INSIDE
LEGACY LEADERS
Reflections from past BEYA honorees
BEYA WINNERS
Get to know the honorees of 2026
GENERATION NEXT
Tomorrow’s innovators stepping into STEM leadership
LEADING WITH A PURPOSE
How Charles Crews turned authenticity into influence and emerged as BEYA’s top honoree
Charles C. Crews Executive Vice President and Chief
Operations
Officer
Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline
FEATURES
How 2026 BEYA President’s Award honoree Charles Crews found strength in honest, accountable, peoplefirst leadership.
Just
Explore this year’s award recipients—from legacy leaders to rising innovators— shaping the future of science and technology. MODERN-DAY TECHNOLOGY
Meet researchers, engineers, and innovators shaping the future through bold ideas and breakthrough discoveries.
THE LONG ARC OF EXCELLENCE 42
Past BEYA honorees reflect on four decades of leadership, impact, and the moments that shaped a national STEM legacy.
GENERATION NEXT 48
Meet the students and earlycareer innovators who are turning bold ideas, research breakthroughs, and lived experiences into solutions for a changing world.
REDEFINING LEADERSHIP FOR A NEW STEM ERA 52
Young BEYA honorees share insights on leading with clarity, purpose, and humanity in today’s STEM landscape.
Meet the engineers, scientists, and problemsolvers driving progress across today’s most influential industries. SCIENCE SPECTRUM TRAILBLAZERS 41
DEPARTMENTS
PEOPLE & EVENTS 12
A look at recent honors, appointments, and milestones of leaders shaping STEM, education, and industry nationwide.
EDUCATION 16
How UMES is expanding programs, strengthening research, and integrating AI to prepare future engineers.
CAREER VOICES 20
Why resilience matters in STEM—and how students and early-career professionals can build it.
CORPORATE LIFE 22
How emerging STEM professionals can build trust and lead multigenerational teams.
JOB HORIZON 54
How the next generation of engineers will need versatility, judgment, and responsibility as technology shapes human life.
Charles Crews, EVP and COO of Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, in discussion with a colleague
26 COVER
How 2026 BEYA President’s Award honoree Charles Crews found strength in honest, accountable, peoplefirst leadership.
FROM CREDIBILITY TO COMMITTMENT
To our longtime readers, to those joining us for the first time, and to everyone who has ever picked up this magazine and found something meaningful inside it, thank you.
Reaching this moment feels both humbling and extraordinary. We are celebrating 40 years of the BEYA STEM Conference and Volume 50 of US Black Engineer & Information Technology Magazine. We do not take either milestone for granted. They are here because of you.
When we held the first BEYA gathering in 1986, and when the earliest editions of USBE were printed, none of us knew exactly what the future would look like. What we did know was that there were stories that deserved to be told and talent that deserved to be seen. We knew there were young people who needed examples, professionals who needed recognition, and communities who needed a platform that believed in them. Looking back now, I am grateful that we followed that instinct. It has shaped four decades of connection, celebration, and purpose.
This year’s theme, “From Credibility to Commitment,” feels especially meaningful as we reflect on where we have been and where we are headed. Credibility is something this community earned the hard way. It came from thousands of leaders who showed up every day, did the work, and created excellence whether the world was paying attention or not. Commitment is what takes us forward. It is the promise that we will keep investing in young people, keep strengthening institutions, and keep supporting the innovators and educators who make STEM stronger for everyone. We are publishing this issue during a complicated moment in our country. Some conversations about opportunity and representation are harder now than they were a few years ago. But BEYA and USBE have never been defined by the climate around them. We have always been defined by the people we serve. And when I look at this year’s honorees, students, alumni and partners, I am reminded that progress often begins with steady, determined work from people who believe in possibility.
Whether you have been part of the USBE family from the very beginning or are opening the magazine for the very first time, I want you to know this: You belong in this story. Your curiosity, your ideas, your leadership, and your commitment are part of what has carried BEYA for 40 years and USBE into its 50th volume.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for supporting this community. And thank you for helping us build what comes next. The future still needs builders, thinkers, teachers, and innovators. It needs people who are willing to lead with purpose. And as long as that remains true, BEYA and USBE will be here to lift those stories up.
With sincere appreciation,
Tyrone D. Taborn Publisher
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by Lango Deen editors@ccgmag.com
PEOPLE & EVENTS
Honors, Appointments, and Milestones Shaping the STEM Leadership Landscape in 2025–2026
SShirley Ann Jackson, Ph.D.
hirley Ann Jackson, Ph.D., received an honorary degree from Brandeis University in the spring of 2025. During the university’s 74th Graduate Commencement address, Jackson said she accepted the honor with gratitude not only as a scientist, policymaker, and educator, but as someone who understands what it means to be given a chance and to use that chance in the service of something greater. She explained that she grew up in a world of “great upheaval,” with the Civil Rights Movement, school desegregation, and the space race. Jackson also said the 1954 Supreme Court case, Brown v. Board of Education, “opened wider the doors of public education to African Americans,” and the space race resulted in an increased effort to educate students in science and technology.
Ford Motor Company appointed Alicia Boler Davis as the president of Ford Pro, effective October 2025. Born in Detroit, MI, Davis has several family members, including her father and grandfather, who have worked at Ford over the years. She expressed that the opportunity to lead Ford Pro resonates deeply with her on both personal and professional
levels. Davis was previously the CEO of an online pharmacy that achieved over $1 billion in revenue under her leadership before being acquired in March 2025. She also serves on the board of directors for JPMorgan Chase & Co.
AIn the summer of 2025, Ted Colbert joined Resilinc, a frontrunner in agentic supply chain risk and compliance. The company said Colbert’s addition comes as it expands its agentic AI platform to address growing worldwide demand for autonomous supply chain risk and compliance solutions. Most recently, Colbert was president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, where he led efforts in operational stabilization, digital transformation, and supply chain modernization.
Since January 2025, Colin J. Parris, Ph.D. has been a director at Corebridge Financial. Previously, he was
s part of its commitment to inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists, The Aerospace Corporation awarded Ephrem Adugna with the Wanda M. Austin, Ph.D. STEM Scholarship. The scholarship was named after Aerospace’s former CEO and president for her dedication and support of STEM education. This year’s winner received a summer internship, an Aerospace mentor, and $10,000 toward his education, renewable for four years. In eighth grade, Adunga designed his first app to help Type 1 diabetics track their blood sugar and dosage data. This desire to help others through computer science continued as he created an online platform that allows students to preorder their lunch and an app that uses AI to help people improve their language skills. He began attending the University of Southern California in the fall of 2025 to study computer science and business.
Wanda M. Austin, Ph.D. 2009 BEYA Winner
senior vice president and chief treasury officer at GE Digital and a senior corporate officer at GE Corporation. Parris is currently a board member for technology companies APTIV, a worldwide mobility technology firm, and Diebold Nixdorf, a global leader in revolutionizing banking and shopping experiences. Parris has considerable expertise in software, particularly in data software and artificial intelligence, and leading digital transformation initiatives.
Anthony R. James was honored as the 2024 University of South Florida Distinguished
Alumnus. He was recognized for dedicating his life to making an impact, from his roots in Central Florida fields to his rise as a power company executive. As one of USF’s first Black electrical engineering graduates, he worked multiple jobs to support his family and eventually became CEO of Georgia Power. His career achievements have earned him the College of Engineering Lifetime Achievement Award, but his true legacy lies in his dedication to others. He continues to serve by chairing the USF Foundation Board
and, with his wife Sheila, establishing a scholarship for minority engineering students. His story is a testament to resilience, mentorship, and the power of giving back.
Gerald Johnson has been elected to the board of directors of Eaton, an intelligent power management company. Johnson is a retired executive vice president at General Motors. He is also a board member of Caterpillar Inc. and Group14, a manufacturer of silicon battery materials. Furthermore, Johnson serves on the Kettering University Board of Trustees and was on the UNCF National Board of Directors
Ryerson Holding Corporation, a leading processor and distributor of industrial metals, has elected retired Army Lt. Gen. Bruce T. Crawford to its board of directors. Crawford is a board member of Foundation Risk Partners, Comtech Telecommunications Corp, and the George C. Marshall International Center. He is affiliated with the Association of the U.S. Army and the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association. Additionally, he has served as an advisor to The Partners Group Private Equity firm, as well as on the advisory boards for CyberArk and Rubrik cyber security companies. He is also the national chair of the BEYA K-12 STEM Mentoring Program.
Colin J. Parris, Ph.D. 2023 BEYA Winner
retired Army Lt. Gen. Bruce T. Crawford 2020 BEYA Winner
Ted Colbert 2022 BEYA Winner
PEOPLE & EVENTS
To stay up to date and all news and events, Visit our webpage www.BlackEngineer.com
from 2022 to 2024.
Anthony Mitchell, former executive vice president at Booz Allen Hamilton, is a member of the SRC Board of Trustees and the SRC International Board of Directors. In addition to his role at SRC, Mitchell is a
Performance Improvement Practice. Before his time at AlixPartners, he served as the chief transformation officer at The Carlyle Group, where he led extensive organizational change initiatives that covered culture, structure, design, corporate strategy, diversity, and talent. Before joining The Carlyle Group, Van Lee spent 32 years at Booz Allen Hamilton.
Paul Caldwell Jr. has been a long-standing member of the board of directors at Emerald Energy Resources Limited and now serves as the senior strategic advisor, operations, to aid Emerald in assessing the potential of OML 141 (formerly OPL 229). He offers comprehensive business planning, operations assistance, and strategic guidance to support Emerald’s growth. USBE
Alicia Boler Davis 2018 BEYA Winner
Gerald Johnson 2021 BEYA Winner
Anthony Mitchell 2019 BEYA Winner
by Lango Deen editors@ccgmag.com
UMES ENGINEERS THE FUTURE
How a Growing Program, New Faculty, and AI-Driven Coursework
Are Transforming Pathways into the STEM Workforce EDUCATION
The future looks bright for the Department of Engineering at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), as shown on its website.
Notable highlights include the Sloane Prize for Undergraduate Research, awarded at the National
Professor and Chair Department of Engineering and Aviation Sciences
College Honors Council Annual Conference, and the launch of the UMES Space Research Club, which offers opportunities to explore space research. Additionally, a microgravity research flight campaign has trained payload
specialists and two astronauts.
The department has also made significant advancements in health technology, including the development of a platform for single-cell quantification. Innovations were showcased at the 4-H STEM Expo, which inspired young innovators, and a paper garnered the Henry Pusey Award at the 94th Shock and Vibration Symposium, underscoring the department's commitment to academic excellence.
Photos highlight faculty involvement with the 2025–2026 Amazon MLU-HBCU Educator Consortium, aimed at integrating AI and machine learning (ML) into classrooms.
The Amazon Web Services (AWS) Machine Learning University (MLU) initiative is collaborating with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) through the AWS Machine Learning University Educator Enablement Program (MLU-EEP), and its related Consortium/Alliance, which aims to democratize AI and ML education and increase diversity in the technology field.
