.S. business of Axchem Group, a global leader in specialty chemical programs and solutions for the pulp and paper industry. Prior to taking on this role in 2019, Zempel held sales, marketing, supply chain, and business management roles at Ecolab Nalco Water, Georgia-Pacific Chemicals, AkzoNobel Eka Chemicals and BetzDearborn Hercules. He started his career as a process engineer and supervisor at Miami Paper. The true beginning to his industry experience, however, was working as a student in the WMU Paper Pilot Plant with Jack McCoy and Andy Lapekas. He learned more invaluable lessons while interning at Crown Vantage. Zempel also holds an MBA from Kennesaw State University (Georgia).
Mark Clapper, B.S.E.’13
Joanna Croes, B.S.’17
Alex Fleck, B.S.E.’18, M.S.’23
Dr. Kendra Fein, B.S.E.’15
Jesse Hendershot, B.S.E.’14
Lance McCauley, B.S.E.’17Brian Pahl, B.S.E.’80
Department of Chemical and Paper Engineering
Managing director of the Paper Technology Foundation
Western Michigan University
Brian Pahl, B.S.E.’80, is the managing director for the Paper Technology Foundation at Western Michigan University. From 2008-17, he served as president and CEO of BTG Group based in Eclepens, Switzerland. Prior to that he was the head of papermaking effects for CIBA Specialty Chemicals in Basel, Switzerland, and president of the paper technology division of Hercules, Inc. from 2001-2005. He joined Hercules, Inc. in 1980 as a technical representative in Portland, Oregon, and moved through various assignments in sales, marketing and business management over 25 years in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and at Hercules’ headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware.
Brian earned his Bachelor of Science in paper engineering in 1980. In his local church, Brian serves in the Stephen Ministry to those suffering hardship.
Favorite Bronco memory: September 1976 move in day into Valley II !
Nathan Tate, B.S.E.’08
Department of Chemical and Paper Engineering
Senior Manager of Engineering and Maintenance
Perrigo
Nathan Tate is a senior manager of engineering and maintenance for Perrigo, a leading global self-care company. Tate has responsibility for the facility engineering and maintenance team, tablet manufacturing engineering and maintenance team, and warehouse engineering and maintenance team. He has led the tablet manufacturing engineering team to successfully implement improved manufacturing equipment in multiple unit operations of high-volume, over-the-counter medicine, significantly increasing quality and productivity. Additionally, Tate has been able to lead several efforts focused on improving Perrigo's award-winning apprenticeship program for skilled trades, including working with peers to improve outreach to local high schools and technical centers to encourage and develop the next generation.
Tate has been with Perrigo for 13 years and started as an intern from WMU. Because of his experience, he is very passionate about the internship program and connection to WMU. He has recruited at WMU career fairs many times, presented in intro to chemical engineering classes, and has been leading the overall engineering internship program at Perrigo for the past four years.
Favorite Bronco memory: Winning the 2005 Indoor Dorm League Flag Football Intramural Championship!!
Jason Thomas, B.S.E. ’08, M.S. ’11
Department of Chemical and Paper Engineering
Director, Life Science Design Market
Clark, Richardson and Biskup
Jason Thomas received his B.S.E. in chemical engineering as a member of the Lee Honors College and graduated cum laude. He went on to receive his M.S. in engineering management while working full time and later obtained his Professional Engineering license. Throughout his time at WMU, Thomas was an active member in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the National Society of Black Engineers. He was also a member of the men’s club soccer organization, where he served as vice president and two-time national tournament participant.
Thomas has spent the majority of his professional career at Clark, Richardson and Biskup. CRB provides consulting, design and construction management services supporting the life science and food and beverage industries. He currently serves as a director, life science design market team leader. In this role, Thomas leads a team of approximately 50 engineers, architects and administrators to deliver technical solutions to clients in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio and Indiana.
