Engineering & Computer Science Alumni Academy

Statue outside of the Engineering and Computer Science building
Welcome to the A-State College of Engineering and Computer Science Alumni Academy! This is where outstanding alumni are celebrated, and connections are made. Our Academy supports the CoECS mission and helps support future innovators.

Celebrating Achievements

Our Alumni Academy celebrates the remarkable engineers and computer scientists who continue to shape industries, mentor future leaders, and uphold the A-State tradition of excellence. 
Engineering and Computer Science awarding a large check of one thousand dollars to a memeber of the alumni academy.A-State Alumni Academy on the football field posing for a big group picture.
2025 Alumni AwardsBoard & Executive CommitteeView MembersUpdate Your InfoNominationsBylaws
Dr. Hwang shaking hands with someone from the alumni academy at an awards dinner.

Advancing Engineering & Computer Science

The Alumni Academy highlights the lasting impact of an Arkansas State education.

The Alumni Academy serves as a platform for the College of Engineering and Computer Science to celebrate the achievements of its distinguished alumni while strengthening the college’s visibility and reputation at the regional, national, and global levels.

Alumni Academy members:

  • Support the mission and strategic goals of CoECS

  • Serve as role models and mentors for current students and emerging alumni

  • Inspire excellence in engineering, computer science, and related fields

  • Help build lasting connections between the

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2025 Annual Awards

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Brooke Gerau wins $1,000 scholarship check!
Dr. Bhattacharya holding a redwolf logo shaped bass guitar during the awards.
Dr. Bhattacharya presents a redwolf bass guitar!
Alumni Academy glass awards setting on a black table with a light in the background.
Recognizing outstanding alumni.
Dr. White giving a speech during the awards ceremony for the Alumni Academy.
Dr. White delivers a speech during the awards.
Alumni taking a group photo on the football field.
Wolves Up!

 

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See what our alumni say about the College of Engineering & Computer Science

Alumni Academy Videos

organization

The Arkansas State College of Engineering and Computer Science (CoECS) Alumni Academy 
(Academy) was established in 2021 with the purpose of providing a platform for CoECS to 
celebrate the accomplishments of its graduates and more importantly support and promote 
CoECS.

The Academy is governed by a Board of Directors, which has all the rights, powers, privileges, 
and limitations of liability of directors of a non-profit corporation. The Board consists of a 
minimum of nine voting members and two non-voting members. Each discipline of CoECS must 
have at least one representation on the Board.

Alumni Academy Members

Andrew Cody Brown Criminology 2006

Senior Director of Shipping & Logistics, Big River Steel

 

Brandy Davis B.S. Finance 2004

Hot Roll / Cold Roll Product Manager, Big River Steel

 

Todd Franke B.S.C.E Civil Engineering 1991

Owner, Owner AmeriSpec Inspection Services

 

James Jones Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (2013) & Bachelor of Science in Engineering (2013)

Arkansas Transportation Lead and Project Manager, HDR

 

Kendall Kirby Bachelor of Science, Computer Science 1987

Senior Vice President, Information Technology, USAble Life

 

Heath Lockley

Civil Engineering 2008, MBA, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, May 2015

 

William “Shannon” Luke District Ten Construction Engineer, ARDOT

BSE (Emphasis in Civil Engineering) 1991 and Master of Business Administration 1997

 

Blake Marotti Bachelors in Civil Engineering, 2010

General Manager, Wynne Water Utilities

 

Sharon Robinson-Garrett Bachelor of Science in Engineering – 1992, Master in Business Administration - Webster University, Saint Louis, MO – 2002

Senior Product Engineer, Navistar-International Truck and Engineer

 

Thomas “Neal” Taegtmeyer Bachelor of Science in Engineering emphasis in Civil Engineering 2006

Associate Principal Owner, Pickering Firm, Inc.

 

Shane Wood B.S.C.E Civil Engineering 1995

District Engineer, District 10, ARDOT

 

Timothy Arquitt B.S Technology with A Concentration in Technical Studies- 2013; M.S.A General Agriculture with A Concentration in Vocational Tech Admin, Class of 2015, Instructor at Arkansas State University

 

Wm.Craig Light B.S.E Engineering, Class of 1994, BS Engineering, Class of 1994, Chief City Engineer/Director of Engineering, City of Jonesboro​

 

 

Ryan Blankenship B.S.C.E Civil Engineering, Class of 2009; B.S.E Engineering with A Concentration in Civil Engineering, Class of 2009, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Class of 2009, Resident Engineer No. 04, Arkansas Department of Transportation​

 

Shaun Robertson B.S.E Engineering with A Concentration in Civil Engineering, Class of 2003, Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a Civil Emphasis, Class of 2003, Project Manager, Graver​