UMES students have also demonstrated their talents at the 21st IEEE/ASME Mechatronics and Embedded Systems Applications Symposium. During the 14th Annual Research Symposium, students in the Electromagnetics and Antenna Lab conducted research on future space food and suit
technology.
The UMES engineering department has also achieved recognition by winning the HBCU Clean Energy Education Prize in Phase 1 and participating in the Engineering for One Planet Program, reflecting its commitment to sustainability.
Recently, USBE Magazine spoke to UMES following the USM Board of Regents' approval of new academic programs. UMES now offers four bachelor's degree programs in engineering: Bachelor of Science in engineering, Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering, Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering, and Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering. The Bachelor of Science in engineering program has been ABET-
"AT UMES, COURSES LIKE INTRODUCTION TO MACHINE LEARNING AND AI, ALONG WITH OUR DIGITAL BADGE PROGRAM IN ML, HELP STUDENTS BUILD PRACTICAL AI SKILLS WHILE UNDERSTANDING THEIR IMPLICATIONS.”
— YUANWEI JIN
accredited since 2011, while the other three programs have been established more recently to meet the growing demands of students and industry.
Over the past five academic years, approximately 70 Bachelor of Science degrees in engineering have been awarded by UMES, according to Yuanwei Jin, professor and chair of the Department of Engineering and Aviation Sciences.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in engineering program often pursue
Yuanwei Jin (center),
University of Maryland Eastern Shore, poses with his award at a recent BEYA Conference.
advanced studies in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or industrial engineering at other institutions, either at the Ph.D. or master's level.
UMES is enhancing opportunities for future engineers by strengthening hands-on learning, building industry partnerships, and providing more internships and research experiences, as well as modern lab facilities. The program emphasizes real-world problem-solving, mentorship, and emerging technologies, ensuring that students develop the skills, experience, and support they need to succeed in today's engineering workforce. In the age of AI, creating new engineering pathways involves equipping students with strong fundamentals and meaningful exposure to intelligent systems.
"At UMES, courses like Introduction to Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, along with our digital badge program in machine learning, help students build practical AI skills while understanding their ethical and societal implications. This prepares graduates to use AI responsibly, innovate confidently, and adapt to rapidly evolving technologies," said Jin.
UMES is also promoting STEM growth by updating its curriculum with emerging technologies, expanding undergraduate research opportunities, and enhancing mentorship through faculty-student research collaborations. Recently, the university recruited eight new assistant professors in engineering specifically to develop innovative courses, advance research productivity, and better support students.
"These efforts ensure that our students acquire cutting-edge skills, receive personalized guidance, and engage in meaningful research experiences that prepare them for the future STEM workforce,” Jin said.
“Faculty leadership and institutional partnerships are essential in building a strong pipeline from classroom to career. Our faculty guide students through research, mentorship, and industryfocused learning, while partnerships with companies, government agencies, and graduate programs create opportunities for internships, real-world projects, and career placements. Together, they ensure that students gain the skills, connections, and experience needed for a smooth transition into the STEM workforce."
The graduate outcomes of the
UMES engineering program focus on producing engineers who can solve complex problems, design practical and safe solutions, communicate effectively, work ethically and professionally, collaborate in diverse teams, and utilize modern engineering tools. Graduates are also prepared to learn new technologies throughout their careers, allowing them to thrive in both industry roles and advanced studies.
UMES engineering graduates possess strong problemsolving abilities, hands-on design and lab experience, solid technical foundations, and the capacity to work in teams, communicate clearly, and use modern engineering tools. This preparation equips them for both employment and further study.
Graduates of the engineering program at UMES typically find roles as engineers in the industry or government— such as in aerospace systems, electrical or mechanical design, or avionics—or choose to pursue graduate school. The program's ABET accreditation, emphasis on practical labs and internships, and focused specialization tracks help position students for successful careers or advanced studies. USBE
"THESE
EFFORTS ENSURE THAT OUR STUDENTS ACQUIRE CUTTING-EDGE SKILLS, RECEIVE PERSONALIZED GUIDANCE, AND ENGAGE IN MEANINGFUL RESEARCH EXPERIENCES THAT PREPARE THEM FOR THE FUTURE STEM WORKFORCE.”
— YUANWEI JIN
Yuanwei Jin (center), Professor and Chair Department of Engineering and Aviation Sciences University of Maryland Eastern Shore, poses with his award at a recent BEYA Conference.
by CCG Editors editors@ccgmag.com
STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY
Why resilience matters in STEM—and how students and young professionals can cultivate it intentionally
obstacles as signs they are falling short. The seminar encouraged a different perspective. Setbacks, the speakers noted, are information. They highlight what needs to be strengthened, where additional learning is needed, and how to redirect effort. When challenges are treated as data rather than personal failures, students
STEM environments often require quick decisions, but thoughtful pauses can make communication clearer and strengthen working relationships.
In STEM fields, resilience is more than a personal trait. It grows into a professional asset that helps students and earlycareer engineers stay steady through shifting workloads, evolving technologies, and the challenges that no one can always predict. A recent BEYA
professional development seminar on building resilience offered grounded, practical guidance for navigating these pressures and advancing with confidence.
A central theme was the idea that resilience begins with mindset. Students often view
and professionals position themselves to adapt more effectively.
SETBACKS ARE INFORMATION—NOT INDICATORS OF FAILURE.
Self-awareness also played an important role in the discussion. High achievers sometimes feel that asking for help undermines credibility, but resilience often grows through connection. Mentors, peers, and professional networks can offer clarity during stressful moments and help prevent the isolation that frequently accompanies demanding academic or workplace environments. The BEYA community is especially valuable in this way because students can learn from professionals who have walked similar paths and understand the pressures that come with building a STEM career.
The seminar also underscored the value of rest. STEM cultures often reward constant motion, yet burnout can arrive quietly and weaken performance over time. Rest is not a retreat from ambition. It is a strategic choice that supports longterm effectiveness. Setting boundaries, taking breaks, and making time for personal wellbeing help restore the focus and creativity required for complex problem-solving.
Another meaningful takeaway centered on learning the difference between reacting and responding.
STEM environments often require quick decisions, but thoughtful pauses can make communication clearer and strengthen working relationships. Responding with intention, rather than reacting out of stress or uncertainty, builds trust and reinforces professional credibility. This habit becomes especially important as students transition into leadership roles or handle higher-stakes responsibilities.
Adaptability is another essential component of resilience in STEM. Technology changes rapidly, and career paths rarely move in a straight line. Staying open to new tools, unfamiliar methods, and evolving expectations helps students and professionals remain confident as they navigate shifts in their coursework or workplace responsibilities. Curiosity supports this flexibility. When individuals view change as an opportunity to grow, resilience becomes a natural part of their progression.
Purpose also emerged as a defining source of resilience. STEM students and professionals experience moments when motivation fades or obstacles feel
overwhelming. The seminar encouraged attendees to anchor themselves in the reason they chose this field. Purpose provides clarity during difficult stretches and strengthens commitment when the work becomes demanding. It also helps individuals connect their personal goals to the broader impact of STEM on communities and society.
For the BEYA community, resilience is more than a skill to practice. It is a leadership quality that shapes how students learn, how professionals advance, and how teams work together. It enables individuals to take ownership of their development, seek support when needed, and remain focused on long-term growth.
The seminar’s message was simple and powerful. Resilience is not about avoiding difficulty. It is about navigating it with intention, learning from every step, and moving forward with a renewed sense of purpose. As BEYA students and professionals prepare to lead in labs, classrooms, boardrooms, and beyond, resilience will remain one of the most important tools they carry. USBE
Setbacks, the speakers noted, are information. They highlight what needs to be strengthened, where additional learning is needed, and how to redirect effort.
RESILIENCE IS NOT ABOUT AVOIDING DIFFICULTY BUT NAVIGATING IT WITH INTENTION AND PURPOSE.
What's next in STEM? We're already covering it at BlackEngineer.com
by CCG Editors editors@ccgmag.com
BEYOND TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
Strategies
for navigating diverse teams, reducing friction, and leading with clarity
in a rapidly evolving workforce
Today's STEM workplaces are more varied, more connected, and more complex than ever before. For students and early-career professionals stepping into corporate environments, leadership is
the seminar was that effective leadership begins with awareness. In many organizations, team members bring varied experiences, communication styles, and expectations shaped by their age, background, or
In many organizations, team members bring varied experiences, communication styles, and expectations shaped by their age, background, or professional journey.
no longer defined by technical ability alone. A recent BEYA professional development seminar underscored how essential it is to understand people, communicate clearly, and build trust across differences that span generations, cultures, and work locations.
A central message from
professional journey. Instead of viewing these differences as barriers, emerging leaders were encouraged to treat them as strengths. Teams that bring together varied perspectives are often the best equipped to solve complex STEM challenges. The key is learning how to recognize and leverage those perspectives
productively.
Participants also examined the role of self-reflection in leadership. Misunderstandings often arise not because people disagree, but because they interpret information differently. Leaders who pause to clarify expectations, encourage questions, and make space for open dialogue help create an environment where team members feel secure enough to contribute honestly. Psychological safety does not happen by accident. It develops when leaders demonstrate patience, respect, and a willingness to listen.
The seminar also addressed the realities of hybrid work, which continues to reshape STEM industries. As teams blend in-person and remote collaboration, communication must be intentional. Clear agendas, transparent decision-
TEAMS THAT BRING TOGETHER VARIED PERSPECTIVES ARE OFTEN THE BEST EQUIPPED TO SOLVE COMPLEX STEM CHALLENGES.
making, and consistent follow-up help ensure that everyone has equal access to information. Technology plays an important role, but the speakers emphasized that connection is a human responsibility. Small habits, such as checking in regularly or recognizing contributions publicly, help maintain a sense of unity even when people are not physically together.
One caution raised in the seminar was proximity bias, when on-site employees receive more attention or opportunities simply because they are visible. Leaders who value equity take steps to distribute assignments fairly, rotate meeting leadership
responsibilities, and evaluate performance based on outcomes instead of location. These actions help ensure that all team members feel they belong and that their work matters.
Adaptability was another theme woven throughout the discussion. Modern workplaces require leaders who can adjust their communication style, rethink old assumptions, and respond thoughtfully to changing circumstances. Being adaptable also means welcoming feedback and using it to grow. Younger professionals, in particular, want leaders who demonstrate transparency and a willingness to evolve. Leaders who model this behavior build credibility and inspire confidence.
Underlying all these insights was a broader message about clarity. Whether guiding a multigenerational team or coordinating across hybrid schedules, ambiguity slows
progress and undermines morale. Clear priorities, defined roles, and realistic expectations help teams stay aligned and reduce unnecessary friction. Clarity does not limit creativity. Instead, it gives teams the structure needed to collaborate more effectively.
Above all, the seminar highlighted that trust is the foundation of strong leadership. Trust forms when people feel respected and supported, when communication is consistent, and when leaders hold themselves accountable to the same standards they expect of others. In fast-moving STEM environments shaped by constant technological change, trust provides a sense of stability that enables teams to innovate with confidence.
For BEYA STEM students and professionals preparing to enter or advance in corporate spaces, the lessons shared in
this seminar offer a practical roadmap. Leading across differences is not about asking everyone to work the same way. It is about recognizing unique strengths, bridging communication gaps, and creating conditions where talent can thrive.
