Order of the Engineer

Timothy P. Coffield

Fall 2013 Banquet

Timothy P. Coffield earned his BS degree in Mechanical Engineering, with high honors, from Michigan Technological University in 1984. He has also completed a business degree from University of Colorado.

Colleen L. Jones-Cervantes

Spring 2013 Banquet

The keynote speaker for the banquet was Colleen L. Jones-Cervantes. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Tech in 1983. After graduation, Colleen joined Chevron Corporation as a Project Engineer.

Eric Roberts

Fall 2012 Banquet

Eric Roberts (1993 BSME) was the keynote speaker at the Mechanical Engineering – Engineering Mechanics Department Senior Awards Banquet on December 11, 2012. Eric graduated from Michigan Technological University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1993. He began his career as a Manufacturing / Process Engineer with Kimberly-Clark in New Milford, CT.

John Soyring

Spring 2012 Banquet

John Soyring was the keynote speaker at the Mechanical Engineering – Engineering Mechanics Department Senior Awards Banquet. After graduating from Michigan Tech with a BSEE in 1976, the L’Anse, Michigan native John Soyring joined IBM. During his 36 career with IBM, he has held a variety of technical, professional, managerial and executive positions within the company.

Paul Rogers

Fall 2011

Dr. Paul Rogers
Executive Director for Research
US Army
Tank Automotive Research Development & Engineering
Warren MI

Stephen L. Williams

Spring 2011

Stephen L. Williams earned a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Tech in 1986. He went on to earn both an MS degree in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. After graduation from Michigan Tech, Steve began his career in his hometown of Cadillac, MI at Cadillac Rubber & Plastics as a Project Engineer.

Glen Simula

Fall 2010 Banquet

1980 graduate Glen Simula founded GS Engineering, one of several companies that spun off of the Keweenaw Research Center.

Al Frank

Spring 2010 Banquet

1989 graduate Alan Frank is a Sr. Manager Global Product Safety for the Whirlpool Corporation.

Gary Lawrey

Fall 2009 Banquet

Gary Lawrey earned a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from MTU in 1979. He continued his education at the University of Detroit towards an M.S. degree in Engineering Management in 1986. Gary began his career in the automotive industry with Ford Motor Company in 1979 as a Process Engineer. He advanced to Plant Manager in 1996 at Ford's Berlin Plant in Berlin, Germany. Upon his return to the United States he took a position with Visteon as an Advanced Engineering Manager for the Interior and Exterior Division. In that role, Gary managed systems-related technologies and advanced plastics and processing initiatives. After twenty years with Ford Motor Company, Gary joined Dow Chemical Company's business unit Dow Automotive in 1999 and was named Vice President of Automotive Systems within Dow Automotive in March 2000. He represents Dow Automotive interests with OEM customers on a global basis, their joint-venture relationships and growth in the parts and modules businesses. Gary is also responsible for the support of initiatives that continue future applications and growth for the materials side of Dow Automotive. Gary is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and was a member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Berlin, Germany. He was the lead speaker at the 2000 National Plastics Exposition where he presented "What you should expect from a supplier - bring innovation to market".

Martha N. Sullivan

Spring 2009 Banquet

Martha N. Sullivan earned a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1980 from Michigan Tech and completed studies toward a Masters in Business Administration at the University of Michigan.

Douglass J. Hamar

Fall 2008 Banquet

Doug graduated from Michigan with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1982 and a MS degree in Business Administration in 1984

Eric A. Nielsen

Spring 2008 Banquet

Eric A Nielsen earned a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1980 at Michigan Tech and went on to earn an MBA-Finance & International Business, at the University of Chicago in 1988.