Thomas met his wife Betsy during his first week at WMU. After dating throughout undergrad, they were married in 2010 and were honored to help WMU break the Guinness World Record for the largest vow renewal in 2016.
Favorite Bronco memory: Winning the Midwest Alliance Soccer Conference, which includes Michigan State University, University of Michigan, and Ohio State University, and leading WMU to a top 16 finish at the NIRSA national tournament.
Robert Michael Krueger, B.S.E.’90
Department of Civil and Construction Engineering
Vice President – Operations
Fessler & Bowman
Rob Krueger currently serves as the vice president – operations at Fessler & Bowman. Joining the leadership team at Fessler & Bowman in 2019, Krueger was tapped to improve the company’s competitive advantage through operational excellence across five regional offices. His primary focus is on operational alignment of management functions and field production. By empowering the tradeswomen and tradesmen with cutting-edge technology, Fessler & Bowman is advancing the paperless jobsite. Krueger continues to emphasize employee engagement while leading a team of 16 department directors. Under his operational leadership, Fessler & Bowman has grown to become one of the 15 largest commercial concrete contractors in the country. Previously, Krueger served as the chief executive officer and chief operating officer at Wieland Corporation, a national general contractor and construction manager.
Graduating from WMU with a Bachelor of Science in construction management and business, Krueger was awarded the Presidential Scholar in Engineering Technology. He also holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan.
Krueger holds several prominent roles throughout the construction industry and his local community. Most recently, he serves as the co-chair of the industrial advisory board for the WMU Department of Civil and Construction Engineering.
Favorite Bronco memory: Sledding down the hill at Waldo Stadium on cafeteria trays. I'm sure we returned the trays to the cafeteria after we were finished.
Frederic Rowe, B.S.E.'77
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Retired Automation Engineer
Kendall Electric
Frederic Rowe is retired from Kendall Electric where he was employed for nearly 33 years as an automation engineer, assisting customers in Southwest Michigan and Northeast Indiana with their factory automation needs. Although his main focus was sales, he relished the opportunity to get involved with the design, startup, training, and troubleshooting of their Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) systems. In 1993, he was awarded the Charles Kodis Award (Kendall Founders Award).
Rowe earned his Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering in 1977 and remained at WMU as a full-time instructor, teaching freshman- and sophomore-level courses in the electrical engineering department until 1980. He was then hired by General Motors as an Associate Controls Engineer for the HydraMatic plant in Three Rivers, Michigan, before accepting an offer to work at Kendall Electric in 1981. Rowe also had the opportunity to teach a service course for non-electrical majors in the electrical engineering department from 2002 to 2005 during the transition to the Parkview campus.
Favorite Bronco memory: My favorite Bronco memories are from my engineering laboratories experiences. As a freshman and sophomore, I quickly realized how little I knew about electrical engineering, especially compared to those students who already had real-world experience. But the lab instructors like Dr. Mason and Mr. Kelemen shared their substantial knowledge of all things electrical which helped me get ready to enter the profession of electrical engineering. I liked the coursework, but I really liked the labs because of the collaboration with other students.
Roshan Gidwani, M.S.’91
Department of Computer Science
Senior Technical Program Manager
Meta Platforms
Roshan Gidwani is a senior technical program manager at Meta Platforms, working on system-on-chip solutions for augmented reality products.
Gidwani graduated from WMU in 1991 with a master’s degree in computer science and joined AMD in the Silicon Valley as a design automation engineer. During this time, he worked at Sun, Ericsson and several startups in various capacities.
Before joining Meta in 2021, Gidwani spent several years at Apple, where he worked on silicon and technologies that enabled many products, including the MagSafe Battery Pack, MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, Mac Pro, iMac, iMac Pro, and most recently the Apple Silicon based Macs.
While at WMU, Gidwani published several research papers earning him the Research and Creative Scholar award in April 1990.
Gidwani earned his B.S. degree in electrical and electronics engineering from the University of Bombay.