 

Lesley Wright B.S.E Engineering with A Concentration in Mechanical Engineering, Class of 2001, BS Engineering, Class of 2001, Co- Author, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University

 

Pedtra Wilson Flournoy B.S.E Engineering, Class of 1994, Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a concentration in Mechanical Engineering Class of 1994, Senior Systems Engineering, Trinity Industries Inc.​

 

Michael Busick B.S.E Engineering with A Concentration in Civil Engineering, Class of 2008 ,Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a concentration in Civil Engineering, Class of 2008, Senior Structures Engineer, Arkansas Department of Transportation 

 

Rose Garrett B.S.E Engineering with A Concentration in Mechanical Engineering, Class of 1998, BS Mechanical Engineering, Class of 1998, Chief of Medical Support Programs Branch & Program Manager with the US Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock District

 

Aaron Benzing B.S.E Engineering with A Concentration in Civil Engineering, Class of 2000, Civil Engineering, Class of 2001, Chief Financial Officer, Hawkins- Weir Engineers Inc

 

Bradley Clark B.S.E Engineering with A Concentration in Civil Engineering, Class of 2005, B.S Civil Engineering Class of 2005, Geotechnical Branch Chief, Southwestern Division Dam Safety Production Center, US Army Corps of Engineers​

 

Jason MacDonald B.S.E Engineering with A Concentration in Civil Engineering, Class of 2005, Bachelor of Science Engineering Class of 2005, Director, Water Resource, Fisher Arnold Inc.​

 

Gabe Knight B.S.C.E Civil Engineering, Class of 2009, B.S.E Engineering with A Concentration in Civil Engineering, Class of 2009, White River System Engineer, US Army Corps of Engineers​

 

Zachery Hill B.S.E Engineering with A Concentration in Electrical Engineering and Minor in Mathematics, Class of 2011, B.S.E.E Electrical Engineering, Class of 2011, Manager, Region Engineering, Entergy Services LLC

 

Bob Earwood B.S General Business , Class of 1980 B.S. Business Administration, Class of 1980, Co Founder & Managing Partner of Inspyre Group 

 

Thomas Kennett B.S.E Engineering, Class of 1985, Retired Military / FedEx pilot, FedEx Flight Ops

 

Wade Tate B.S Computer Science, Class of 1987, Master of Science, Computer Science, Class of  1991, Supervisor and primary systems engineer, JANUS Research Group LLC.

 

David Sales BS Computer Science, Class of 1987, Executive Vice President, JANUS Research Group​

 

Alex Roofe B.S.E Engineering with A Concentration in Civil Engineering, Class of 2012, B.S.C.E Civil Engineering, Class of 2012, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Class of 2012, District Maintenance Engineer, Arkansas Department of Transportation

 

Ryan Essington B.S.E Engineering with A Concentration in Electrical Engineering, Class of 2013, B.S.E.E Electrical Engineering, Class of 2013, Application Design Engineer, Alstom Transportation

 

Cody Hardin M.E.M Engineering Management, Class of 2018, B.S Aerospace Engineering, Class of 2008, Research Engineer/Workforce Development Trainer, Mississippi State University Advanced Composites Institute

 

Christopher Crowley Friend of A-State,   Chief Financial Officer, US Steel/Big River Steel

 

Lee Morgan Friend of A-State, CEO/President, The Systems Group​

 

David Williamson Friend of A-State, President, Automation Outfitters 

Micheal Foster, Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Class of 1992, Principal Owner, Pickering Firm Inc.

 

Scott Brown, Bachelor of Science in Engineering Concentration in Electrical Engineering, Class of 2005, Supervisor, Seams & AFC Support, Southwest Power Pool

 

Jon C. Calhoun, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and B.S Mathematics, Assistant Professor, Holcombe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Clemson University

 

Preston Campbell, Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a concentration in Civil Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Class of 2009, Mississippi Bridge Team Leader, Garver

 

Chris Griffin, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Class of 2003, Director of Software Engineering, Hytrol Conveyor Co.

 

John Hall, Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Engineering Class of 2012, Nuclear reactor engineer and operator, Sandia National Laboratories

 

Joe Hillebrenner, Bachelor of Science of Engineering Concentration in Mechanical Engineering, Class of 2007, Chief Operating Officer, Dialectic Engineering

 

Drew Hoggard, Bachelor of Science of Engineering Concentration in Civil Engineering, Class of 2006, District 2 Engineer, AR Department of Transportation

 

Patrick Jackson, Bachelor of Science of Engineering, Class of 1994, Configuring Engineer, Leidos

 

Matthew LeMay, Bachelor of Science in Engineering Concentration Electrical Computer Information Engineering. Class of 2007, Senior Project Manager, Garver

 

Brad Marotti, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and B.S. Engineering Concentration in Civil Engineering, Class of 2009, Regional Manager, Delta Companies, Inc.