Michael Hofman

Fall 2007 Banquet

Mike Hofman graduated from Michigan Tech with a BS degree in 1975 and an MS degree in 1977, both in mechanical engineering. Mike started his career with Ford in 1977. He started in their College Graduate Training Program and advanced through various positions of leadership to include Product Design Engineer, Product Development Engineer, Resident Engineer, Supervisor and Manager, and held these positions on one or more of 38 separate Vehicle Nameplate Programs, including the Superduty Truck, the   F-Series Trucks, Explorer, Escape, Expedition, Navigator, Taurus/Sable, Lincoln LS, Escort, Aerostar, Mondeo (Europe), Jaguar S-Type and X-Type, and Mazda 6 and Mazda MPV, to name a few.

He was the Manager of several of Ford’s major vehicle platforms to include the Explorer Powertrain Program and the Commercial Truck Powertrain Program. He was responsible for several engine programs to include the 1.3.L, 1.6L, 1.9L, 3.0L, 4.0L, and 5.0 L, which included diesel and gasoline engines, during various stages of his career. This is a remarkable record of contribution to such a large variety of engines and Powertrain platforms.

Mike also has one patent for an idle air bypass valve silencer and has another patent pending.

In March of 1977 Mike retired from Ford after 30 years of service. However he apparently was not ready to end his career. In June of 2007 Mike joined Roush Industries in Allen Park, MI, as Vehicle Engineering Program Manager. In this position he manages customer vehicle development programs for future production applications.

Geoffrey R. Weller

Spring 2007 Banquet

Geoff Weller graduated with a BS degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan Tech in 1975. He then attended Michigan State University and earned an MBA in Supply Chain Management. Geoff started his career with the Oldsmobile Division at General Motors in 1976 and held assignments in Industrial Engineering, Process Engineering and Tooling. Early in his career he held the position of Manufacturing Supervisor.

Later in his career at GM Geoff held positions in Quality Control, Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing Manager at various locations including foundry and forging operations, press metal stamping, vehicle assembly and various corporate office assignments. He is currently Assistant Plant Manager of General Motors newest vehicle assembly center, located in Lansing, Michigan. In this position he is responsible for the day to day operation of the plant.

Geoff is a member of the General Motors corporate relations team for Michigan Tech. He is currently a member of the External Advisory Board of the Department of Mechanical Engineering - Engineering Mechanics. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Lansing Area Boys and Girls Club.

While at Michigan Tech he was a member of the Blue Key and Pi Tau Sigma, the Mechanical Engineering Honor Society.

Richard S. Vande Vusse

Fall 2006 Banquet

Richard S. Vande Vusse graduated from Michigan Tech with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering and a BS degree in Engineering Administration, both in 1977. He is currently President and Founder of VanAire Inc. and Ag Solutions, Inc. in Gladstone, MI.

After graduation he started his career at Barclay, Ayers & Bertsch Co. in Grand Rapids, MI. In 1980 he became Warehouse manager at Babco Supply in Negaunee, part of Barclay, Ayers, & Bertsch. In 1984 he became Branch Manager and Sales Engineer for Bertsch Co.

In 1987 he started VanAire but still kept his “day job” as he put it. The focus was waste water treatment but at that stage it was mainly research. He went full-time with his company in 1995. VanAire manufactures wastewater treatment equipment for the animal slaughter and food processing industries; components for automating industrial valves and are the largest manufactures in the U. S. and possibly the world of these components; and chutes for cement trucks. VanAire has approximately 70 employees.

Ag Solutions Inc. is Michigan’s first Biodiesel fuel refinery, which began operations in November 2006. The plant was designed, including most of the processing equipment, was manufactured by VanAire. Ag Solutions has 6 employees. VanAire was named by Granholm to the “Michigan 50 Companies to Watch” list in 2005. Recently Dick Vande Vusse was appointed by Governor Granholm to Michigan’s newly formed Renewable Fuels Commission. Dick is married and has one child and just became a grandparent.

Terry J. Woychowski

Spring 2006 Banquet

Dr. Terry J. Woychowski '78 BSME, Executive Director Vehicle Systems and Vehicle Chief Engineer Full Size Trucks, General Motors Corporation, presented the Keynote Address.