Favorite Bronco memory: Teaching my first undergraduate computer science course as a TA.
Mark Hayley, B.S.E.‘93
Engineering Design, Manufacturing, and Management Systems
Battery Plant Manager
BlueOval SK
Mark Hayley is currently Battery Plant Manager at BlueOval SK, leading the manufacturing operations for the recently announced joint venture for Ford Motor Company and SK to deliver a greenfield battery manufacturing facility in Kentucky to support the EV transformation. Prior to his current role, Hayley held various positions at Ford throughout the globe, including Assistant Plant Manager at Sterling Axle Plant, China Powertrain Manufacturing Engineering Program Director, Changan Ford Plant Manager Advisor for Powertrain Operations, Asia Pacific Production Engineering & Planning Manager, and Changan Ford Transmission Plant Chief of Manufacturing Engineering.
Hayley joined Ford in 1994 and has over 28+ years of manufacturing experience in engineering and operations, having launched complex powertrain programs in casting, engine, transmission, axles across the globe, including greenfield sites in China. He has led large diverse multicultural teams to successful Best in World Manufacturing results. He was a key contributor for ICE and EV manufacturing footprint development, including multiple new process technologies and supporting new suppliers to high volume manufacturing.
Hayley graduated from WMU in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in engineering metallurgy. He also received a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan.
Favorite Bronco memory: I had so many opportunities to meet lifelong Bronco friends to this day that I do life with including being blessed with meeting my wife Nikki at Western!
Dr. Bob White, B.S.E.’72, M.S.‘76
Department of Industrial and Entrepreneurial Engineering and Engineering Management
Professor
Western Michigan University
Dr. Bob White, P.E., is a professor of industrial and entrepreneurial engineering at Western Michigan University and is the coordinator of the industrial engineering Ph.D. program. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering from WMU in 1972, and after working as a corporate industrial engineer joined WMU in 1973 as the director of off-campus engineering and technical programs. He has had the opportunity to work with thousands of undergraduate and graduate students, supervising numerous senior design projects, master’s theses and Ph.D. dissertations.
White has been recognized several times for excellent teaching. In 1986, he was named the outstanding engineering laboratory instructor in the United States by the American Society for Engineering Education. In 1994, he received the Alumni Teaching Award, the highest award given by WMU for teaching. In 2022, he was recognized by the Office of Disability Student services with the Outstanding Faculty Award, which is given to one WMU faculty member each year. He has also been chosen by over 25 student Presidential Scholars as the faculty member most influential in their academic career.
White has been a consultant to over 50 local and national companies. He has numerous journal publications and conference proceedings and has served in leadership positions in the American Society for Engineering Education and the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers. He received his master’s in operations research from WMU and his Ph.D. from Iowa State University. He is a registered professional engineer in Michigan.
Favorite Bronco Memory: Going to the home games during the 1975-76 men’s basketball season, when the Broncos went 25 – 3, advanced to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen, and finished the season ranked #10 in the country.
Dr. Claudia Fajardo-Hansford, B.S.E.'02
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Professor
Western Michigan University
Dr. Claudia Fajardo-Hansford is a professor of mechanical engineering at Western Michigan University. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from WMU in 2002 and her master and doctoral degrees from the University of Michigan. Fajardo-Hansford found and directs the WMU Combustion and Flow Research Laboratory, where she conducts research in the areas of turbulence, combustion and non-intrusive experimental diagnostics, with emphasis on energy conversion. Her research is funded by federal agencies, foundations and industry and has been published in numerous journals and conference proceedings.
While at WMU, Fajardo-Hansford has enjoyed working with many undergraduate and graduate students in the classroom and laboratory and as an advisor to extracurricular activities, such as the WMU Formula SAE student organization. She has supervised numerous master theses and doctoral dissertations, as well as senior design and undergraduate research projects.
