Alumni

Dr. James C. Gerdeen (BSME '59) retired as Professor and Department of Mechanical Engineering Chair from the University of Colorado - Denver. After graduation, Jim worked in industry before completing his MS in 1962 from Ohio State University and later his PhD from Stanford in 1965, both in mechanical engineering. He returned to Michigan Tech as a faculty member from 1968 to 1989. He received his M. Divinity, Theology, . . .

Rob Messina is the Senior Vice President of Global Product Development and Product Management for JLG Industries, Oshkosh Corporation’s Access Equipment segment. He is responsible for a team of engineers and product strategists in R&D facilities in North America, Europe, China and India. His team develops world-class mobile elevating work platforms, telescopic material handlers and towing and recovery equipment . . .

Rebecca graduated from Tech in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering. Upon leaving Tech she worked at Kaman Aerospace in Broomfield, CT for two years. She then took a position with Sikorsky Aircraft and remained with Sikorsky as a consultant while starting Ufkes Engineering after a move to South Carolina in 1990. In 1994 she earned her MBA from The Citadel and in 1995 partnered with her husband . . .

Nancy graduated from Michigan Technological University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. She also attended the Ford College Graduate Program. After this, she worked as a Product Design Engineer for over three years and was responsible for design and development of an all-new power tilt, power-telescoping column at Ford Motor Company. She was awarded US Patent No. 5,520,416 Power Tilt, Telescoping . . .