John Palmer '87
"It all started with Michelob Dark on tap at the Dog House," says John Palmer '87. When the metallurgy grad moved to California in 1988, he couldn't find a good beer, so he started making his own. Thus began the current best-selling home-brewing book on Amazon.com.
Dr. Louis A. Panek '41
Retired Mining Research Engineer, U.S. Bureau of Mines; Rock Mechanics Consultant; MS in Mining Engineering and Ph.D. in Engineering, Columbia University; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Liaison officer in Burma, WWII; Manager of Ground Control Research and Senior Scientist, U.S.B.M.; Internationally recognized leader in underground mine rock mechanics; Several awards including the Bureau of Mines Invention Award; James S. Westwater Chair in Mining Engineering; Conducted field measurement course at Michigan Tech Experimental Mine; SME, AIME, Sigma . . .
Thomas Pangborn '75
Tom Pangborn received his BS in Geological Engineering from this department in 1975 and has followed a distinguished career in oil and gas in Michigan. After graduation, he went to work as an engineer for Shell Oil in Traverse City where he has lived ever since.
In 1977 he began work as an exploration geologist for Reef Petroleum and in 1980 started off on his own as a managing partner for the Schmude and Pangborn Joint Venture. In . . .
Stuart C. Pann '81
After graduating from Michigan Tech, Stuart Pann joined Intel in 1981 and held several management positions within the company’s sales organization before moving into an operations role in 1999 as the director of microprocessor marketing and business planning for the Desktop Products Group. At Intel, Stuart became co-general manager of customer fulfillment, planning, and logistics, managing the company’s global supply chain and logistics network. Today, Stuart is Intel’s vice president of the Sales and Marketing Group . . .
Chang K. Park '73, '73
Chang Park is an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, a social activist, and a visionary. He is the president and CEO of Universal Remote Control Inc. (Harrison, New York), a world leader in technology, innovation, and quality. Born and raised in Korea, he came to the US alone as a teenager to pursue an education. He soon developed an interest in mathematics—the only language he could understand in his new homeland. Park enrolled at Michigan Tech and . . .
James J. Parm '81
A native of Jenison, Michigan, James Parm earned a BS in Electrical Engineering in 1981 and his MBA from Tulane University’s A. B. Freeman School of Business. Today, Jim is president and CEO of Stratos Global, a post he has held since 2003. During this time, Parm led the transformation of Stratos from a regionally focused North American company to the global leader in satellite services that it is today. That transformation drove revenue growth of . . .
Fay L. Partlo '26
Retired President, South Dakota School of Mines; Various positions at Michigan Tech, included: instructor, assistant professor and professor of Mathematics and Physics, head of the Mathematics and Physics department; Dean of the College of Engineering, Director of Extension Activities; While Dean, served as President for the Study Group on Engineering Education of the Michigan Council of State College Presidents; President Emeritus and Professor of Physics Emeritus, South Dakota School of Mines; Member, Michigan Tech Presidents Club; . . .
Scott R. Pattullo '81,
Scott received his BS degree in electrical engineering from Michigan Tech in 1981 and then attended the Tuck School at Dartmouth College and received his MBA degree in 1983. He started his career with Cadillac Motor Division in Detroit, where he held several positions before moving to the Chicago area in 1987 where he joined the A. T. Kearney Company as a management consultant. Scott later was employed in management positions for NutraSweet, leaving the post of Vice President in Marketing for the Consumer Products Division to become Vice President for Marketing at Sara Lee Bakery in Chicago. In 1997, Scott moved to Wheels, Inc. of Des Plaines, IL. One of Scott’s responsibilities at Wheels is product development, which has recently focused on internet-based service and information tools.
Frank Pavlis '38
Frank Pavlis got his first lesson in leadership before he started grade school.
"I had the good fortune to be born on a farm," he tells the inaugural group of Michigan Tech students enrolled in the Pavlis Institute for Global Technological Leadership.
Dr. David Peters '87
Dave Peters '87, BS, chemistry, from Dansville, Michigan, works for BASF in technical services. He chose to come to Michigan Tech because a high-school teacher told him he wouldn't succeed here.
"I wanted to prove him wrong," Peters remembers. He says he proved to be "stupid but saveable."
Timothy E. Peters '84
Timothy E. Peters is a twenty-six-year Boeing veteran. Since August 2011, Tim has been Boeing’s vice president and general manager of surveillance and engagement, a division of Boeing Defense, Space, and Security’s Boeing Military Aircraft unit. In this role, Peters is responsible for ensuring delivery of the Airborne Early Warning and Control and P-8 programs, and for developing and expanding surveillance and engagement capabilities for the US and its allies. He moved to Boeing Military . . .
John Petkus '78
John Petkus was born in Grosse Point, Michigan, earning his BA in Liberal Arts at Michigan Tech in 1978. He arrived just as the Scientific and Technical Communication degrees were being developed, and concentrated on this field before the degree was officially awarded. His senior independent study utilized the then-recent technological breakthrough of a portable video cassette camera to produce a university documentary shown to prospective students. As an undergraduate, John also played varsity basketball.
Mr. Donald E. Pfuehler '67
Mr. Donald E. Pfuehler currently President and CEO of Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation, Donald E. Pfuehler began his career at Dow Corning as a co-op student in Process Engineering. He held various positions in Process Engineering, Manufacturing, Facilities Engineering, and Economic Evaluation before being named manager of Facilities Engineering in 1983. In 1984, Don became manufacturing manager for Fluids, Resins, and Process Industries. In 1986, he was named manager of Personnel, and later became director of Human . . .