Fajardo-Hansford has an extensive research and collaboration record with industry and national and international academic institutions. Since 2015, she has served as director of the Center for Advanced Vehicle Design and Simulation, an interdisciplinary center that collaborates with industry and government partners to address technical challenges in the transportation industry. Fajardo-Hansford was honored with the 2008 Silver Combustion Medal from the Combustion Institute, the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences Outstanding New Educator Award in 2010, and WMU’s Excellence in Discovery Award (2012-2017). She is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Society of Automotive Engineers, and the Combustion Institute.
Favorite Bronco memory: Meeting my husband (a fellow Bronco) while working on WMU's Sunseeker vehicle project.
Jonathan Strombeck, B.S.E.'06
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Engineering Senior Manager - Everett Delivery Center
Boeing Company
Jonathan Strombeck, B.S.E.’06, joined the Boeing Company in 2010 and is currently the engineering senior manager at the company’s Everett Delivery Center. He is responsible for flight performance and the center’s factory support collaboration center. Throughout his Boeing career, he has managed and led teams in production automation, customer introductions, certification and stress analysis.
Prior to joining Boeing, Strombeck had a wide range of experience in the aviation industry, primarily in the design, analysis and certification of multiple modification and repair projects, including the repair of a damaged composite space test vehicle, a re-engine supplemental type certificate and glass cockpit installations on multiple aircraft.
Jonathan earned his Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from Western in 2006.
Favorite Bronco memory: AIAA roadtrip to Naval Air Station Patuxent River for our Design, Build, Fly competition. It was a great bonding experience with my fellow students and we got a VIP tour of the Naval base.
Robert A. Hansen is senior vice president and chief technology officer at Albany International. He previously served as Vice President – Corporate Research and Development from April 2006 to January 2010.
Amber Thomas is the director of public works and village engineer for Village of Grafton, Wisconsin where she leads the engineering, public works and water/wastewater utility departments. This position has allowed her to grow her knowledge in many different areas while focusing on public service.
Steve Sedore is the executive director of operations for Allegan County where he leads efforts to increase organizational efficiency through the use of continuous improvement methodologies and performance measurements. He also is responsible for providing management, leadership and direction to the operations team consisting of the information services, facilities management and central dispatch departments. He works closely with his leadership team to perform workflow analyses across county processes in order to develop strategies to support the organizational vision of providing citizens with superior and innovative services. During
Dave Hartmann joined the University of Michigan Office of Technology Transfer as a mentor-in-residence in 2008 where he has focused on Physical Science new company formation advisory and first time C level mentoring. He also serves on the advisory boards of the university’s MBA Zell Laurie Commercialization Fund, MEDC funded MTRAC translational fund, and Center for Entrepreneurship as a mentor in establishing the first cohort of the NSF iCorps.
Andrew Malpass is vice president of business processes and systems for EJ, a company specializing in providing infrastructure access solutions globally. Malpass has worked in a variety of roles at EJ including positions in the quality department and leading product development, marketing, and distribution. He also worked in France at the EJ foundry near Paris. His most recent role was leading the implementation of a global ERP system. Malpass began his career as a quality manager for City Aluminum Foundry before joining East Jordan Iron Works, now EJ, in 1999. He earned his Bachelor of Science in 1996 from WMU and received a Master of Business Administration in 1999 from Oakland University (Michigan).
Courtney Stevens is the director of virtual care for Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, one of the nation’s leading comprehensive, integrated health systems. In 2016, she accepted this leadership role in virtual care, developing the strategy and standards for telehealth expansion throughout Henry Ford Health System’s continuum of care.