 

Mark Morris, Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Concentration in Civil Engineering, 2003, M.E.M. Engineering Management Class of 2003 & 2009, Founder and President, Mark Morris Construction, LLC.

 

“Opie” O’Quinn, Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and B.S. Engineering Concentration in Electrical Engineering, Class of 2012, VP of Technical Services, GRT Rubber Technologies

 

Brandon Passmore, Bachelor of Science in Engineering Concentration in Civil Engineering, Class of 2001, Materials Division Head, AR Department of Transportation

 

Chris Poole, Bachelor of Science Engineering, Class of 1994, Quality Engineer, White River Health

 

 Paul Tinsley, Bachelor of Science Engineering Concentration in Civil Engineering, Class of 2001, Materials Division Head, AR Department of Transportation

 

Jared Wiley, Bachelor of Science Engineering Concentration in Civil Engineering, Class of 2005, Assistant Chief Engineer – Planning, Arkansas Department of Transportation

 

Brandon Avant, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Class of 2011

Principal Consultant, Rural Sourcing Inc.

Clint Bell, Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a concentration in Civil Engineering, Class

of 2001, President and sole owner, CWB Engineers Inc.

Charles Brinkley, Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Class of 1992

Sic Power Module Customer Quality Engineer, Cree-Wolfspeed

Keith Britton, Friend of college

President and Founder, Iconic Consulting Group Inc.

Andrew Butler, Bachelor of Science in Technology with a concentration in Manufacturing

Industrial Technology, Class of 1999, Senior Business Analyst, Autozone Inc.


Todd Castleberry, Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Class of 1992

Sales Engineer, Harrison Energy Partners


Jim Chidester, Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Class of 1993

Senior Mechanical Engineer, Batson Inc.


Eric Farmer, Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Class of 1992

Aviation Electrical Director and Senior Project Manager, Garver


Ted Freeman, Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Class of 1997

Owner and Lead Business Coach, Velucidate Consulting


David Handwork, Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering, Class of 1993

Assistant Vice Chancellor of Facilities Management, Arkansas State University


Dr. David Humble, Bachelor of Science in Technology with a concentration in Technology

Management, Class of 1997

System Director, Tower Health


Rickey Jackson, Bachelor of Science in Technology with a concentration in Technology

Management, Class of 1998

Owner, R. L. Jackson’s Construction LLC


Jessie Jones, Bachelor of Science in Engineering, with a concentration in Civil Engineering,

Class of 2001

Head, Program Management Division, Arkansas Department of Transportation


Dr. Brandon Kemp, Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a concentration in Electrical

Engineering, Class of 1997

Professor of Electrical Engineering and Director of Engineering Graduate Programs, Arkansas

State University


Leon King, Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a concentration in Electrical Engineering,

Class of 1998

Electrical Engineering Department Manager, AECOM


Garland Martin, Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Class of 1990

Account Manager, Hytrol Conveyor Co.


Edith Martinez-Guerra, Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a concentration in Civil

Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Class of 2012

Research Environmental Engineer, US Army Engineer Research and Development Center


Bryan Melton, Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Class of 1995

Project Manager, Garver


Rebecca O’Dell, Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Class of 1986

Director (retired) of Facilities Management Division, Region 7, US General Services

Administration


Herbert J. (Bert) Parker, Friend of College

Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, Garver (retired)


Adam Roberson, Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a concentration in Civil Engineering,

Class of 2005

Senior Project Manager, Aviation Team, Garver


Aaron Robinson, Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a concentration in Civil

Engineering, Class of 1996

Senior Civil Engineer, Bond Consulting Engineers


Natalie Rogers, Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a concentration in Civil

Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Class of 2010

Water Resources Engineer, FTN Associates Inc.


Brad Smithee, Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering, Class of 1988

District Engineer, Arkansas Department of Transportation


Jason Stewart, Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering, Class of 1996

Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering and Director of the Civil Engineering Program,

Arkansas State University


Evan Teague, Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Class of 1995

Vice President, Commodity and Regulatory Affairs, Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation


Rex Vines, Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Class of 1993

Deputy Director and Chief Engineer, Arkansas Department of Transportation


Adam White, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with a minor in Mathematics,

Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a Civil Engineering Concentration, Class of 2012

Senior Associate, Terracon Consultants Inc.


Leigh Wineland, Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Class of 1993

Project delivery engineer, Unilever


Deric Wyatt, Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a concentration in Civil Engineering,

Class of 2003

District Engineer, Arkansas Department of Transportation

How to Nominate Someone

Submit a form with the following:

CoECS Alumni Academy Nomination

The professional bio should not exceed 250 words. A sample bio is given below.