In workplaces that are increasingly diverse, collaborative, and interconnected, these human-centered skills are not optional. They are essential tools for shaping the STEM workforce of the future. USBE
Find your future collaborators, mentors, and breakthroughs. They’re waiting in the metaverse at STEMCityUSA.com
As teams blend inperson and remote collaboration, communication must be intentional.
TRUST FORMS WHEN PEOPLE FEEL RESPECTED, SUPPORTED, AND GUIDED WITH CLARITY.
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the energyintegrity. of Charles Crews and
the power of commitment
by Gale Horton Gay
doesn’t always come easy.
career includes 25 years at two Fortune 500 utility companies, where he held senior leadership positions. He previously served as president and CEO of the Northeast Gas
Crews has a calm demeanor. However, there was a time in his 30s when he tried to change his personality following the advice of a superior who told him that Crews was “too nice” and needed to toughen his leadership style if he expected to advance. It was a
“I turned into a jackass,” said Crews, reflecting on how he acted for
He likened his changed behavior to “playing a character in a movie.” As a result, his team became confused, disengaged, and fractured. Crews found himself exhausted at the end of the day and grumpy when he returned home to his wife and daughters. He ended up taking another role within the company and returned to a less aggressive management style. For a while, his career stalled.
authentic leadership
Over time, leading in an authentic manner paid off. He found support from other executives who
appreciated his leadership approach. That’s when his career took off.
“I allow people to be the best version of themselves,” said Crews, adding that he gives team members plenty of freedom to work in ways best for them but with one condition: that they take full responsibility for their actions and decisions.
“I allow people to be the best versions of themselves.”
“I try to lead by example. Integrity … is about always doing the right thing, whether in life or in work,” said Crews, adding that he leans heavily on his faith.
He added that the best leaders are those with integrity coupled with an equally high level of humility. His inspiration along his life journey has been his mother, Victoria Crews, a single parent who
celebrating the ���6 awardees
reared three children and remains an important part of his life.
“She never yelled, screamed,” he said wistfully. “She was always steady. She didn’t give us a lot, but she gave us all we needed. I call her my hero.”
strategic leadership
Today at Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Crews, 55, provides strategic leadership for all operational, safety and compliance, sustainability, and project execution aspects of Southern Star’s natural gas transmission and underground storage systems.
As a member of the company’s chief executive leadership team, he also assists in leading its long-term value creation plan and corporate strategy. During his time at Northeast Gas Association, Crews implemented key operational improvements and spearheaded the development of its renewed strategic plan with an emphasis on leading a balanced clean energy transition across the region.
Crews said his philosophy involves holding individuals to a level of accountability, giving them freedom to work independently and
“Customers, particularly the most vulnerable, increasingly expect choice, control, and transparency in their energy needs and experiences.”
learn from their wins/losses. He emphasized the importance of embracing diversity of thought.
One of the benchmark moments in Crews’ career was in 2016, while working at Consumers Energy, when he decided to address employee safety concerns by bringing three field union workers to his staff meetings that covered a wide range of company business, including financials. His staff didn’t take to the idea at first, questioning: “Why are we sharing financial information with them?”
“I wanted them [union members] to know why we make the decisions that we make in addition to safety,” said Crews.
“It was choppy at first,” he said, adding that over time, trust was established and ideas were shared about safety and other aspects of the business, such as cost savings. “It turned into something really impactful,” explained Crews.
from credibility to commitment
As laser-focused as Crews is today, he hasn’t always been that way. He recalls his early years when he was the class clown, making selfdeprecating jokes as a chubby kid before others had a chance to tease him. He was smart but didn’t want anyone to know it. There was also a rudderless period when he had little ambition and was uncertain what to do after high school.
One year at Clark Atlanta University followed by a transfer to Ohio University showed him that his affinity for math and science was a path to engineering. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial and systems engineering before achieving an M.B.A. from Capital
Charles Crews, on the right, makes a site visit with Chris Schindler, EVP, GC, and CCO, Southern Star.
University, both with high honors.
These experiences are why Crews seeks opportunities to speak to young people, especially K–8 males in underrepresented groups.
“I was like them once,” said Crews of the importance of sharing his story. “There’s this thing called engineering that I didn’t know about. I did not have a clue.”
Opening young eyes to career possibilities in engineering is his goal.
“There are options,” said Crews. “I’m careful not to say college is the only option.”
As for the future on the energy front, Crews is cautiously optimistic and sees innovation being a big part of it.
“We don’t have to have opposing views of how to create a sustainable energy future,” he said, adding that natural gas, oil, and coal are all necessary to reach that goal.
Working in opposition to others’ ideas and positions “rarely ever solves anything,” he said. “Let’s work really hard to figure out and develop solutions together.”
Crews also sees Black and Brown consumers being affected the most by what he terms the “energy burden.”
“Who’s going to suffer the most? The folks trying to pay their utility bill every month,” he said, pointing out that when he worked in customer operations, customers wanted choices. “Customers, particularly the most vulnerable, increasingly expect choice, control, and transparency in their energy needs and experiences. It is these choices that create affordability for many American households.”
Crews’ perspective on the BEYA Conference theme is that it requires leaders willing to step outside of their ivory towers.
“The only way you can reach commitment is you have to do three things: involve, understand, and commit,” said Crews.
He said leaders must get involved with people at work, get involved with people in their communities, and deepen their understanding of the realities, challenges, and triumphs that people face.
“That’s how you go from credibility to commitment,” said Crews. USBE
Charles Crews, far right, with Southern Star executive leadership, on a visit to London to strengthen partnerships in a major insurance market.
celebrating the ���6 awardees
by CCG Editors editors@ccgmag.com
winnersBEYA 2026
PRESIDENT’S AWARD
Charles C. Crews
Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer
Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline
CAPT. DONNIE COCHRAN
LEGACY AWARD
William Roosevelt Hall III
Project Manager
JF Taylor Inc.
DAVID STEWARD LEGACY AWARD
Andre’ Caldwell
Chief Counsel, Boeing Commercial Airplanes
The Boeing Company
DR. EUGENE M. DELOATCH
LEGACY AWARD
Derrek Butler Dunn, Ph.D.
Dean
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
DR. FREEMAN HRABOWSKI III LEGACY AWARD
Ingrid Y. Padilla, Ph.D.
Professor in Civil Engineering; Advisor to the Chancellor in Research & Innovation
University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez
DR. LYDIA W. THOMAS LEGACY AWARD
Stacy Hobson, Ph.D. Director, Responsible Technologies Research IBM Corporation
LINDA GOODEN LEGACY AWARD
Patrick Cazeau Director, Engineering Technical Development
The Boeing Company
REGINALD VAN LEE LEGACY AWARD
Angela Johnson Culver Vice President, ABM Performance Solutions (APS) SolutioningOperations Support ABM Industries
RODNEY C. ADKINS LEGACY AWARD AWARD
Achille Fokoue-Nkoutche
Distinguished Research Scientist and Research Manager
IBM
STEPHANIE C. HILL
LEGACY AWARD
Jylinda Johnson
Senior Vice President
General Dynamics Information Technology
DEAN’S AWARD
Kofi Nyarko, D.Eng Director, Center for Equitable AI and Machine Learning Systems
Morgan State University
GEM OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNUS
Imani Adams
Graduate Research Fellow Purdue University
GEM OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNUS
Shauna Adams Graduate Research Assistant Purdue University
GEM OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNUS
Shorma Bianca Bailey, Ph.D. Founder & CEO Agriwater Corporation
GEM OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNUS
Shantonio Birch, Ph.D. CEO & Founder ThermoVerse
GEM OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNUS
Alexis Noelli Peña, Ph.D. Co-Founder and CTO Good Fibes
HBCU PRESIDENT'S AWARD
Darrell K. Williams
President
Hampton University
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
George Parker, Ph.D.
Boeing Technical Fellow & Technical Lead Engineer The Boeing Company
STUDENT LEADERSHIP –UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL
Bereket Mego
Undergraduate Student, Biomedical Engineering University of Houston
STUDENT LEADERSHIP –UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL
Nick Miller
Undergraduate Student, Petroleum Engineering University of Houston
VISIONARY AWARD
Adrienne M. Somerville
Deputy Director, Command Operations Group
Naval Air Systems Command
The BEYA STEM Conference has introduced the world to leaders whose achievements expand what is possible. The 2026 class continues that tradition with distinction. These are engineers, innovators, scholars and rising stars whose work strengthens industries, improves communities, and shapes the future of science and technology. Each honoree featured in the following pages represents more than personal accomplishment. They are catalysts for progress who have dedicated themselves to service, mentorship, and building opportunities for others.
This group includes seasoned professionals who have guided complex organizations with clarity and integrity, as well as emerging leaders whose creativity and determination reflect the next generation of potential in STEM. Their contributions span energy, health, national security, education, data, public service, and more. Together, they embody the BEYA 40 theme of moving from credibility to commitment, showing that leadership is measured not only by what you achieve, but by the impact you leave behind.
As you meet this year’s honorees, you will encounter individuals who have opened doors, advanced research, inspired students, and lifted colleagues. Their stories are compelling, their work is significant, and their example reflects the spirit that has defined BEYA for four decades. We invite you to learn more about the 2025 awardees and join us in celebrating the leaders who continue to move this legacy forward.
PRESIDENT’S AWARD
Charles C. Crews
Executive Vice President and Chief Operations
Officer | Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline
With more than 30 years of industry experience, Charles Crews serves as executive vice president and COO at Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, a role he assumed in December 2022. His career includes extensive leadership across the natural gas sector. Before joining Southern Star, he was president and CEO of the Northeast Gas Association. He previously led an independent management consulting firm, advising clients on operations management, capital investment strategies, infrastructure planning, organizational design, and business plan development. Earlier in his career, Crews served as vice president for Consumers Energy, where he led strategy, operations, maintenance, and construction for the company’s natural gas operations division. At Southern Star, he oversees pipeline infrastructure and major operational domains while leading a team of more than 400 employees and managing a $250 million budget. His leadership is noted for its emphasis on integrity, accountability, continuous improvement, and developing high-performing teams. Crews also serves on the executive committee and board of directors of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) Foundation and participates in GTI Energy’s RAISE collaborative, in addition to serving on the board of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation.
charles c. crews
celebrating the ���6 awardees
CAPT. DONNIE COCHRAN LEGACY AWARD
William Roosevelt Hall III
Project Manager
|
JF Taylor Inc.
William R. Hall III is a senior scheduling analyst and project manager supporting multiple government programs at Patuxent River Naval Air Station. With more than 15 years of project controls experience across power generation, oil and gas, pipelines, operations and maintenance, and government sectors, he has developed and managed complex schedules, coordinated integrated master schedule reviews, performed critical path and time-impact analyses, and led teams in high-stakes engineering environments. His background includes leadership roles in combined-cycle, liquefied natural gas, pipeline, and refinery expansion projects, as well as production management and operations planning. Alongside his technical career, Hall has held significant community leadership roles. He has served as president of the St. Mary’s County NAACP Branch #7025 and as treasurer for the NAACP Maryland State Conference, where he supported civil rights initiatives and financial stewardship. He founded Reach Back & Lift 1, a nonprofit providing youth and young adults with training programs, workforce development opportunities, and aviation pathways. He also coleads the Southern Maryland Youth in Aviation Program, which introduces students to aviation careers and supports pilot training. His service includes county planning, economic development, historic preservation boards, and voter-focused community initiatives.
