Texas A&M Engineering News

Former students offer career-impacting advice at Boss Talk

Fri, 02 Feb 2018 00:00:00 CST

Some of the most difficult challenges facing professional engineers aren’t technical; they’re personal, according to Jay Graham ’92, CEO of WildHorse Resource Development Corporation. Graham, along with four other former students — all successful CEOs and presidents — spoke to a crowded Rudder auditorium audience about the importance of hard work and integrity.

Boss Talk, hosted by the Engineering Entrepreneurship Program, drew more than 1,000 students Thursday evening. Dr. Mark Weichold, associate dean of academic affairs for the Texas A&M University College of Engineering, moderated the event. Joining him on stage was Graham, Tammira Philippe ’95, president of Bridgeway Capital; Stephanie Murphy ’01, president of Alpha Space and executive chairman of the board for MEI Technologies; Kenn Hall ’90, president and CEO of Anadarko Industries; and Derek Southard ’94, vice president of CryoLife, Inc.

As questions poured in on Twitter, there were emerging themes and concerns, namely, “What more can I do to be prepared for a career outside of engineering courses?”

“We really enjoy bringing opportunities like Boss Talk to our engineering students,” said Rodney Boehm, director of the Engineering Entrepreneurship Program. “Creating interaction between former and current students inspires our students to accelerate their pathways to future successful careers,” he said.

As more questions came in about academic success and how that impacts ultimate success in the workplace, the bosses touched on similar advice each time. The experiences you gain outside of the classroom can ultimately shape your success in industry. Leadership, relationships and extracurricular experiences all enhance the education you get. There could be no success without a well-rounded experience.

Some of the advice extended into the first years of a career, emphasizing relationships and continued learning, particularly in the world of entrepreneurship.

“I came to Boss Talk because I wanted to learn from execs who were in industry,” said Asa Graham, a computer science major. “I looked them up beforehand and knew that they took some of the paths that I’m considering for myself: entrepreneurship and going to business graduate school.”

Asa Graham said his favorite piece of advice was to find someone who can serve as a mentor.

“Let them be a mentor and do everything you can to form a relationship with that person and gain as much knowledge as you can,” he said. “Being an entrepreneur, you need to have that experience on your side so you don’t make mistakes that lead to failure later on.”

Civil engineering celebrates 2017 Distinguished Graduate Awards Banquet

Mon, 27 Nov 2017 00:00:00 CST

On Nov. 2, 2017 the Zachry Department of Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University hosted its annual banquet honoring recent donors of endowed scholarships or fellowships, recipients of former student awards and students who were awarded scholarships or fellowships.

The distinguished graduate award was established in 2000 to recognize and honor former students who have excelled in the civil engineering profession, highlighting their significant contributions and achievements. Including 2017’s recipients, 88 former students have been recognized since its formation.

This year’s recipients were Fred Balda ’82, George Cozart ’74 and Thomas Stewart II ’72.

Balda currently provides strategic leadership and oversees all aspects of operations within the Hillwood Communities division, continually expanding and redefining the division’s business plan to satisfy changing homebuyer demands and market opportunities. Balda also shares his industry insights and expertise through his involvement with various institutes, commissions and committees, including the Civil Engineering Advisory Council.

Balda credits his uncle Cesar as a key influencer in his life and career. As a physician, Balda’s uncle personified a tireless work ethic and sought to instill that same characteristic in Balda, encouraging him to better himself through higher education. By serving as a living example, Cesar taught Balda that family and faith are the strongest core values. Ross Perot, Jr. mentored Balda over the course of his career and inspired him to expand his self-imposed boundaries. Through his exemplary leadership skills, focus on family, integrity, work ethic, fairness and focus on selfless - service, Balda learned that true success is achieved through a balance of these core values.

Cozart has performed, supervised and managed both geotechnical engineering and environmental consulting projects for more than 40 years. He currently serves on Terracon’s board of directors and as a national director for Terracon in the area of risk management. Cozart has served as the geotechnical engineer for hundreds of projects involving retaining walls, earth retaining systems, foundation investigations, soil and groundwater contamination studies, municipal solid waste landfills, and failure and remedial action studies.