SAMPLE BIO


John Joe began his career with Arkansas Corporation in January 2002 as a Mechanical Engineer. He
followed the engineering career path in the Corporation until obtaining his current position of Deputy 
Chief Engineer for Operations in 2018. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the operations of the 
Corporation with an annual operating budget of $300 million. John is actively involved in the National 
Society of Mechanical Engineers where he currently serves as the chapter president in Arkansas. He has 
a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, and a master’s 
degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He is a Registered 
Professional Engineer.

Board & Executive Committees

View past and present Board of Directors & Executive Committee members

2025:
Board of directors

 

Executive Committee

 

Committee chairs

 

Past Boards & Committees

Board of directors
  • Jessie Jones (1) (Civil Engineering)
  • Natalie Rogers (3) (Civil Engineering)
  • Evan Teague (1) (Civil Engineering)
  • Deric Wyatt (1) (Civil Engineering)
  • Chris Griffin (2) (Computer Science)
  • Charles Brinkley (2) (Electrical Engineering)
  • Eric Farmer (1) (Electrical Engineering)
  • Garland Martin (3) (Electrical Engineering)
  • Bryan Melton (2) (Electrical Engineering)
  • Rickey Jackson (2) (Engineering Technology)
  • Jim Chidester (1) (Past President / Mech. Engineering, Engineering Management)
  • Leigh Wineland (1) (Mechanical Engineering)
  • Herbert J. (Bert) Parker (1) (Board Member at-large)
  • Dr. Abhijit Bhattacharyya (Dean – Non-voting Member)
  • Dr. Alexandr Sokolov (Full Time Faculty Member – Non-voting Member)
Executive Committee
  • President Jessie Jones
  • Vice-President Charles Brinkley
  • Treasurer Natalie Rogers
  • Secretary Dr. Yeonsang Hwang
  • Member-at-Large Keith Britton
  • Member-at-Large Brad Smithee
  • Past President Jim Chidester
  • Dean (Non-voting) Dr. Abhijit Bhattacharyya
Committee chairs
  • Membership Nominating Natalie Rogers
  • Officer Nominating Jim Chidester
  • Conduct Charles Brinkley
  • Communications Charles Brinkley
  • Strategic Planning Jessie Jones
Board of directors
  • Jessie Jones (Civil Engineering)
  • Evan Teague (Civil Engineering)
  • Deric Wyatt (Civil Engineering)
  • Chris Griffin (Computer Science)
  • Charles Brinkley (Electrical Engineering)
  • Eric Farmer (Electrical Engineering)
  • Bryan Melton (Electrical Engineering)
  • Rickey Jackson (Engineering Technology)
  • Jim Chidester (Mechanical Engineering,
  • Engineering Management)
  • Leigh Wineland (Mechanical Engineering)
  • Herbert J. (Bert) Parker (Past President of the
  • Academy/Board Member at-large)
  • Dr. Abhijit Bhattacharyya (Dean – Non-voting
  • Member)
  • Dr. Alexandr Sokolov (Full Time Faculty Member – Non-voting Member)
Executive Committee
  • President Jim Chidester
  • Vice-President Jessie Jones
  • Treasurer Charles Brinkley
  • Secretary Yeonsang Hwang
  • Member-at-Large Natalie Rogers
  • Member-at-Large Keith Britton
  • Past President Herbert J. (Bert) Parker
  • Dean (Non-voting) Dr. Abhijit Bhattacharyya
Committee chairs
  • Membership Nominating Natalie Rogers
  • Officer Nominating Vacant
  • Conduct Vacant
Board of directors
  • Herbert J. (Bert) Parker (Board Member at-large)
  • Jim Chidester (Mechanical Engineering,
  • Engineering Management)
  • Jessie Jones (Civil Engineering)
  • Deric Wyatt (Civil Engineering)
  • Evan Teague (Civil Engineering)
  • Eric Farmer (Electrical Engineering)
  • Andrew Butler (Engineering Technology)
  • Brandon Avant (Computer Science)
  • Leigh Wineland (Mechanical Engineering)
  • None (Past President of the Academy)
  • Non-Voting (Dean)
  • Non-Voting (Full Time Faculty Member)
Executive Committee
  • President Herbert J. (Bert) Parker
  • Vice-President Jim Chidester
  • Treasurer Jessie Jones
  • Secretary Abhijit Bhattacharyya
  • Member-at-Large Bryan Melton
  • Member-at-Large Natalie Rogers
  • None Past President of the Academy
  • Non-Voting Dean