DAVID STEWARD LEGACY AWARD
Andre’ Caldwell
Chief Counsel, Boeing Commercial Airplanes | The Boeing Company
U: B.S., Electrical Engineering, B.S., Mathematics | North Carolina A&T State University
G: M.S., Electrical Engineering, M.S., Mathematics | Virginia Tech
G: M.C.M., Construction Management | Western Carolina University
G: Ph.D., Electrical Engineering | Virginia Tech
Andre’ Caldwell serves as Boeing Commercial Airplanes chief counsel for the recently reacquired wholly owned Spirit Aerosystems, Inc. subsidiary. As the head onsite legal executive, he is responsible for providing day-to-day counsel and advice on all legal matters associated with the various commercial and defense programs executed in Wichita, KS and Tulsa, OK. Immediately prior to assuming this role, Caldwell served as Boeing Defense Space and Security senior counsel for the Executive Transport & Surveillance portfolio responsible for advising on the U.S. and International AWACS, International AEW&C, U.S. Executive Transport, and International Government Heads of State aircraft programs. His 18- year career reflects deep experience across federal prosecution, private practice, and corporate legal leadership. As an assistant United States attorney in the Western District of Oklahoma, he prosecuted hundreds of cases, served as first chair in more than 20 federal jury trials, and was awarded the FBI Director’s Award for Excellence. Afterwards, he went on to become a shareholder at two major law firms, leading national and international practices in white collar criminal defense, corporate compliance, and workplace investigations. Since joining Boeing in 2022, Caldwell has been a trusted adviser to program executives and site leaders, recognized for guiding complex legal decisions and strengthening collaboration across technical and business teams. His achievements have earned multiple honors, including being presented with the 2024 Boeing Law Department Community Service Award and being selected to serve on the Boeing CEO’s Culture Working Group responsible for writing the Boeing Values and Behaviors.
DR. EUGENE M. DELOATCH LEGACY AWARD
Derrek Butler Dunn, Ph.D.
Dean | University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Dr. Derrek Dunn serves as dean and professor at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, where he leads the School of Business, Engineering, Applied Sciences, Technology, and Tourism Management, overseeing wide-ranging academic programs across engineering, business, aviation, computer science, hospitality, and the built environment. His career reflects extensive leadership in higher education, including prior roles as associate vice president for academic administration and graduate studies at Alabama A&M University and professor and chairperson at North Carolina A&T State University. His professional experience includes guiding curriculum development, managing accreditation activities, advancing new degree programs, strengthening research capacity, and expanding partnerships that support student and faculty success. His work also includes service as a reviewer for the American Council on Education, evaluating military education programs for academic credit. Dunn’s academic preparation includes a Ph.D. in electrical engineering, an M.S. in mathematics, and an M.S. in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech; an M.C.M. in construction management from Western Carolina University; and dual bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering and mathematics from North Carolina A&T State University. His record demonstrates a sustained commitment to academic innovation, institutional growth, and the advancement of engineering and STEM education.
derrek butler dunn
U: B.S., Economics & Systems
Military Academy at West Point
G: M.B.A. University of Alabama
andre’ caldwell
U: B.A., Philosophy & Government Wofford College
G: Juris Doctor University of Oklahoma College of Law
william roosevelt hall III
DR. FREEMAN HRABOWSKI III LEGACY AWARD
Ingrid Y. Padilla, Ph.D.
U: B.S., Natural Resources Science & Management
University of Maryland, College Park
G: M.S., Water Resources Science
University of Michigan
G: Ph.D., Hydrology (Subsurface Hydrology & Contaminant Transport)
University of Arizona
Professor in Civil Engineering; Advisor to the Chancellor in Research & Innovation | University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez
Dr. Ingrid Y. Padilla brings more than 25 years of leadership across academic, private, and government sectors, advancing research, education, and strategic institutional growth in hydrology and water resources. As advisor to the chancellor for research, innovation, and creative endeavors at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, she plays a central role in transforming the university’s research ecosystem, strengthening institutional structures, and expanding its research portfolio. She previously served as a program director at the National Science Foundation and as a member of the Navy Research Advisory Committee. Her earlier career includes directing the groundwater office at Greg Morris & Associates and conducting hydrologic investigations with the U.S. Geological Survey. Padilla’s expertise spans contaminant and groundwater hydrology, extreme hydrologic events, and environmental quality, supported by prominent roles in laboratory, field-scale, modeling, and training programs within academic, government, and private settings. She serves in the Executive Committee of the Council of Research for the Association of Public and Land Grant University, and is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America, a Ford Fellow, a board member of the Karst Waters Institute, a board member of the Puerto Rico Medical Device Cluster, and an associate editor of Discover Water. She has been deeply involved in efforts to broaden participation of women and underserved groups in STEM research and education.
DR. LYDIA W. THOMAS LEGACY AWARD
Stacy Hobson, Ph.D.
Director, Responsible Technologies Research | IBM Corporation
Dr. Stacy Hobson is director of responsible technologies research at IBM, where she leads a global organization advancing research on the societal impacts of technology and developing tools and methods that promote responsible technology creation. Her work spans artificial intelligence, generative computing, quantum computing, and neurotechnology, producing more than 35 peer-reviewed publications and eight open-source tools that support responsible innovation. Over her 18-year career at IBM, she has driven research solutions into IBM products, supported client engagements that generated over $1 million in direct research revenue, and influenced an additional $400 million for the company. Her earlier contributions include foundational work in smarter cities, emergency operations, financial risk modeling, and data-sharing architectures for government clients. She previously served as executive technical assistant to IBM’s vice president of AI and quantum computing, coordinating research across 13 global labs and supporting engagements with U.S. government leaders. Hobson is also a dedicated mentor and advocate for broadening participation in STEM, supporting organizations such as Black Girls Code, AI4All, and the National GEM Consortium, and cofounding IBM’s Black Researchers business resource group.
LINDA GOODEN LEGACY AWARD
Patrick Cazeau
G: M.S., Computer Science
Duke University
G: Ph.D., Neuroscience & Cognitive Science University of Maryland, College Park
Director, Engineering Technical Development | The Boeing Company
Patrick Cazeau is the director of engineering technical development for Boeing’s Engineering, Test & Technology organization, where he leads the enterprise strategy for acquiring and developing top engineering talent, overseeing early-career programs, higher-education engagement, external technical affiliations, and the company’s engineering growth and development ecosystem, including the Boeing Technical Fellowship and the Engineering Career Foundation Program. He began his aerospace journey with Boeing in 1994, building a technical foundation in flight sciences, satellite systems, and mission operations before advancing through high-impact leadership roles across test program management for Boeing Verticals, AvionX, and Kent Space Programs. His career includes directing systems verification and test organizations, leading affordability initiatives for the KC-46 Pegasus and 767 product lines, and managing advanced electronics technology development within Boeing Research & Technology. He has also led spacecraft guidance and navigation teams, anomaly investigations, and systems engineering efforts, and served as Boeing Defense, Space & Security’s digital engineering chief engineer, where he drove enterprise deployment of model-based systems engineering environments across defense programs. A long-standing champion for STEM education and diversity, he serves as Boeing’s deputy executive focal and engineering champion for North Carolina A&T State University, supporting joint research, scholarships, curriculum development, and engineering leadership initiatives.
U: B.S., Computer Science South Carolina State University (Summa Cum Laude)
U: B.S., Astronautics & Aerospace Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
ingrid y. padilla
stacy hobson
patrick cazeau
celebrating the ���6 awardees
REGINALD VAN LEE LEGACY AWARD
Angela Johnson Culver
Vice President, ABM Performance Solutions (APS) Solutioning - Operations Support ABM Industries
Angela Johnson Culver is an accomplished engineering and facilities management (FM) executive whose career spans government, military, private, healthcare, manufacturing, education, and commercial sectors. She began her career in manufacturing before joining Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC), where she managed more than $3 billion in base operations support contracts, led project managers and engineers, standardized RFP templates across 89 installations, and delivered emergency response solutions for major disasters. At Sodexo, she introduced total quality management programs in healthcare, implemented engineering process improvement initiatives across dozens of facilities, digitized operational systems, and ultimately pioneered 11 new integrated FM services incorporating safety, sustainability, Internet of Things, robotics, and process innovation for Global 2000 companies. She later founded JAR Engineering & Consulting, delivering FM, industrial engineering, and training services to public and private clients. Today, as vice president of APS Solutioning at ABM Industries, she leads solution development for integrated FM portfolios, achieving a 54 percent win rate and influencing more than $1 billion in pursuits for Global 500 companies. Her leadership also extends to the IFMA Foundation Board of Trustees as chairwoman and multiple higher-education advisory boards, along with keynote speaking, authorship, and international industry contributions.
RODNEY C. ADKINS LEGACY AWARD
Achille Fokoue-Nkoutche
Distinguished Research Scientist and Research Manager | IBM
Achille Fokoue Nkoutche is a distinguished research scientist at IBM Research AI, where he leads the AI Industry Solutions group and has spent 24 years advancing neurosymbolic AI, knowledge representation and reasoning, deep learning, and natural language understanding. His work has shaped solutions across healthcare, life sciences, and asset management, and he now drives IBM’s research agenda for building reliable, transparent asset lifecycle management (ALM) AI agents and accelerating their adoption across IBM’s product portfolio. Fokoue’s innovations include the Scalable Highly Expressive Reasoner, applied in semantic search and clinical trial enrollment, and the Tiresias project, delivered to IBM Watson for drug discovery. Earlier in his career, he developed the DeepQA temporal reasoner for the Jeopardy-winning Watson system, earning an IBM Research Technical Accomplishment Award. He has published more than 50 papers, holds over 50 patents granted or filed, and his research has earned more than 5,800 citations. His contributions have been recognized with the IBM Master Inventor designation, five IBM Technical Accomplishment Awards, and a Best Paper Award at the Extended Semantic Web Conference. Committed to mentorship and community engagement, he supports new IBM inventors and serves as a longtime NAACP ACT-SO computer science judge.
STEPHANIE C. HILL LEGACY AWARD
Jylinda Johnson
Senior Vice President | General Dynamics Information Technology
Jylinda Johnson is the General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) senior vice president for the Federal Civilian Division. In this role, she leads the strategic direction, growth, planning, and performance of teams delivering missioncritical IT solutions, digital modernization, and professional services to federal civilian agencies. In her previous role, she served as a sector vice president and general manager at GDIT, where she and her team partner closely with federal civilian agency leaders to drive digital modernization, enterprise infrastructure, cloud enablement, application development, and global mission-critical support across more than 20 agencies. Johnson is the 2025 American Council for Technology–Industry Advisory Council (ACT-IAC) ImagineNation ELC Conference chair and served as the 2024 industry chair. She was elected vice chair at large on the ACT-IAC Executive Committee in 2023 and appointed to the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African Art Advisory Board in 2024. Prior to joining GDIT in 2018, she held senior leadership roles at SRA International and CSRA and served in the Defense and Maritime Solutions Group at SAIC.