Daniel Kapp

Fall 2005 Banquet

Daniel R. Kapp (BSME '76) is Director, Powertrain Research and Advanced Engineering at Ford Motor Company.

Roger DeWitt

Spring 2005 Banquet

Manager of Engineering – Engines
John Deere

• Joined John Deere in 1967 at the Product Engineering Center in Waterloo, Iowa.
• After a training program, he was assigned as a team member on various engine programs including diesels, gas turbines, and 2-cycle snowmobile engines.
• In 1977 he became project manager, supervising various projects including component performance and reliability development, advanced injection systems, engine durability testing, and engine applications.
• In 1986 he transferred temporarily to Detroit to work on the ill-fated joint venture with GM and returned to Waterloo in 1987 to become Department Manager of Application Engineering.
• In 1989 he assumed the position of Manager of 300 Series Engineering which included worldwide design, development, and application responsibility for 300 Series engines produced in Dubuque Iowa, Saran France, Argentina, India, and Mexico.
• In 2001 he became Manager of Engineering for New Engine Programs which includes responsibility for design and development of all Deere engines, as well as emissions development, electronic controls, and all application calibrations.
• He held this position until his “partial retirement” in Feb 2005. Now working part time from his new lake home near Greenville Michigan.

Roger received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University in 1967 and a MS in 1968.

Kathryn Clark

Fall 2004 Banquet

NASA Senior Scientist, Dr. Kathryn Clark, Keynote Address

Kathryn Clark is a senior scientist at NASA, working in the field of human exploration and development of space enterprise. Dr. Clark's primary scientific interests are neuromuscular development and adaptation to altered environments. She earned master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Michigan and then joined the faculty of the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology in 1993, from which she is on leave. She has served as deputy director of the NASA Commercial Space Center, The Center for Microgravity Automation Technology, which provides imaging technology for the space station. Dr. Clark received the Outstanding International Award from Women in Aerospace and was recently inducted into the National Women's Museum in Dallas. Dr. Clark is a pilot and is a member of the International Society of Women Pilots. Dr. Clark is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. She has been a Member, Michigan Tech Board of Control, 2005 - 2012.

Diana D. Brehob

Spring 2004 Banquet

Diana Brehob earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Tech in 1978. She earned her Master of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1982 and her PhD in 1985, both from the University of California, Berkeley.

David J. Brule, Sr.

Fall 2003 Banquet

David J. Brule, Sr., received a BS in electrical engineering in 1972 from Michigan Tech. After a brief stint at Northern Michigan University and a taste of a career as a lineman, in 1969 Brule transferred his spark for all things electric north, to Michigan Technological University. Older and a “little wiser,” Brule said he felt committed to the rigorous academic experience Michigan Tech offered.

Samuel T. Wineman

Spring 2003 Banquet

Samuel T. Wineman '56, Wineman Engineering, keynote speaker

Mr. Wineman has over 50 years of Mechanical Engineering design experience for all types of general building construction. His design experience includes Industrial, Residential, Commercial, Utility, Hospital, Clinical and Institutional  projects. He has been supervisor of design for both major and minor construction. His work included both new construction as well as retrofit and renovation. He has a knowledge of Mechanical Building Codes and has experiences in what the past code requirements have been as they apply to previous construction projects.

Mr. Wineman has public speaking and considerable classroom instructional experience during which he has conducted technical seminars for HVAC Design,  Plumbing Design, Code Interpretation and Construction Management. He is a past member of  a major power company Speakers Bureau for public information on technical matters.

He has served as an Expert Witness for over 60 cases, has  been deposed approximately 40 times, and has appeared in court. He has also assisted in Arbitration and  Mediation matters.

Richard J. Robbins

Spring 2002 Banquet

Richard J. Robbins graduated from the Michigan College of Mining and Technology (MCM&T) in 1956 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. Since 1958, Dick has been a major contributor and a prominent influence in the mining and tunneling industry.