Suzan C. Phelps (Ravi) '80
Suzan earned her bachelor of science degree in Metallurgical Engineering in 1980. She also attended San Diego State University in the mid 80’s, pursuing, although not completing, an MBA prior to starting her family. She became a Certified Quality Manager back in the early 90’s and just this year became qualified as a Certified Professional in Supply Management.
Paul D. Pietila '62
Paul Pietila graduated from Michigan Tech with a BS degree in Applied Physics in 1962. He earned an MBA degree in 1972 from Bowling Green State University.
His distinguished business career included five years with General Motors followed by 30 years at Ford. The first half of his career was spent in the areas of quality and reliability—the second part in manufacturing and general management. His responsibilities included managing plants in Basildon, England (where he was one of the first Americans to manage a European plant) and also in Plymouth, Mich.
Anton J. Pintar '62
Dr. Anton J. Pintar was born in Painesdale in 1940, graduated from Jeffers High School in 1958, graduated from Michigan College of Mining and Technology (now Michigan Technological University) in 1962 with a B. S. in Chemical Engineering, and then graduated with a Ph. D. in Chemical Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago in 1968. He taught Chemical Engineering at Michigan Tech for 36 years retiring in 2002. He became a Michigan Tech Professor Emeritus of . . .
Dino H. Pirolo '53
Dino H. Pirolo received a BS degree with honors in Mining Engineering from the Michigan College of Mining and Technology in 1953. While in college, he was active in several campus organizations including Tau Beta Pi, the Newman Club, and AIME.
Dino started his career in 1953 with the Inland Steel Company. He worked as an engineer in the Ishpeming general office, and was assigned to an exploration program for the company’s Caland Ore Project in Atikokan, . . .
Ray Plewa '87
Ray Plewa '87, BS, chemical engineering, of Westerville, Ohio, came to Michigan Tech because of its reputation and because it was affordable. The latter was key because he had to pay his own way through school. "I was poor," he said. "I watched every penny."
Dawn Plitzuweit (Zarling) '95
She is the first person to be honored by the Molten/Women's Division II Bulletin as both an All-America Player (1995) and Coach of the Year (2006). As well, she has been named Coach of the Year in the conference, the state, and the nation. Plitzuweit has been an assistant coach for Tech, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
Townsend H. Porter '68
Townsend H. Porter received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Michigan Tech in 1968.
Porter spent 27 years at IBM and patented the mechanics inside of the 3-1/2-inch floppy disk that became the industry standard.
Dr. Merle Potter '58, '61
Merle Potter '58 was awarded the American Society of Mechanical Engineers 2008 James Harry Potter (no relation) Gold Medal. Potter received the award "for making a renowned impact on thermodynamics through forty-two years of outstanding teaching and through published textbooks on thermal sciences and applied mathematics, and for research on energy consumption in dwellings and industrial plants."
Norman R. Pratt '42
Bob Pratt joined Dow Chemical after earning a B.S. in mechanical engineering in 1942. He enjoyed a 39-year career with Dow in various engineering capacities, retiring in 1981 as Manager of Nuclear Projects for the company. In retirement, Michigan Tech called on Pratt to coordinate a design team for the Process Simulation and Control Center (PSCC). The team includes faculty and staff, active design engineers from industry, and retired design professionals.
The PSCC consists of a complete . . .
Dr. William W. Predebon
William Predebon has been a faithful and dependable leader on campus, in the community, and in his profession as he advances the department’s mission and vision.
David J. Pruett '75, '74
David J Pruett, from Pontiac, Michigan, earned a BS (1974) and MS (1975) in Chemistry at Michigan Technological University and a PhD (1978) at Michigan State University. While at Michigan Tech, Dave studied experimental anti-malarial drugs, lanthanide complexation chemistry and a non-sulfur wood pulping process. He also took "Chem Magic" shows to Keweenaw high schools.
James C. Pruneski '64,
Mr. Pruneski joined Chrysler Engineering following graduation. He held executive positions at Ford Motor Company and Eaton Corporation rising to General Manager of Eaton Corporation Brake Division. In 1982 Jim moved to Abex Corporation and was promoted in 1984 to head all of Abex Friction Operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe. In 1989 he became head of the Steel Wheels Business of Kelsey-Hayes and in 1991 President of Light Duty Brakes. IN 1993 Jim was promoted to President of Kelsey-Hayes ABS-Europe serving until his retirement in 1995.
Leslie W. Pullen '42
Retired President, Mining & Marketing Consultants, Inc.
Leslie Pullen received a BS in Mining Engineering in 1942 from the Michigan College of Mining and Technology. He is a registered professional engineer in seven states.
After graduation, he served as a First Lieutenant in the 341st engineer regiment of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. His regiment constructed 256 miles of the Alaskan Highway in Canada. In October 1943, his regiment embarked for England and landed in France in 1944, with the mission of railroad . . .
Charles D. Putnam '50
Mr. Putnam began his career at Clark Controller Company in 1950. He attended Cleveland-Marshall Law School evenings and earned a J.D. law degree in 1955 becoming General and Patent Counsel for the Clark Controller Company. In 1963, Charlie began his career with Whirlpool Corporation as a Patent Attorney. After holding several key executive positions, he was elected to the position of Executive Vice President of Administration in 1985. Charlie was elected to Whirlpool’s Board of Directors in 1987 and served in these last two positions until his retirement in 1990. In 1989, the Michigan Technological University Board of Control awarded him the Silver Medal.