U: B.S.,
U: Bachelor’s
angela johnson culver
achille fokoue-nkoutche
jylinda johnson
DEAN’S AWARD
Kofi Nyarko, D.Eng
Director, Center for Equitable AI and Machine Learning Systems | Morgan State University
Dr. Kofi Nyarko is a tenured professor of electrical and computer engineering at Morgan State University and the founding director of the Center for Equitable Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Systems (CEAMLS). He leads CEAMLS as a multidisciplinary research hub that advances responsible and inclusive AI development, producing more than 25 publications, multiple patents, and several intellectual property disclosures within the last three years. He also directs the Data Engineering and Predictive Analytics Research Lab, where his work spans computer vision, neurosymbolic machine learning, multimodal AI, generative models, and visible light communication. His research connects core AI methods to real-world applications, including unmanned aerial and ground systems for remote sensing, autonomous navigation, infrastructure monitoring, traffic coordination, and building management technologies. Nyarko’s portfolio includes work on AI fairness, cultural representation in foundation models, and responsible AI integration for underserved communities. He serves as chair of the Maryland Responsible AI Council and organizes the International Symposium on Equitable AI. He has received significant research support through projects funded by National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Navy, and other sponsors, and has earned multiple awards recognizing his innovation and leadership. He is also deeply committed to education, curriculum development, and workforce training across AI and machine learning.
GEM OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNUS
Imani Adams
Graduate Research Fellow | Purdue University
Imani N. Adams is a mechanical engineer and researcher whose career spans high-impact national security work at Sandia National Laboratories and current research advancing engineering education at Purdue University. Adams began her career at Sandia in 2011 through the Master’s Fellowship Program, joining full-time as a subsystems and components surety engineer supporting systems, subsystems, and component-level teams responsible for ensuring qualified, safe, and reliable products entered the nation’s nuclear stockpile. She verified design evidence, guided customers through the 6.X Stage Qualification Process, instructed national security quality training courses, and earned multiple recognitions, including Employee Recognition Awards for work on the W88 ALT Telemetry and B61-12 Quality Engineering teams, and the NNSA Defense Programs Award of Excellence. After a decade at Sandia, Adams transitioned to Purdue University to pursue a Ph.D. in engineering education, where her research examines how underrepresented youth engage with engineering across formal and informal learning environments. She contributes to national microelectronics workforce programs through SCALE and SCALE K-12 and leads interdisciplinary teams developing K–12 integrated STEM units focused on introducing microelectronics concepts into classrooms. Across both industry and academia, Adams is also deeply committed to mentorship and community engagement, supporting STEM pathways, graduate student success, and youth development across multiple organizations.
GEM OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNUS
Shauna Adams Graduate Research Assistant | Purdue University
Shauna N. Adams is a mechanical engineer and researcher whose career spans a decade of national security engineering at Sandia National Laboratories and advancing engineering education research at Purdue University. From 2011 to 2021, she served in Sandia’s Surety Engineering Group, providing quality assurance and engineering support to nuclear weapon component and subsystem teams, where she verified requirement validation activities, aligned design and qualification milestones with the 6.X Product Realization Process, and applied Quantification of Margins and Uncertainties methods to support safe, reliable product delivery in the nation’s nuclear deterrence mission. She contributed to failure analysis, defect prevention, additive manufacturing qualification, and instructional development for the National Security Quality Training NQT400/401 courses, training personnel across the Nuclear Security Enterprise. At Purdue, Adams contributes to evaluation and assessment research in the SEED Lab, supporting initiatives such as the Purdue–Ivy Tech READI grant and studies on assessment fairness, bias, and student engagement in semiconductor and microelectronics learning environments. She has served in multiple leadership roles, including president of the Engineering Education Graduate Student Association, and remains deeply committed to mentorship, having guided undergraduate researchers, supported graduate school preparation programs, and engaged hundreds of K–12 students through NSBE Jr. and Sandia’s HMTech STEM outreach initiatives.
kofi nyarko
imani adams
shauna n. adams
celebrating the ���6 awardees
GEM OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNUS
U: B.S., Chemical Engineering
Howard University
G: M.S., Environmental Engineering
University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign
G: Ph.D., Agricultural & Biological Engineering
University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign
Shorma Bianca Bailey, Ph.D.
Founder & CEO | Agriwater Corporation
Dr. Shorma Bianca Bailey is the founder and CEO of Agriwater, an agricultural technology company developing electrolysis-based systems that convert livestock waste into clean water, fertilizer, and new revenue streams for farmers. She conceived and validated Agriwater’s core reactor technology while earning her Ph.D. in agricultural and biological engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, becoming only the second African-American woman in the program’s history to achieve this distinction. After graduating in 2021, Bailey secured funding through the Department of Energy’s Innovation Crossroads program, making Agriwater the first African American-led company selected for this initiative. In partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, she has accelerated the path to commercialization and advanced Agriwater through leading accelerators, including Techstars Water Tech & Sustainability, gBETA AgTech, and HudsonAlpha. Under her leadership, the company has expanded its team, raised nearly $1 million, and earned national recognition for its sustainable wastewater solutions. Bailey previously held engineering roles with the U.S. Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Xylem, Saint-Gobain, ConocoPhillips, and NAVSEA. A White House Champion of Change for Women and Girls in STEM, she is also active in STEM outreach and enjoys sharing her musical talent as a saxophonist.
GEM OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNUS
Shantonio Birch, Ph.D.
CEO & Founder | ThermoVerse
U: B.S., Mechanical Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology
U: Community College Transfer Program, Engineering Perimeter College at Georgia State University
G: M.S., Mechanical Engineering University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
G: Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering — University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Dr. Shantonio Birch is a mechanical engineer, community college faculty, and energy entrepreneur whose work spans advanced materials, thermal energy storage, smart city innovation, and workforce development. He is the founder and CEO of ThermoVerse, an urban innovation startup developing systems that unlock residual heat energy in buildings to support smart city readiness, where he has led prototype development, expanded strategic partnerships, secured patents for the world’s most compact in-unit thermal storage technologies, and raised over $1.2 million in grant funding. Through ThermoVerse, he created FACES—Forging and Advancing Careers in Energy Services—a workforce pipeline that has delivered more than 12,000 hours of on-the-job training to over 30 emerging professionals across Michigan, Tennessee, and New York, supported by universities, national labs, city governments, and industry partners. Birch is also a Department of Energy Innovation Crossroads Fellow and a multi-phase recipient of the DOE’s Lab MATCH Prize, maintaining active collaborations with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and other research institutions to commercialize next-generation thermal storage technologies. His academic work includes peer-reviewed publications in J. Appl. Phys. and J. Mater. Chem. C, with research experiences spanning UC Berkeley, Georgia Tech, and the University of South Florida in flexible electronics, supercapacitors, and organic semiconductors. Birch also holds technical certifications in building science, healthy housing, and lead abatement, and is committed to creating inclusive pathways into clean energy and semiconductor careers.
GEM OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNUS
Alexis Noelli Peña, Ph.D.
Co-Founder and CTO | Good Fibes
U: B.S., Bioengineering Syracuse University (Magna Cum Laude)
G: Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering Johns Hopkins University
G: Graduate Certificate, Food Systems, Environment & Public Health
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
G: Certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship Cornell University (eCornell)
Dr. Alexis N. Peña is a biomedical engineer, entrepreneur, and innovation leader whose work spans biomaterials, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and sustainable materials. As cofounder and CTO of Good Fibes Inc., she develops bio-based performance textiles by leading scientific strategy, multi-institution collaborations, and federally supported R&D. Through the Chain Reaction Innovations program at Argonne National Laboratory, she advances engineered protein fibers designed to replace petroleum-derived textiles and has served as principal investigator on a Department of Energy SBIR Phase I award, gaining expertise in federal funding, technology development, and cross-sector innovation. Peña began her research career at Johns Hopkins, contributing to clinical tissue repair technologies and supporting commercialization efforts at Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures. She has published widely across biomaterials, immunology, alternative proteins, and computational cell biology in journals including Science Advances, PNAS, Advanced Materials, and GeroScience. She also teaches university courses on food technologies and material innovation and leads workshops on academic-to-entrepreneur pathways. Outside the lab, she writes de nuevo, a newsletter exploring wellness, sustainability, and science-informed living. Through her research, entrepreneurship, and public engagement, Peña is committed to advancing responsible biomaterial innovation and expanding participation in biomanufacturing.
shorma bianca bailey
alexis noelli peña
shantonio birch
U: B.A., Psychology Hampton Institute
PG: M.S., Business Management (Logistics) Pennsylvania State University
PG: M.M.A.S. U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
PG: M.S., National Security and Strategic Studies National War College
HBCU PRESIDENT'S AWARD
Darrell K. Williams
President | Hampton University
Darrell K. Williams is the 13th President of Hampton University, assuming the role on July 1, 2022, nearly four decades after graduating from the institution. A retired United States Army Lieutenant General, Williams completed 37 years of military service, culminating as Director of the Defense Logistics Agency, where he led the Department of Defense’s global combat logistics enterprise, managing nine supply chains and a workforce of more than 25,000 military and civilian personnel. His senior leadership experience includes commanding the Combined Arms Support Command and serving in multiple executive roles overseeing logistics, engineering, and security assistance operations across the Indo-Pacific region. Commissioned through the Hampton Institute ROTC program in 1983, Williams brings extensive operational, strategic, and organizational leadership to higher education. As president, he applies his experience in large-scale enterprise management, workforce development, and national service to advancing Hampton University’s mission and long-term institutional excellence.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
George Parker, Ph.D.