Mike Preston is the engineering manager for engineering functional excellence, vehicle group at Eaton Corporation. He also has responsibility for the materials engineering and reliability engineering Centers of Excellence. Preston has worked at Eaton Corporation for over 13 years in a variety of roles, beginning in the hydraulics group working on hydraulic hybrid technologies. One of his career highlights was supporting a prototype UPS vehicle delivering packages with a hydraulic hybrid drivetrain. His career path eventually led him to the vehicle group where he has spent most of his time in either reliability engineering or systems engineering. Preston started his career as a test engineer at Parker Hannifin within their aerospace group. He is passionate about WMU and has been involved with the university for many years. Most recently, he has served as chair of the Industrial Advisory Board for the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. He has also been involved in the advisory board for the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and various industry events across the engineering and business colleges and served as a mentor in the Broncos FIRST program.
Dave Schulte serves as managing director of India, Southeast Asia, and Asia Pacific marketing at Boeing, a role he assumed in December 2020. He directs Boeing’s marketing activities supporting the sale of Boeing commercial airplanes to customers in the region as well as the development of analyses and strategies to help inform and shape Boeing’s market share. Prior to his current position, Schulte spent 10 years in the Boeing commercial airplanes sales and marketing organization, with responsibilities including maintenance and operational economics analysis. He also worked as regional marketing director, working closely with customers throughout Asia. Schulte has extensive technical and engineering experience in multiple roles including new airplane product development. Prior to joining Boeing in 2005, Schulte held positions at Reliant Airline and Roush. He graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering and holds a Master of Science from the University of Texas, as well as a Master of Business Administration from Seattle University.
After graduating from Western Michigan University, Amy Armichardy joined Lockheed Martin Corporation, a global defense and aerospace company, where she has worked for 15 years. While at Lockheed Martin, she has held various positions in Systems Integration & Test, Systems Engineering, Program Management, and Supply Chain. Armichardy has worked at several Lockheed Martin sites, starting with Mission Systems and Sensors in Minneapolis, Minnesota, followed by Aeronautics in Fort Worth, Texas, and currently with Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS) in Marinette, Wisconsin. She briefly left Lockheed Martin in 2008 to work at Seagate Technology as a Firmware Test Engineer but returned to Lockheed Martin in 2009. 
Gerard DeVito served Eaton Corporation in a variety of roles beginning in 1987 until his recent retirement. DeVito, who most recently was Vice President of Technology, Vehicle Group, began his career with Eaton as a Development Engineer. Prior to his last position with the Vehicle Group, DeVito served as Executive Director, Next Generation Automated Transmission Platform Team. DeVito’s 31-year tenure at Eaton also included roles of increasing responsibility in product design engineering, application engineering, product planning, product strategy, and sales and marketing. 
Bob Dunning is Vice President of Technology for Consumer’s Credit Union, a $1 billion financial institution that serves nearly 100,000 members across lower Michigan. While pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Dunning completed an internship for the credit union which became a full-time job. Dunning worked his way up through the ranks of the organization, including serving as technical lead for the credit union’s core banking platform conversion in 2009. Today, Dunning’s responsibilities include overseeing IT operations, software development, information security, and data analytics. He also provides strategic direction and vision for new and emerging technologies. 
Steve Myers is currently Vice President of Operations for Ahlstrom Munksjö North America Specialty Solutions. Myers has responsibility for A-M’s four-mill complex, including 15 paper machines, and two pulp mills in Wisconsin. Additionally, he has been responsible for the management of the group’s safety, environmental, capital expenditure, and five-year strategic plans. 
After graduating from Western Michigan University, Erik Pederson ran his own consulting business for five years where he worked with many different companies including Parker, Williams International, Cirrus, Kelly Aerospace, and Cessna. In 2007, Pederson joined Kelly Aerospace Thermal Systems in Cleveland, Ohio as Vice President of Engineering and General Manager. In 2012, he joined Woodward Turbine Combustion Systems in Zeeland, Michigan Engineering Manager and where he’s taken on roles of increased responsibility. Currently, Pederson serves as Vice President and General Manager for Woodward Turbine Combustion Systems.