Cozart considers his cousin, Don Murff, a mentor and personal example for his professional career. Cozart credits him and influential professors like Drs. Harry Coyle, Bob Lytton, Wayne Dunlap and Louis Thompson as his personal motivators for his pursuit of a career in geotechnical engineering. For Cozart, they set great examples of professionalism, engineering excellence and embody essential virtues for a successful life.

Described by colleagues and friends as a prime example of the Aggie core values, Thomas Stewart II was the first black student to receive a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M. Stewart learned to be successful and productive in this changing and challenging field through a variety of positions he has held over the past 40 years.

As a professional engineer, Stewart has made significant contributions to numerous oil and gas and transportation infrastructure development projects around the world. He developed and implemented project control systems (budget and schedule) for the eight-mile, $300 million, Houston METRO light rail starter line that runs from the Astrodome through the Medical District to the downtown Central Business District and had similar responsibilities for the Dallas Area Rapid Transit $400 million Light Rail Green Line Expansion. Both projects were completed on time and under budget. In Stewart’s current position with HS&S Development Inc., he has initiated a joint venture with engineering and construction companies to plan for the onsite clean-up of the Niger Delta in Nigeria.

The department awarded 244 scholarships and fellowships (28 more than last year) for a total of $688,100, a 16 percent increase. The department also recognized those former students who established an endowment in the past year. Acknowledged for their recent gifts were:

Albert Fernandez ’54; San Antonio, TX
Annette Browne; College Station, TX
Denise ’76 & Ken ’75 Meyer; Elgin, TX
Diana & Mark ’82 Dunn; The Woodlands, TX
Fiona McCracken Allen ’82; Arlington, TX
Jean & Don ’70 Murff; Austin, TX
Jeff Robertson; Bryan, TX
JQ Engineering, LLP.; Dallas, TX
Kelsey ’06 & Scott Whitmire; Moulton, TX
Patricia & Richard ’65 Kistner; San Antonio, TX
Raul Fernandez ’59; San Antonio, TX
Sandy & Les ’74 Pittman; Bryan, TX
Yma & Chuck ’75 Urban; Corpus Christi, TX

“In the last 130 years our department has graduated over 15,000 civil engineers, “said Dr. Robin Autenrieth, department head of the Zachry Department of Civil Engineering. “This banquet serves as an opportunity to celebrate current and former students as each year we recognize the professional accomplishments of a few distinguished graduates who provide inspiring stories of their professional success. The banquet is also a time for us to show appreciation for recent generous donors who have created endowments to support the next generation of civil engineers. We also take time to celebrate the academic excellence of our student scholarship and fellowship recipients, who are given an opportunity to meet those former students who have invested in them through established endowments.”

Click here for photos of the evening.

Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution former students receive 2017 Texas A&M University Distinguished Alumnus Award

Tue, 19 Sep 2017 00:00:00 CST

Two Texas A&M University former students, John M. Yantis ’53 and General (Ret.) William M. Fraser III '74, were recently selected to receive a 2017 Distinguished Alumnus award from the Association of Former Students.

Both Yantis and Fraser graduated with a degree from the Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution. Yantis received a Bachelor of Science in industrial technology in 1953, and Fraser received a Bachelor of Science in engineering technology in 1974.

The Distinguished Alumnus Award is the highest honor bestowed upon a former student of Texas A&M, awarded since 1962 to only 271 of Texas A&M’s 469,000 former students.

Presented jointly by the university and The Association of Former Students, this award recognizes Aggies who have achieved excellence in their chosen professions and made meaningful contributions to Texas A&M and their local communities.

Yantis founded the San Antonio construction firm Yantis Co. in 1965, and was named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 1988. He is deeply involved in philanthropy and service in San Antonio and at Texas A&M; he established a student assistance fund with The Association; and has served on the 12th Man Foundation board.

Fraser has served as vice chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and commander of Air Combat Command and U.S. Transportation Command. He has served Texas A&M in numerous positions, including as a member of the President’s Board of Visitors.

“I am humbled and honored to have been selected,” says Fraser. “I am still awed when I see what others have done to be selected as a distinguished alumnus and never expected to be recognized this way.”

