College of Engineering and Computer Science Alumni Academy Adds 23 Members
JONESBORO – Twenty-three new members have been added to the College of Engineering and Computer Science (CoECS) Alumni Academy. The third cohort of members was inducted during its recent annual meeting, which was held at Woodard McAlister Family Club inside Centennial Bank Stadium.Members are added by invitation. Qualifications for membership include being in the workforce for at least a decade and being credited with significant professional accomplishments. Those considered for membership are either graduates of one of the college’s degree programs or are a friend of the college. “It is exciting to see the growth and momentum of the academy in such a short time,” said Jim Chidester, president and charter member of the academy. In addition to his role with the academy, Chidester is also an instructor of construction management in CoECS.“The potential impact of what its members will be able to accomplish is limitless, as we strive to achieve the Alumni Academy’s mission goals of helping to bring visibility to the College of Engineering and Computer Science, acting as mentors to students and recent graduates, and providing a means of networking for all alumni of the College.”
Jessie Jones, a charter member of the academy, works as assistant chief engineer of planning for the Arkansas Department of Transportation. She is the president-elect of the Academy for 2024.
Dr. Abhijit Bhattacharyya, dean of the CoECS, said that it is wonderful to see the growth of the Academy entering its third year of operation.
“This brings the membership to a total of 70 members. The Academy provides these accomplished alumni an opportunity to reconnect with their peers as well as the university and the college,” continued Bhattacharyya. “It is a privilege to be part of this effort that will have a transformative impact on the college for years and decades to come.”The new inductees and their current professional positions are:
- Bradley Clark, geotechnical branch chief, Southwestern Division Dam Safety Production Center, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock
- Aaron Benzing, chief financial officer, Hawkins Weir, Little Rock
- Rose Garrett, mechanical engineer and medical program manager, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock
- Lee Morgan, president and CEO, The Systems Group, Little Rock
- Cody Hardin, research engineer, Mississippi State University, Starkville, Miss.
- Pedtra Wilson Flournoy, senior systems engineer, Trinity Industries, Dallas
- Gabe Knight, White River systems engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock
- Christopher Crowley, chief information officer, Big River Steel, Osceola
- Shaun Roberson, project manager, Garver, North Little Rock
- Thomas Kennett, retired military and FedEx pilot, Memphis
- Alex Roofe, district maintenance engineer, Arkansas Dept. of Transportation, Batesville
- David Sales, retired military, executive vice president, JANUS Research Group, Evans, Ga.
- David Williamson, president, Automation Outfitters, Jonesboro
- Zachery Hill, manager of region engineering, Entergy, Little Rock
- Ryan Essington, signal application engineer, Alstom Transportation, Jacksonville, Fla.
- Lesley Wright, associate professor in mechanical engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
- Wade Tate, retired military, supervisor and primary systems engineer, JANUS Research Group, Evans, Ga.
- Jason MacDonald, director of water resource, Fisher Arnold, Jonesboro
- Ryan Blankenship, resident engineer, Arkansas Dept. of Transportation, Paragould
- Michael Busick, senior structural engineer, Arkansas Dept. of Transportation, Little Rock
- Timothy Arquitt, Jonesboro
- Bob Earwood, managing partner, Inspyre Group, LLC, Memphis
- Craig Light, City Water and Light, Jonesboro
More information on members, officials of the Academy, bylaws and some selected pictures of the celebration can be viewed at this page.
The College of Engineering and Computer Science Alumni Academy welcomes new members.