Mark Wallace has been employed by Tenneco in Marshall, Michigan, since 2004. He has had the opportunity to serve in management jobs for environmental, health and safety, process engineering, facilities and maintenance, and continuous improvement. Currently, Wallace is a Continuous Improvement Manager focused on the development of operations management leadership team members, training them in effective leadership and Lean Manufacturing Principles. 
Nikki Weber is currently an Operational Excellence Consultant at Eli Lilly & Co. in Indianapolis, Indiana where she leads projects to lower the pharmaceutical manufacturing costs of first-in-class and best-in-class medicines. Her focus is to help cross-functional teams prioritize complex scientific agendas, that enable Eli Lilly to supply life-changing medicines to patients at a lower cost. 
Todd Woods is the Global Director of Program Management at Eaton Corporation, Vehicle Group Division. He has been with Eaton since 1997 in various roles in engineering, quality, advanced manufacturing, and operations. Todd had led the Advanced Manufacturing Engineering group and the North American Operations team. Todd’s success has been defined by his team’s ability to work together in both a positive and impactful manner to his teams and to the organization. 
John Bayha is District Floodplain Engineer/Environmental Engineer for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Water Resources Division. His responsibilities include enforcing environmental regulations for a wide variety of construction and development projects, reviewing construction permits and working with local governments on efforts related to the National Flood Insurance Program.
Rob Missman currently works at Amway in Global Sales as a Senior Marketing Specialist. A trained Expert & Master Speaker, Facilitator, and Moderator, Rob now uses these skills to grow business and product knowledge across Amway’s global direct selling business. Working with global partners in the US and around the world, Rob has had the opportunity to experience global culture and develop competency and organizational strategy.
Alex Porter is the Global Director of Engineering at Intertek. He has been with the company since 1992, holding additional positions in materials testing, finite element analysis, sales and engineering development.
After earning his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Tim Schultz started his career at the Perrigo Company in Allegan, Michigan. From 1989 to 1999, Perrigo, a leading global healthcare supplier, was experiencing significant growth and Tim quickly advanced through positions in engineering, purchasing, shift supervision, plant management and eventually became the Director of Graphics Services, overseeing all functions for Perrigo’s printed packaging needs. During this time he also earned his MBA at Western.
Rick Sutton serves as Vice President of Operations and is responsible for manufacturing operations, lean manufacturing and change management across the Waupaca Foundry enterprise. Waupaca Foundry is North America’s leading supplier of iron castings to the automotive, commercial vehicle, agriculture, construction, and industrial markets, producing gray and ductile iron casting components using state of-the-art processes and technology. Headquartered in Waupaca, Wisconsin, Rick leads the manufacturing operations of Waupaca’s seven strategically located manufacturing sites in five states, employing some 4,400 people.
Jim Castellano graduated with a B.S. in Automotive Engineering in 1987. He joined Ford Motor Company in 1983, working his way through school, and has spent his entire professional career there, holding a variety of engineering and management positions.
Michael D. Dozeman received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from WMU in 2001 and a M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University in 2007. A Medallion Scholarship recipient, Michael was a member of Lee Honors College and held a year-round internship at Stryker Corporation while pursuing his studies. He was named a Presidential Scholar in Electrical and Computer Engineering in 2001. 
M. Andrew Eick is a technologist, dedicated to crafting scientific innovation into practical solutions for the Intelligence Community (IC). He graduated from WMU in 1991 with a B.S. in Computer Science and a B.A. in Philosophy. In 1995, Andrew graduated from Oakland University with an M.S. in Computer Science. 
Dr. Ali Fadhel made Kalamazoo home for six years after moving from the Middle East in 2001. The warm people of WMU and the cold winters of Michigan will forever be happy memories in his heart.
Chas Hammond received his B.S. in Construction Engineering in 2005. He also holds an M.S. in Engineering Management from WMU and attained his Professional Engineering (PE) License.
Jeff McInerney received a B.S. in Manufacturing Engineering from Western in 1992. The recipient of 11 competitive academic scholarships, he also received the Presidential Scholar Award for the IME department and graduated cum laude. He also holds an M.S. from Kettering University (formerly GMI).