Yantis and Fraser will receive their awards from University President Michael K. Young at the annual Distinguished Alumni Gala on September 29.

Former student Phil McDivitt named president and CEO of Ascend Performance Materials

Thu, 27 Apr 2017 00:00:00 CST

In April, Ascend Performance Materials announced that company president and chief operating officer, Phil McDivitt ’87, was promoted to president, chief executive officer and member of the board. McDivitt is a graduate of the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University, and currently sits on the department’s advisory council.

McDivitt joined Ascend Performance Materials in April 2015 as president of the company’s nylon business, and quickly moved up the ranks. A year later he was named the president and chief operating officer.

“Since joining, he [McDivitt] has made important contributions to building a stronger team and culture, improving financial and operating disciplines, and creating a more dynamic commercial organization,” said Barry Siadat, chairman of Ascend Performance Materials. “As envisioned by the board at the time of his hiring, Phil has demonstrated his readiness to transition to CEO.”

Prior to joining Ascend Performance Materials, McDivitt spent more than nine years in various roles at Celanese, a global technology and materials company, working his way up to the vice president and general manager of the company’s engineered materials business.

College of engineering honors outstanding alumni

Thu, 27 Apr 2017 00:00:00 CST

The Texas A&M University College of Engineering honored six alumni during the 2017 Outstanding Alumni Awards Banquet.

Receiving the Outstanding Alumni Honor Award were Fiona McCracken Allen ’82, regional manager, Trinity River Authority; Anthony Bahr ’91, president and co-founder, WildHorse Resource Development Corporation; Dennis J. Seith ’79, chief executive officer, INEOS Olefins and Polymers USA; Emina Soljanin ’94, professor, Rutgers University; and Jimmy Williams ’83, executive director and distinguished service professor, Carnegie Mellon University.

Receiving the Outstanding Early Professional Achievement Alumni Award was Isaac Wesley Ekoto ’06, principal member of the technical staff at Sandia National Laboratories.

Fiona McCracken Allen ‘82
Regional Manager
Trinity River Authority

Fiona McCracken Allen is regional manager for the Trinity River Authority and responsible for wholesale water and wastewater services for 1.4 million people in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, and local sponsorship of three U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoirs.

She began her career with the City of Arlington, Texas, in 1990 as a staff civil engineer. During her time there, she was promoted to field operations manager, assistant director of utilities, director of utilities, and in January 2005, was appointed interim deputy city manager.

She has received several honors during her career including the Zachry Department of Civil Engineering Distinguished Graduate Award; Texas A&M Engineer of the Year, Texas Society of Professional Engineers Mid Cities Chapter; Distinguished Service Award, Texas Municipal Utilities Association; and the American Council of Engineering Companies, chief judge, Engineering Excellence Awards. She has presented and co-authored papers at several state conferences as well as at the American Water Works Association and Water Environment Federation national conventions.

Allen earned her Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering in 1982 from Texas A&M. She and her husband Don have three children, Meredith, Mark and Elizabeth.

Anthony Bahr ‘91
President and Co-Founder
WildHorse Resource Development Corporation

Anthony Bahr is president and co-founder of WildHorse Resource Development Corporation, an independent oil and natural gas company headquartered in Houston, Texas. WildHorse is the fourth publicly traded company generated from Bahr’s private oil and gas investments in the past 10 years.

Prior to co-founding the original WildHorse private company in 2007, Bahr was employed in a variety of management and engineering roles with private and public energy companies. He also actively manages business investments in real estate private equity, polymer technology research, commercial real estate development and construction material supplies.

Bahr is a three-time Aggie 100 winner, with two of his companies receiving the awards in 2013, 2014 and 2016 for their ranking in the fastest-growing Aggie-owned companies. Bahr has founded or co-founded 31 companies since high school. He is a member of the Mays Business School Development Council and the Petroleum Ventures Advisory Board, an educational collaboration between the Mays Business School and the Harold Vance Department of Petroleum Engineering at Texas A&M, which he co-founded in 2015.

Bahr received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in petroleum engineering from Texas A&M, and his Master of Business Administration degree from California State University.

Bahr and his wife Gina, have three children, Audrey, Travis and Trever.

