The University of Missouri College of Engineering Foundation Team is comprised of a Board of Directors including Ex-Officio representation from the College of Engineering and COE Advancement Office, and when needed a Foundation Coordinator. The Board of Directors was elected at the first formal meeting in October following the Foundation’s incorporation in August 2009. Directors are elected with a three-year term and the four Officer positions are elected annually. The Board meets twice annually and has regular teleconferences to conduct Foundation business.
Board Members
President, Ward A. Chambers, MD
BSEE 1967 (MU), MSEE 1970 (UN-Lincoln), MD 1973 (UN Medical Center). Currently working as a cardiologist with the University of Nebraska Medical Center and also heads the University’s international programs. Dr. Chambers has received the College of Engineering Missouri Honor Award and other awards from the College of Engineering and Mizzou for his significant activities and contributions to the school.
Vice-President, Tom Decker
BSCE 1972; MSCE 1974 (MU). Has spent over 40 years as a consulting engineer in the drinking water and wastewater field as a design engineer, project manager, program manager, marketing director, and business operations leader. Currently a vice president with Brown and Caldwell in Alexandria, Virginia.
Secretary, Susan Hogan Pasternack
BSEE 1970 (MU). Thirty-eight years in the Defense industry with Bendix (Honeywell), Motorola and General Dynamics, in engineering, program management, business development, business management, acquisitions and strategic planning. Retired in 2009, but maintained part-time consulting for defense contractors and entrepreneurial companies until 2016. Prior recipient of College of Engineering Missouri Honor Award.
Treasurer, Robert Holtsmith
BSCHE 1968 (MU), MS Management 1982 (MIT Sloan Fellow). Spent entire corporate career with Conoco (34 years) and then ConocoPhillips (2 years). Practiced refinery design engineering in early years and later held various managerial positions in Refining, Marketing, Gas Processing, Engineering and Business Development. Retired from corporate career at the end of 2003 and now dabbles in real estate development, home building and performance auto engines. Active member of Mizzou Chemical Engineering Industrial Advisory Board, DEAC, and recipient of College of Engineering Missouri Honor Award in 2015.
Don Baker
BSCE 1971 (MU). Spent nearly 12 years working in public and private sectors around the country before founding his own electrical contracting business: P&D Electric, Inc., in 1985. Retired in 2011, but continues involvement in the family-owned company as Owner/Senior Engineer. Maintains a P.E. license and serves as a voting member of ISA 12.21 Subcommittee dealing with fiber optics in hazardous locations.
William H. Brown PhD
BSAgE 1964; MSAgE 1966; PhDAgE 1969. Thirty-five years in land-grant university teaching, research and administration at Mississippi State University and Louisiana State University in a broad array of food, agricultural, natural resources and engineering sciences. Vice Chancellor Emeritus of LSU Agricultural Center and Louisiana’s state-wide director of food, agricultural and natural sciences research programs. Consulting and program development domestically and internationally. Volunteer since 2004 with SCORE — counselors to America’s Small Business. Adjunct Instructor at LSU’s National Center for Biomedical Research and Training (emergency preparedness).
Stanley R. Bull, PhD
BSChE 1963 (MU), MS and PhD 1967 (Stanford). MU Engineering Faculty for 13 years. Forty years of experience at leading RD&D in energy and related applications including renewable energy, energy efficiency, transportation systems, bioenergy and medical systems. Currently Director of Energy Programs at MRIGlobal.
Donald “Don” Flora
BS 1966; MS 1968; MS Med 1971. President (Retired) Flora & Associates, Inc in Kansas City. Has been involved for many years in supporting the COE for state budgeting, as an informal liaison to the Missouri state legislature.
Andre Logan
BSIE 2001 (MU) MBA 2010 (Rockhurst University). Over twenty years of experience in business management, strategy, manufacturing, design, supply chain, and strategic accounting methods. Served as chair of the American Cancer Society’s Area Board and current member of the Chairman’s Circle. Treasurer for Uplift Organization, Inc. and serves on several other boards in the Kansas City area. Andre is a member of the MU IMSE Hall of Fame and current Director of Strategic Initiatives, Office of the Chancellor – University of Missouri Kansas City.
In Memoriam: James R. Fischer, PhD
PhD 1972 in agricultural engineering (MU). USDA research engineer in the 1970s specializing in renewable energy systems. Served at three universities (holding Professorial and Dean positions) — Missouri, Michigan State and Clemson; then with the US Government and many Boards. After a distinguished career, he started his consulting company focused on agriculture/energy/environment. Jim was a founding Board member of the Foundation and served until he passed of cancer in 2019.
Ex-Officio Member
Noah Manring, Dean and Ketcham Professor, College of Engineering (COE)
BS & BA (Michigan State Univ); MA (Reformed Theological Seminary); MSME (Univ of Illinois); PhD (Iowa State Univ). Served as chair of Dept of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, chair of former Dept of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and twice as COE’s associate dean of research. Served as associate dean for administration at Princeton University, and as a program manager at Caterpillar’s Technical Center. He holds 11 U.S. patents for innovations in the field of fluid power. Received research funding from Caterpillar Inc., Festo Corp. and the National Fluid Power Association; as well as Department of Education, National Science Foundation and various private donors. Has published two ME books and currently is working on his third book: “Opportunity, Genius, and Entrepreneurship: A History of Modern Engineering.” Technical focus in cardiovascular mechanics, fluid power, and machine design.
The Dean will work with the Foundation in conjunction with the COE Advancement Office: Katherine Goliver, Executive Director of Advancement
Staff
Foundation Coordinator, unfilled