Boeing Technical Fellow & Technical Lead Engineer | The Boeing Company
U: B.S., Chemistry
St. Martin’s College, Lacey, WA
G: M.S., Industrial & Business Management University of Washington & ESC Lille, France
Dr. George A. Parker is a Boeing Technical Fellow and technical lead engineer with more than three decades of experience at The Boeing Company, where he has supported programs and capital investments through advanced analytical chemistry, thermal analysis, failure analysis, and materials characterization. He leads a multidisciplinary group in Boeing’s Engineering, Test & Technology organization—often described as the “FBI/CSI of Boeing”—that investigates complex chemical and material issues, including high-visibility cases such as the 787 lithium-ion battery crisis and the Heathrow Ethiopian Airlines 787 inboard fire. Parker has been tasked with setting up a composite analytical chemistry testing laboratory in Boeing Poland for the Air Force AH-64, managing construction of a $6 million STEM lab, expanding laboratory capabilities, and driving cost reduction efforts that saved millions of dollars in calibration and labor spending. Deeply committed to education and workforce development, he created a composite materials program and the Boeing–Edmonds College Educational Experiential Learning Exposure Internship Program, which has placed more than 60 interns into full-time Boeing roles and is recognized nationally as a model for technical industry talent development.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP –
UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL
Bereket Mego
G: Ph.D., Strategy, Programme & Project Management
SKEMA Business School, Lille, France
G: Ph.D. Candidate (5th year), Polymeric Composite Laboratory University of Washington, Seattle, WA
G: M.S., Organic/Analytical Chemistry University of Virginia (Ph.D. program ABD)
Undergraduate Student, Biomedical Engineering | University of Houston
Bereket Mego is a biomedical engineering student at the University of Houston’s Cullen College of Engineering and a National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenge Scholar. He has distinguished himself through leadership, research, and service across the university and greater Houston community. He cofounded and serves as president of the Black Male Engineering Mentoring Network, establishing its structure, expanding mentorship, and hosting events to foster a sense of community for underrepresented students in engineering. The organization operates with a layered mentorship model, connecting undergraduate students with industry professionals, while simultaneously matching upper and underclassmen to create strong webbed networks of support for students. He also cofounded Cougar Consulting Group, a student-run engineering consulting organization, where he serves as vice president and supports undergraduates in gaining early professional experience. Mego has industry experience in R&D Engineering at Boston Scientific, contributing to next-generation technologies in interventional oncology. As a research assistant in the Henderson Research Group, he has coauthored, published, and presented peer-reviewed work on culturally responsive STEM education, supported by an Advancing Science Conference Grant. He previously served as a site coordinator and mentor for the St. Elmo Brady STEM Academy, delivering STEM learning experiences to elementary students. Mego aspires to change the world, one student at a time, by creating community organizations that connect underrepresented children with professionals and university students who were once in their shoes. He aspires to foster an environment where every child can say they know a doctor, engineer, or professor on a deeper level, through mentorship and community engagement. He has stressed the importance of children being able to see themselves reflected in their role models and is excited to make this dream into a reality.
U: B.S., Biomedical Engineering (in progress) University of Houston
george parker
darrell k. williams
celebrating the ���6 awardees
STUDENT LEADERSHIP – UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL
Nick Miller
Undergraduate Student, Petroleum Engineering | University of Houston
VISIONARY AWARD
Adrienne M. Somerville
Deputy Director, Command Operations Group | Naval Air Systems Command
Adrienne M. Somerville serves as Deputy Director of the Command Operations Group at Naval Air Systems Command, where she provides executive direction and oversight across technical and functional command operations. With more than 30 years of federal service, she manages an industrial operations portfolio of approximately $4.4 billion and oversees the work of more than 4,000 personnel across eight national sites. Her leadership spans engineering systems, acquisition, industrial operations, workforce analytics, and financial management, with responsibility for readiness centers, maintenance and repair operations, and large-scale procurement programs. Somerville has led the development and implementation of enterprise-wide workforce frameworks and mobile career development tools supporting more than 37,000 federal employees. Her career includes serving as Chief Advisor on industrial matters, directing depot maintenance strategy, and integrating logistics, engineering, and acquisition processes to improve operational readiness. She has also managed high-dollar, politically sensitive aviation programs and delivered documented cost savings through innovative contracting and acquisition strategies.
Nick Miller is a petroleum engineering student at the University of Houston, where he is also pursuing a minor in energy and sustainability. A first-generation college student from Atlanta, GA, he has distinguished himself through leadership, research, community engagement, and academic achievement. As president of the Black Male Engineering Mentoring Network, he leads scheduling, meetings, communications, and resource sharing that support the academic and personal success of Black engineering students. He also founded a group dedicated to connecting minority students with scholarships, internships, fellowships, and professional opportunities. Miller serves as a research assistant and program coordinator in engineering education, supporting grant proposal review, student recruitment, event planning, and research on Black male engineering students’ experiences, including PhotoVoice studies involving demographic analysis and focus group transcription. His outreach work includes developing K–12 engineering programs, leading design challenge activities, and serving as lead counselor for a two-week residential STEM camp in partnership with NACME. Miller has provided math tutoring services to more than 60 students since 2017 through his mentoring program A(+) for M(A+)TH. His academic and professional development include a first-place solar energy MATLAB project and a BP internship focused on downhole temperature and pressure gauge reliability.
In addition to her operational leadership, Somerville has contributed to workforce transformation, mentoring, and enterprise talent management initiatives within NAVAIR.
U: B.S., Petroleum Engineering (in progress) University of Houston
nick miller
U: Bachelor of Arts Norfolk State University PG: Master of Science Florida Institute of Technology
adrienne m. somerville
celebrating the ���6 awardees
modern-day technology leaders
Highlighting the engineers, scientists, and innovators driving progress across today’s most influential industries
The Modern-Day Technology Leaders honored in this year’s BEYA STEM Conference represent some of the most dedicated and forward-thinking professionals working in science and technology today. They are engineers, analysts, researchers, architects and emerging innovators who strengthen critical industries and help move the nation’s STEM workforce into the future. Their contributions can be seen in aviation, energy, national defense, digital infrastructure, manufacturing, space systems, data science, and many other fields that shape daily life.
This group stands out not only for professional accomplishment, but for the curiosity, resilience, and commitment that define modern leadership. Each honoree has charted a path that reflects both technical expertise and a willingness to take on complex challenges. As you look through this year’s list, you will meet individuals who solve problems that matter, support mission-ready teams, and bring integrity and creativity to the work they do.
These Modern-Day Technology Leaders are the backbone of progress. Their achievements remind us that the future depends on people who are prepared, skilled, and ready to lead with purpose. We are proud to recognize them as part of BEYA’s 40-year tradition of honoring excellence in science and engineering.
ABDI BADE Engineer III Actalent
KARTHIK BHUPATHY Mechanical Engineer Actalent
RYAN CLARK Lead Designer Actalent
GLENN JONES Senior Engineer Actalent
EMILIO TERAN ROBERTO MARTINEZ Electrical Engineer Actalent
TOI ARMSTEAD
Architecture Engineer Agile Missions System Government Reference
JEAN KUBWIMANA, PH.D.
Senior Principal II RF Engineer BAE Systems
MARCUS ROBINSON Field Service Tech IV BAE Systems
MUSIBAU USMAN
Senior Project Manager Baltimore Gas and Electric
KARA BRANCH
DWAYNE ROGERS
Systems Design Engineer II Corning Incorporated
PIERRE-MARIE DEGNI-SEGUI System Requirement Architect, Diagnostics/OBD Cummins Inc
STANFORD OLIVER
Chief Executive Officer DigiFlight, Inc.
PETER BOUTAN Program Director
GDIT
CHANCE GARCIA Help Desk Supervisor GDIT
KOREY GOODE Systems Engineer Senior Principal GDIT
OSCAR GREEN Data Scientist Senior Principal GDIT
LISA JACKSON Director, Office of Small Business GDIT
THOMAS MATTHEWS
LENA TUCKER Senior Engineer Actalent
GIOVANNI ULATE
Transmission Line Engineer Actalent
Chemical Engineer and Founder and CEO Black Girls Do Engineer Corporation
JAMIL BROWN
Product Line Manager Corning Incorporated
STEPHEN JOHNSON Senior Technician Corning Incorporated
KARL DAVIS Systems Administrator Principal GDIT
MO DRAMMEH
Software Developer Principal/MSLS BDSP GDIT
JERRY FEARS
Information Systems Senior Manager GDIT
Software Developer Principal GDIT
ANDRE SAINT-VAL
Network Security Engineer Principal GDIT
JONATHAN SWANN
Senior Video Implementations Manager GDIT
SAMARA
KELLY
ALI
JESSICA
KIRK
LLOYD
ALONDRA
ABDULHAMID ADEBAYO, PH.D. Senior Research Scientist
AMINAT ADEBIYI, PH.D.
Research Staff Member IBM
ALIYAH AWAN
Federal Consultant
IBM
SOLOMON BOUKMAN
Data Scientist IBM
KENDALL BROOKS
Senior Strategy Consultant IBM
SHAYLA IRVING
Complex Project Manager IBM
ERICA NEWMAN
TIERRE EVANS, DIT
Systems Integration Business Analyst,
Staff
Lockheed Martin
ALIYAH GIBBS
Senior AI Research Engineer
Lockheed Martin
AKHIL BHATTAR
Network Engineer III
MidAmerican Energy Company
ANDRE PORTER
Senior Program Officer
National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine
CLAUDE COHEN
Staff Electrical Engineer
Oceaneering International, Inc.
JEANAE CLARK
Associate Data Scientist
Pepco Holdings Inc.
KEVIN HUGHLEY
Senior Applications Business Analyst Pepco Holdings Inc.
ASSIATU JALLOH
General Engineer
Pepco Holdings Inc.
ABDULRAHMAN KARGBO
Manager DER Engineering Pepco Holdings Inc.
THOMAS MASON, JR.
Lead Apparatus Tester NERC Pepco Holdings Inc.
DANIELLE POWELL
Manager of Testing & Commissioning Engineering Pepco Holdings Inc.
JAMES SMALLWOOD
Senior Area Operator/Cadre Pepco Holdings Inc.
TISHAWN GAYNOR
Process Improvement & Operations
CHARLES NELOMS
Electrical Systems Supervisor
United States Air Force
TSAKANI NGOMANE, PH.D.
Cooperative Extension Administrator
University of the District of Columbia
ESTHER OSOSANYA, PH.D.
Professor of Electrical Engineering
University of the District of Columbia
KIANTE BUSH
CEO & Founder Venture for THEM
MILES PARKER
Staff Flight Test Engineer
WISK AERO
STEPHANIE BASKIN
Instrumentation Engineer
Wood
DYLAN AUPETIT
Senior Global Partner Manager
World Wide Technology
Charanya Chandrasekaran
Lead Data Scientist
World Wide Technology
AVA CLAY
Team Lead - Sales Operations
World Wide Technology
KATE COLLINS
Data Scientist
World Wide Technology
SHELDON FOGARTY
Senior Consulting Systems Engineer
World Wide Technology
WES HENDERSON
AI Specialist
World Wide Technology
KENDRA MACK
Manager, Global Employee Experience World Wide Technology
ZAIMA MAZUMDAR
ARLEN
Senior Consultant IBM
CHARLES ROYAL, JR.
Associate Partner
IBM
ZIDANE WRIGHT
Research Software Engineer
IBM
T. ADRIAN HILL
Software Engineer
Johns Hopkins Applied Physics
Laboratory
MICHELLE HUDSON
Space Systems Engineer
Johns Hopkins Applied Physics
RTX - Pratt & Whitney
ANKUR KHARE
Digital Adoption Expert - Senior Solution Advisor
SAP America Inc.
KAYLA BROUSSARD
Quality Systems Specialist
The Boeing Company
ASHLEE GREEN
Digital Tech Ops Strategy Execution
Leader
The Boeing Company
TARA HENRY
Quality Manager
The Boeing Company
Engagement Manager World Wide Technology
SANIL MHATRE
IT Manager - AI
World Wide Technology
REGINALD MOORE
Senior Consulting Systems Engineer
World Wide Technology
RACHAEL PLATT
Lead Solutions Architect
World Wide Technology
CHANDI THIEL
Technical Solutions Architect
World Wide Technology
WILLIAM TREADWAY
Laboratory
JASMINE HARRIS
Associate Manager, Manufacturing Engineering
L3Harris
JACKSON MCKISSICK
Electrical Design & Analysis Engineer
The Boeing Company
AKHIRA WATSON, PH.D.
