Featured class notes

Updates and Accomplishments

Tim Meadows
BS in Mechanical Engineering, 2005

Successful automotive plant manager teir 1 base over 10 years. Help develop numerous young talent to senior level managers in the industry

Amanda Masha
BS in Mechanical Engineering, 2022

I am working as a systems engineer and am contributing to the software used to collect and distribute data from weather satellites. I work with NASA and NOAAA to make sure the data is consistently available to predict hurricanes, forest fires, tornadoes, etc. This is an amazing opportunity for me to be a part of a mission that impacts people’s daily lives as well as be a part of the latest space technology.

Rudraksh Bhawalkar
MS in Electrical Engineering, 2006

Leading Responsible AI for Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Russia as the Principal Director for Accenture Applied Intelligence business. Also leading cutting edge solution design with hyperscalars to define data value chains to enable data to insights to outcomes realization

Nicholas Kolderman
MS in Biomedical Engineering, 2015, Juris Doctor, 2012 at The Ohio State University

Attended Wayne State University to gain a degree in biomedical engineering and pursue a legal career in intellectual property. Said degree opened up an opportunity to work for the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in Denver and thereafter the law firm, Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton at the San Diego office. I worked at the USPTO for 4 years following graduation in May 2015 and transitioned to private practice in June 2019. I currently apply the fundamental engineering concepts gained at Wayne State to practice patent law at Sheppard Mullin.

John Havrilla
GC in Hazardous Waste Control, 1996, MS in Hazardous Waste Management, 1998

The Mannik & Smith Group, Inc. (MSG) has named John M. Havrilla, M.S. ’98, CHMM, as an Associate in the firm. Havrilla serves as Director of Compliance Management Services at MSG and has 30 years of experience including three years with MSG. Havrilla provides guidance on certifications and registrations, including International Organization for Standardization (ISO) audits. He also supports industrial clientele with regulatory compliance obligation management as well as completing environmental, health and safety compliance audits. Havrilla holds a master’s degree in Hazardous Materials Management from Wayne State University (1998) and is a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM).

Ashley Aldea
BS in Biological Science, 2011, MS in Biomedical Engineering, 2012

Ashley Aldea ’11, M.S.B.M.E. ’12, has joined Butzel Long. She focuses on real estate and corporate transactions with a focus on real property acquisition and disposition, real estate financing, commercial leasing, general corporate representation, entity formation, and entity structure. Before Butzel Long, Aldea worked for Ford Motor Credit Company. She advised Ford Credit executives, management and business teams on dealer matters, marketing matters, vehicle liquidations, and bankruptcy matters, day-to-day corporate and commercial matters and secured transactions for Ford Credit Canada Company. She assisted in negotiating and drafting contracts and supported the implementation of changes in laws and regulations in Canada.

Nariman Ammar
Doctor of Philosophy, 2016

Dr. Nariman Ammar has accepted a post-doctoral fellow position in the Center of Biomedical Informatics, in the College of Pediatrics, at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center. She works in the Le Bonheur Children's hospital with a multidisciplinary team using cutting edge computational methods and technologies in various applications in healthcare and medicine to support clinical and public health decisions to improve the health of individuals and populations, narrow health disparities, decrease healthcare costs, and improve overall human well-being.

George Tsakoff
MS in Civil Engineering, 2013

George Tsakoff, is a shareholder at OHM Advisors. He has been with the community advancement firm since 2014 as a member of the municipal group. Tsakoff now leads five clients and more than $1 million in revenue as principal-in-charge and senior project manager.

M.H. Hassan
Doctor of Philosophy, 1988, MS in Electrical Engineering, 1986

M.H. Hassan, a research scientist and inventor with Innovate LLC, has published the second edition of the book, Systems Engineering. It examines innovation and evaluates the components of the systems engineering process which best drive the innovation process to develop new systems and products. Hassan has published many peer-reviewed scientific papers and books and was granted three US utility patents. His books are available on amazon.com.

Carrie Warren
BS in Civil Engineering, 2003

Carrie Warren is the recipient of the 2018 Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Director's Award - the department's highest honor for outstanding service. Warren was honored in the professional, specialist category. She was recognized for her ability to engage customers, foster positive interactions and increase public confidence in MDOT.

In Celebration

charles stephen "steve" waldrop
BS in Physics, 1975, MS in Mechanical Engineering, 1981

Now retired

In Memoriam

Russell Espinosa
BS in Industrial Engineering, 1986

Russell G. Espinosa '86 passed away on May 31, 2023.

Daniel Morton
Master's Degree, 1969, Bachelor of Science, 1964

Daniel Dean Morton – Bachelor of Science, 1964, Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, 1969 Dan Morton died in his Traverse City home on September 25, 2020. He had a long career at Bendix (later Allied Signal) designing aviation electronic controls. He retired early to prioritize travel, service, and his favorite activity—reading. In the late 90s, he lived on the central Pacific island Kiribati, where he helped the national telecom company establish an Internet network. He loved sailing, singing, woodworking, and walks in the woods. Dan is survived by his wife of 56 years, Arlene, three children, five grandchildren, and his devoted dog Onna.

Keith Johnson
BS in Civil Engineering, 1994

Keith Alan Johnson, died December 9, 2018. He worked as an Industrial Engineer for Axalta Coating Systems for more than 25 years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, canoeing and anything that had to do with the great outdoors. He was also actively involved in Grosse Pointe Animal Adoption Society. Johnson is survived by his wife of 29 years, Sandra; brother, John Shannon (Imelda) Johnson; nieces and nephews Sarah, Anna, Richard, Madaline and Joseph; and great nephew Arden.