Jason Tedrow received his B.S.E. in Industrial Engineering in 1997 and is a member of the WMU IEE Curriculum Advisory Board. He also holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Roger Veldman received his M.S.E. in Mechanical Engineering at WMU in 1995 while working full-time for the automotive component supplier Donnelly Corporation (now Magna) in Holland, MI. In 1998 he joined the faculty at Hope College as an assistant professor of engineering. Roger continued his studies at Western and completed a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering in 2001.
Trevor E Bilicke, born and raised in Albion, MI, is a 1989 WMU graduate of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences with a BS in Industrial Engineering. He was also a 4 year letter winner on the 1984-1987 Bronco football team at inside linebacker. In 1987 he was recognized as the prestigious inaugural Ellis Scholar Athlete for athletics, academics, leadership and character.
As an undergrad, Brianna was an active member of the Society of Women Engineers, Tau Beta Pi, Alpha Lamda Delta, treasurer of AIChE, and a graduate of Lee Honors College. Brianna interned with Alticor (now Amway) during her sophomore year as well as with The Kellogg Company in her sophomore, junior and senior years. One month prior to graduation, Brianna was in a severe car accident. Bedridden, she finished her senior design project and final exams from home with the help of dedicated Western faculty.
Kevin Khaw is currently an Engineering Manager at Google. Over the last ten years, he has seen Google grow from a mid-size company to one of the most vibrant and innovative companies in the world. He continues to feel empowered to make a difference, solve difficult problems, and learn from the best and brightest in every field. Cloud Computing continues to change the IT landscape and he currently works on growing and expanding Google’s new Cloud Platform business into new industries and markets.
Michael Kounelis is a regional vice president with the Skillman Corporation. While at WMU he majored in construction science and management. An internship with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) led to further career success in his field of study. For more than 22 years, Michael has been managing construction projects throughout Indiana and Michigan.
Brad has worked in the Electrical and Electronics Design Automation Industry since 1982.Throughout his 34 years in the EDA industry, Brad has been part of two start up companies along with early leaders in this industry.
In 1998, Jim founded a company that is now known as Keystone Solutions Group. Within Keystone Solutions
Carrie Reid began her career in software engineering at Hughes Aircraft Company in California. She continued for a decade in the military/aerospace industry at not only Hughes Aircraft, but also Science Applications International Corporation and Lockheed Missiles and Space Company. She then joined Ascent Logic Corporation, and was a principal engineer on their Systems Engineering automation tool, one of the world’s largest Smalltalk applications. From there she accepted a position in Apple’s Developer Publications Department, authoring reference documentation for their Objective-C framework, Cocoa, and then transitioned to the engineering team responsible for the tools suite used for authoring and publishing Apple’s developer documentation. Prior to retiring last year, Ms. Reid worked four years as a contract data analyst at Telenav and Apple, ensuring map Point of Interest data quality world-wide.
Mike Smitley is a Section Leader of Production Engineering Planning at DENSO Manufacturing Michigan, Inc. (DMMI) in Battle Creek. He spent the first 25 years of his engineering career at DMMI, Ralston Foods and Kellogg Corporation, joining DENSO as an advanced engineer in 1997. At DENSO, Mike led engineering teams dedicated to a variety of automotive heating and cooling products, including starting up an automated heating-ventilation-air conditioning (HVAC) assembly process and launching new production processes in Canada, Arkansas and Mexico.
Eric Thompson is the lead IT Solution Architect for Manufacturing Systems at Kimberly-Clark Corporation. He is responsible for the overall design leadership of system implementations and integrating business, information, and technology architecture for Manufacturing Execution, Quality Management, and Product Lifecycle Management solutions corporate-wide at over 70 global manufacturing locations. He also provides functional and technical leadership to outsourced application service providers and internal IT team members to deliver system capability per changing business needs.