Dennis J. Seith ‘79
Chief Executive Officer
INEOS Olefins and Polymers USA

Dennis Seith is chief executive officer of INEOS Olefins and Polymers USA, and has more than 37 years of experience in the petrochemical, polymer and refining industries. Prior to joining INEOS, Seith held numerous supervisory roles for more than 25 years at Amoco/BP Amoco.

Seith received an Amoco Chairman’s Award and an Aggie 100 Summit Award. He was elected by members of the American Fuels and Petrochemical Manufacturers as a member of the executive board that governs the industry-wide advocacy association, and he was also elected treasurer. Seith was elected by industry peers into the Founders Club, an industry organization for 25-plus year contributors, and he also served as vice president for its board of governors.

He has served as a member of the chemical engineering advisory council at Texas A&M and the Texas A&M Engineering Advisory Council, and he established the “Cathy and Dennis Seith ’79 Faculty Fellowship” and the “Cathy ’79 and Dennis Seith ’79 Study Abroad Scholarship” at Texas A&M.

Seith received his Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Texas A&M in 1979.

He and his wife, Cathy ’79, have three children, Jeremy, Melissa and Thomas ‘12.

Emina Soljanin ‘94 Professor
Rutgers University

Dr. Emina Soljanin is a professor at Rutgers University. Her research group is currently concerned with reliable, efficient and secure big data storage, as well as fast, anonymous and private data retrieval. Before joining the Rutgers faculty in January 2016, Soljanin was a distinguished member of the technical staff at Bell Laboratories.

Soljanin is an IEEE Fellow and recipient of the IEEE Information Theory Society Padovani Lectureship Award. She has received paper awards from technical communities and funding grants for her research from numerous government agencies. She also served as a distinguished lecturer of the IEEE Information Theory Society from 2015–2016. She is a member of IEEE, the American Mathematical Society and the Association for Women in Mathematics, and serves on the external advisory committee for the National Science Foundation’s Center for Science of Information. She has been intermittently serving as a member of the board of governors of the IEEE Information Theory Society since 2009, and is currently the second vice president.

Soljanin received her Master of Science and doctoral degrees in electrical engineering from Texas A&M in 1989 and 1994, respectively.

She is married to Andrea da Conturbia Rota ’94.

Jimmy Williams ‘83
Executive Director
Distinguished Service Professor
Carnegie Mellon University

Dr. Jimmy Williams is executive director and distinguished service professor at Carnegie Mellon University. He previously served as vice president for global engineering at the Pall Corporation, senior director for technology development at Alcoa and director of research and development at The Boeing Company.

He serves as president of the Western Pennsylvania board of directors for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and is a visiting professor for the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom. He also serves on the engineering advisory boards at Texas A&M, the University of Florida and the University of Missouri-St. Louis. In 2001 he was named Black Engineer of the Year, and is chair-elect of the Association of Former Students board at Texas A&M.

Williams earned his Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M in 1983, his Master of Business Administration from Lindenwood University and his doctoral degree from Washington University.

He and his wife Valerie have two children, Danielle and Justin.

Isaac Wesley Ekoto ‘06
Principal Member of the Technical Staff
Sandia National Laboratories

Dr. Isaac Ekoto is a principal member of the technical staff in the Engine Combustion Department at Sandia National Laboratories. He serves as principal investigator of the Gasoline Combustion Fundamentals Lab, where active research of in-cylinder flow, mixing and combustion processes is performed for light-duty gasoline engines. Ekoto has worked at Sandia Labs since 2007 when he was a postdoctoral research engineer. In 2010 he became a senior member of the technical staff in the Hydrogen and Combustion Technologies Department.

He is a recipient of the Texas A&M Outstanding Young Aerospace Engineer Award; SAE Powertrain, Fuels and Lubricants Meeting Best Paper Award; and the Sandia Employee Recognition Award. He has written more than 20 refereed journal articles; several news articles; and made numerous presentations at international meetings, invited seminars and workshops.

He is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Society of Automotive Engineers, and serves on the academic advisory board for Texas A&M’s Department of Aerospace Engineering.

Ekoto earned his Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Fayetteville State University in 2000 and his doctoral degree in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M in 2006.