Senior Project Manager
UL Standards and Engagement
IT Manager
World Wide Technology
science spectrum trailblazers: honoring excellence in innovation
A distinguished cohort of scientists and engineers advancing critical research, safeguarding systems, and inspiring the next generation
The Science Spectrum Trailblazers honored this year represent a powerful and dynamic group of professionals who are pushing the boundaries of science, research, and innovation. These individuals are charting new directions in fields that influence national defense, data science, biotechnology, manufacturing, cyber security, and advanced engineering. Their work reflects deep expertise and a willingness to explore new terrain, and it also speaks to the curiosity and determination that fuel scientific progress.
This year’s Trailblazers include researchers developing nextgeneration systems, engineers improving the safety and reliability of critical technology, scientists advancing discovery across disciplines, and innovators who are applying STEM knowledge to strengthen communities and global industries. They bring insight, passion, and discipline to roles that shape the technologies we rely on every day. Together, they reflect the spirit of exploration and leadership that defines the Science Spectrum tradition.
As you read through this list, you will meet individuals who are not only solving problems, but also expanding our understanding of what science can do. Their achievements offer a glimpse into the future and remind us that trailblazing often begins with a single question pursued with purpose. These honorees stand at the forefront of STEM excellence, and we are proud to recognize their impact in this 40th anniversary edition of BEYA.
JUSTIN DESHONG
Computer Scientist Air Force- Air Combat Command
SAMUEL JEFFERSON, III
Staff Engineer
Bell Textron Inc.
RAGHUNANDAN GURUMURTHY
Director of North America Operations Crossover Solutions
KRYSHAWNA BEARD, PH.D.
Ph.D./Scientist Senior/ Senior Research
Program Analyst
GDIT
LINDA HALSELL
IAM Security Specialist
General Dynamics Mission Systems
DATASHA WRIGHTS
Senior Principal Systems Engineer
General Dynamics Mission Systems
JASMINE ALBERT
Full Stack Application Developer
IBM
ALI DUALE, PH.D.
Senior Technical Staff Member
IBM
FAEZEH GHOLAMI, PH.D.
Senior Technical Staff Member
IBM
TYLER BROWN
Associate Manager
L3Harris
MICHAEL SAIKI, D.ENG.
Senior Principal Systems Engineer Northrop Grumman Corporation
JAMES SMALLS
Senior Principal Flight Safety Engineer
Northrop Grumman Corporation
ANTHONY OGBAKA, FIMC, FCISN Founder/CEO Novelle Center
JOLLY EHIABHI
Smart Factory System and application
Engineering Manager Otis Elevator Company
O’TERRAL BROWN
Manufacturing Engineer Royal Switchgear
VERONICA KURKA
Microbiologist, STEM Director State of Alaska, CreaLatinX
KIA SMITH
Regional Ops Supplier Quality Manager
The Boeing Company
AMAKA CHIDERE
Founder Thefinancemuse
GAURAV MITTAL
Data Science Manager
Thermofisher, Independent Volunteer
SHAIK ZAINUDDIN
Professor of Materials Science Engineering
Tuskegee University
ELIZABETH SMITH
Senior Program Manager
UL Research Institutes
by Gale Horton Gay
at
excellence and leadership a long arc of
By Lango Deen
HOW FOUR DECADES OF BEYA HONOREES HAVE SHAPED STEM, NATIONAL POLICY, AND AMERICA’S INNOVATION LANDSCAPE
for 40 years, the influence of BEYA winners has extended far beyond their achievements. BEYA winners have made strides in areas like highperformance computing, supporting national security through their developments in space research, automotive technologies, and defense logistics, as well as renewable energy solutions integrated with the existing grid. As they shape science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) policies, they advocate for increased participation in these fields.
Theodore Colbert, the former executive vice president of The Boeing Company and former president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, emphasizes that BEYA cannot afford to rest on its accomplishments.
With BEYA’s proven track record of uniting leaders across various fields, he sees potential collaborations with organizations like the National Technical Association, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Colbert also expresses hope that organizations founded in the 1970s—such as the Society of Chicanos/ Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (1973), the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (1974), the National Society of Black Engineers (1975), and the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (1977)—will join these efforts. He believes that developing a strategy to scale these initiatives will be vital for the future of engineering.
In 1987, when John Brooks Slaughter (1934–2023) took home the top award at the BEYA Conference, the landscape for African-
American engineers was quite different. There were about 32,000 among a total of 1.6 million engineers across the United States. Eugene DeLoatch, cofounder of the BEYA Conference and a retired dean from Morgan State University, shared in a 2016 interview with USBE Magazine that this scarcity wasn’t a reflection of a lack of talent or capability but stemmed from the evolving dynamics of the engineering field itself.
The engineering deans at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are essential in BEYA’s narrative. The annual event focuses on enhancing access to STEM education, preparing students to tackle real-world challenges while elevating the presence of engineers and scientists through internships, fellowships, and job pathways. BEYA seeks to embody a vital connection between the rich HBCU heritage and innovation, ensuring that students are equipped to pursue careers in technical disciplines.
PEER RECOGNITION
Many past award recipients at BEYA have garnered recognition from organizations like the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). The NAE recognizes their contributions in fields that span from innovating digital sampled data control systems to advancements in personal computing and developing a range of computer products, from personal devices to supercomputers. Additionally, BEYA’s NAE honorees have earned accolades for work in industrial research, education, and founding
the International Nuclear Regulators Association, alongside contributions in petrochemical research. Their leadership extends across diverse domains, including the engineering and integration of national space intelligence systems, advancements in industrial operational technologies, innovative applications of digital data analytics and the Internet of Things, as well as enhancing cyber security within aerospace and defense frameworks.
“BEING A STEWARD OF BEYA MEANS SHOWING UP—IN CLASSROOMS, BOARDROOMS, AND COMMUNITIES WHERE YOUNG TALENT IS BEING SHAPED.” — LINDA GOODEN
Erroll B. Davis Jr. shared with USBE Magazine his pride in being one of the first recipients of the top award at the BEYA STEM Conference. Davis said BEYA’s recognition underscores the importance of paving the way for future generations. In 2024, Davis served as chair of the National Academy of Engineering. The same year, Ken Washington, BEYA’s top award winner, was elected to the NAE. Washington’s work includes overseeing the development of technology strategies, leading research and development teams, and spearheading projects like prototyping the F-150 Lightning at Ford and the Near Infrared Camera for the James Webb Space Telescope at Lockheed Martin.
In 1988, when Davis was recognized with a top award at BEYA for making history as the first Black executive of a major utility company, Navy aviator Capt. Donnie Cochran was flying high as the
first AfricanAmerican commander and flight leader of the Blue Angels, the United States Navy's Flight Demonstration Squadron. Cochran
was honored with induction into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame in 2022. Following receipt of the top award at BEYA, Walt Braithwaite played a pivotal role in Boeing's Africa strategy, later serving as president of Boeing Africa. In 2017, he received the Pathfinder Award at Seattle’s Museum of Flight for his impact on the aerospace sector in the Pacific.
Within the BEYA community, apprenticeships have long been promoted as a practical alternative to a traditional university degree, providing both on-the-job experience and a nationally recognized qualification upon completion.
From a young age, Braithwaite knew he wanted to forge a path in the world of machines. He gained handson experience through an apprenticeship at a local maritime machine shop and broadened his knowledge of diesel engineering through a correspondence course. As a teenager, his family's move to England opened new opportunities. He attended a technical college there while he also pursued a certificate in mechanical engineering. Braithwaite eventually made his way to Chicago, IL. In 1965, he earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the American Institute of Engineering and Technology.
MATH. DATA. CODER
After graduating as a math teacher at Youngstown State University, Linda Gooden joined the fledgling tech industry to write embedded software for General Dynamics in San Diego, CA. For much of her career, Gooden was in the aerospace and defense sector. Two decades after receiving the top award at BEYA, she is still amplifying issues about STEM readiness and access to opportunity. As chair of the Board of Regents for the University
System of Maryland, which oversees 15 public higher education institutions, Gooden has supported scholarship initiatives and worked with partners to strengthen the STEM pipeline from early education through career advancement.
“Being a steward of BEYA means showing up, not just at ceremonies, but in classrooms, boardrooms, and communities where young talent is being shaped. It means being accessible, sharing lessons learned, and ensuring every door opened for me stays open for others,” Gooden said.
Rodney C. Adkins, author of Curiosity Redefines the Limits: Advantages Gained from Life, the Workplace, and the Boardroom, is an active participant in developing talent ready for the 21st-century workforce. He has established endowed scholarships for students focused on STEM with several universities and is a member of the NAE in several studies.
“Leadership is about habits you build, risks you take,” Adkins added. “It is not exercised in a moment—it requires practice and is a lifestyle.”
No doubt about it, BEYA has made strides in bridging the gap between communities and technology, and Christopher T. Jones would agree. His journey was shaped by a timely scholarship from the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), which enabled him to complete college, a debt he has since repaid. Jones also pays it forward with the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME), which annually awards over $5 million in scholarships, supporting approximately 1,000 engineering and computer science students.
Over the years, Jones has donated far more than he received, acknowledging the critical role that organizations such as NSBE, NACME, and BEYA played in his education and career. He considers this generosity part of professional life. Jones, who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1986 to 2012 while building a successful civilian career in the defense industry, wants to connect the impactful work of award winners in BEYA to consolidate resources and foster a continuous growth of engineering capacity.
‘FOSTERING CONTINUOUS GROWTH’
In 2023, the National Academy of Sciences awarded its Public Welfare Medal to Freeman A. Hrabowski for his outstanding leadership in transforming U.S. science education and increasing cultural diversity within the science workforce. This medal, established in 1914, is presented annually to honor extraordinary contributions to the public good through science.
In 2022, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) invested $1.5 billion in the Freeman Hrabowski Scholars Program, which aims to support diversity in science. Each participant will receive $1 million per year for 10 years, empowering them to compete for positions as Howard Hughes Investigators. These individuals will focus on broadening access to scientific opportunities and will be supported as they pursue careers in academia at research institutions within STEM fields.
In an interview with USBE in the fall of 2025, Hrabowski— an iconic mathematician, educator, and advocate for higher education—expressed gratitude for the recognition of his work in STEM education
at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), particularly through the Meyerhoff Scholars Program. He pointed out that while diversity is frequently discussed in higher education, tangible progress in this area has been limited. For example, there remains minimal representation of people of color on the faculties of engineering colleges and research universities, a situation that is also evident in mathematics and other sciences like physics, despite claims of progress in STEM fields. Although there has been an increase in chief diversity officers, this has not led to a corresponding rise in diverse faculty members to serve as educators and role models for students.
Hrabowski emphasizes that more efforts are needed to ensure communities select individuals who understand that America
“THIS IS THE ESSENCE OF BEYA: DOING WHAT IS RIGHT WITH VISION AND HOPE FOR EVERYONE.” —
FREEMAN A. HRABOWSKI
cannot reach its full potential without representation from all sectors of society in policymaking decisions and elected positions. It is equally important to recognize the significance of science and engineering for the future of America and humanity. This notion underscores the enduring theme of BEYA and illustrates the possibilities that arise when people unite to tackle challenges.
"This is the essence of BEYA: doing what is right with vision and hope for everyone," he stated. “We believe in the power of science and engineering and acknowledge the importance of investing in these fields. This is what BEYA stands for: bringing together individuals from
diverse backgrounds and fostering investments in science and engineering. Despite its flaws, our nation has achieved greatness through investments in its people, science, and engineering.”
BEYA NOTES
Arlington W. Carter (March 13, 1933–May 28, 2025), an electrical engineer by training, spent his career promoting the progression of Boeing professionals. Carter served as vice president for continuous quality improvement before retiring in 1998, twenty years after becoming the first African American to join Boeing’s executive management team.
Guion “Guy” Bluford made history as the first African American to journey into space with NASA. A U.S. Air Force officer and veteran fighter pilot, Bluford logged over 688 hours in space.
In 2021, a building at Innovation Park at Penn State University was named after him, housing a facility that fosters research and development in additive manufacturing systems critical for academic, government, and industry projects.
Arnold Stancell was instrumental in marketing a plastic film alternative to cellophane. He was recognized at BEYA 1992 and selected as a member of the National Academy of Engineering in 1997. Stancell collaborated with the U.S. Department of the Interior after the 2010 BP oil spill and was appointed to the National Science Board in 2011.
James W. Mitchell was named the 1993 Black Engineer of the Year for his contributions to analytical chemistry and materials engineering. He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1989 and retired as the David and Lucille Packard Professor of Materials Science at Howard University.
William R. Wiley (1931–1996) was a trailblazing laboratory executive as well as a member of civic and
“LEADERSHIP IS ABOUT HABITS YOU BUILD, RISKS YOU TAKE. IT IS NOT EXERCISED IN A MOMENT—IT REQUIRES PRACTICE AND IS A LIFESTYLE.” — RODNEY ADKINS
educational organizations. Wiley was a lifelong believer in the ability of research to drive development and, through it, change people's lives. He joined the Battelle Pacific Northwest National Laboratory as a research scientist in 1969 and rose to become director of research and director of the laboratory.
Albert J. Edmonds, who retired as a U.S. Air Force lieutenant general in 1997, dedicated his post-military career to leading a service-disabled veteran-owned small business that provides logistical support to the U.S. government.
Arthur N. Johnson contributed years of senior leadership experience in the information technology and defense industries. Before Lockheed Martin, Johnson served as president and chief operating officer of IBM Federal Systems before the sale to Loral and subsequent merger with Lockheed Martin.
Retired Lt. Gen. Joe N. Ballard commands respect as a former U.S. Army officer and Vietnam War veteran who made history as chief of engineers in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Since his retirement in 2000, the Joe and Tessie Ballard Scholarship Fund at the University of Missouri-Rolla has opened doors for many students aspiring to earn engineering degrees, inspiring hope for those who might otherwise struggle to find their way.
Paul Caldwell’s technological achievements in the energy industry resulted in patents and corporate posts on four continents. Caldwell retired as chairman/managing director of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited.
Mark E. Dean is famous for being a cocreator of the original IBM Personal Computer in 1981 and for his pivotal role in developing the Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, which is still used on many computers today. He also helped invent the first color PC monitor and led the
team that developed the first gigahertz processor chip, and because of his numerous
innovations, he was the first Black person to be named an IBM Fellow.
Shirley Ann Jackson is best known for her research in theoretical physics at AT&T Bell Laboratories in the 1970s. Her work in condensed matter physics was pivotal to advancements in semiconductors, which power many electronic devices, and laid the groundwork for technologies like the touch-tone telephone, caller ID, and fiber optics. She is also recognized for her historic career as the first African-American woman to earn a Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and as the first woman and first African American to chair the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Rodney O’Neal is known for his career in the automotive industry. He is recognized for leading Delphi Automotive through bankruptcy and its subsequent transformation into a more profitable and globally diversified entity.
Lydia W. Thomas made strides in sustainability, notably initiating the annual sustainability report in her
role as president and CEO of a nonprofit organization that championed science and technology at all levels of government. At MITRE Corporation, she was the first African-American woman to become a senior vice president.
Anthony James was appointed to the position of president and CEO of Savannah Electric on May 1, 2001, after having served as vice president of power generation and senior production officer. He also served as manager of several power plants.
At Parsons Brinkerhoff, William D. Smith served as president of its transportation infrastructure arm. His success is noted for being achieved through the repair of business relationships and driving business growth within the company.
Reginald Van Lee is the coauthor of the book, Megacommunities
- How Leaders of Government, Business and Non-Profits Can Tackle Today's Global Challenges Together. Born in Houston, TX, Van Lee attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he received his bachelor's and Master of Science degrees.
Wanda Austin also broke new ground by becoming the first female president and CEO of The Aerospace Corporation. Austin is internationally recognized for her work in aeronautics and systems engineering. She is the cofounder of a systems engineering and leadership development consultancy.
John D. Harris is known for his long career at Raytheon, where he rose to become the CEO of Raytheon International, Inc., a position he held until his retirement in 2020. During his 35-year tenure, he was responsible for global sales, government relations, operations, and developing business strategy. He also held other executive roles, including president of Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC and general manager of Raytheon's Intelligence, Information & Services business unit.
Lloyd Howell is the 2011 Black Engineer of the Year and a former executive vice president at Booz Allen Hamilton.
David L. Steward is known for cofounding and leading World Wide Technology (WWT), a major IT systems integrator and supply chain solutions provider. He is also recognized as one of the wealthiest Black men in America, an active philanthropist through the Steward Family Foundation, and a minority owner of the St. Louis Blues hockey team.
Stephanie C. Hill has had a long career at Lockheed Martin. She is the president of Rotary & Mission Systems.
Ed Welburn was once the highest-ranking Black executive in the global automotive industry. He retired in 2016 after 44 years.
Alicia Boler Davis has been the president of Ford Pro since October 2025. Before joining Ford Pro, she served as CEO of Alto Pharmacy, LLC since 2022, and in leadership roles at Amazon.com, Inc. and General Motors.
Anthony "Tony" Mitchell was an executive in the defense and intelligence sector at Booz Allen Hamilton. He had a long career in consulting, government, and technology, with roles at other
companies like CAES and Honeywell. His career includes expertise in strategic development, business growth, and technology within the aerospace and defense industries.
Retired Lieutenant General Bruce T. Crawford has over 36 years of leadership, executive management, national security, digital transformation, and cyber security experience.
At IBM, Colin Parris led the commercialization of the Blue Gene program, contributing to the development of a supercomputer that can unravel the mysteries of the human genome.
At GE, his Digital Twin Initiative combines principles of physics with the AI capabilities of a neural network, emulating the structure of a human brain. Parris reportedly called it a “living, learning model” that constantly updates its recommendations for how a specific piece of complex machinery should be used and maintained.
Major General Ronald Johnson (Ret.) commanded the division responsible for the $18 billion reconstruction program in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom and rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Katrina. After retiring from the Army, Johnson became the National Basketball Association's (NBA) first senior vice president of referee operations, where he was responsible for the recruitment, training, development, and integrity of all professional officiating for the NBA, WNBA, and NBA D-League. USBE
by CCG Editors editors@ccgmag.com
Generation Next: The Innovators Shaping Tomorrow
Meet the BEYA40 honorees turning bold ideas, breakthrough research, and lived experience into solutions for a changing world
Harriet Tubman’s inspirational quote about having strength, patience, and the passion to change the world is often used to motivate young people.
Recently, USBE Magazine asked five award winners to tell us what they are doing to make the world a better place.
For a college senior, Bereket Mego exudes extraordinary confidence about the future, his place in the future, and his ability to achieve his goal of changing the world.
Mego, a biomedical engineering senior who anticipates graduating from the University of Houston in May 2026, has a very specific vision of his future:
• Working in the medical device industry as an R&D engineer, designing minimally invasive ways to treat cancer
• Increasing underrepresented minority representation in engineering through community involvement
• Volunteering as a mentor and teacher of extracurricular STEM programs at elementary schools with populations from underrepresented backgrounds
• Starting a program in the Houston area to connect undergraduate and professional engineers with pre-college students, ensuring that every underrepresented student in the community can say that they personally know an engineer
“I am inspired to pursue my dreams by the genuine belief that I can change the world,” said Mego, who is a 2026 BEYA Student Leadership honoree. “I am grateful to be surrounded by mentors who empower and instill this belief in me…. It is my goal to create structures that will give students access to the same resources and people that have allowed me to flourish into the individual that I am today.”
Mego said he’s motivated to keep “reaching for the stars by the people I interact with when mentoring or teaching. There is nothing more special than seeing someone grow in their confidence, and seeing someone believe that they can not only do something but excel in doing something. Sometimes they just need someone to be there with them as they go through their journey.”
Since she was 15, attending a Girls Inc. after-school program, Bianca Bailey has been driven by the idea of changing the world. Agriwater, a company she started in 2020, might very well do that.
“While studying agricultural engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, I visited a dairy farm and encountered
“I am inspired to pursue my dreams by the genuine belief that I can change the world.” — Bereket Mego
Bereket Mego
a problem I couldn’t ignore—massive pools of untreated animal manure,” states Bailey in an email response. “The strong odor from a large brown lagoon caught my attention, and when I asked the farmer about it, he jokingly called it the smell of money. Then, in a more serious tone, he explained the reality: toxic greenhouse gases, costly environmental fines, and the risk of pollution killing aquatic life if the waste wasn’t properly managed.
“Determined to find a solution, I dove into research and spent countless hours studying manure treatment. I discovered a technique using electrical current to separate clean water from liquid dairy cow manure. With the support of my Ph.D. advisor, I built a prototype—but early tests failed.
One night, before heading home, I adjusted an experimental parameter.
The next morning, to my amazement, the water was clear.
Overcome with excitement, I jumped up and down in the lab shouting, ‘It worked! It worked!’”
During COVID, that breakthrough became the foundation of Agriwater. With early
“It’s been demanding, but deeply worth it.” — Bianca Bailey
support from the iVenture Accelerator at UIUC, she launched the company. After earning her Ph.D. in biological engineering at the University of Illinois, she secured funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Innovation Crossroads Program and Oak Ridge National Laboratory to commercialize the technology.
Today, Agriwater is backed by the Department of Energy, a US Bank grant, an angel investor, HBCUvc, Techstars, and the AgTech gBETA program of gener8tor. That support helped her move from an idea in the lab to a growing company. “Since launch, we’ve raised nearly a million dollars, expanded our team, and won multiple awards,” she said.
Asked what’s led to her success, Bailey explained, “A whole lot of prayer! Seriously, I’ve sacrificed sleep, relationships, financial security, and a traditional, predictable career path. I’ve missed social events, moved between states, and poured nearly all of my time, energy, and creativity into turning this idea into a real solution for farmers and the environment. It’s been demanding, but deeply worth it. I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
The best ideas often come from personal experiences. Such is the case with ThermoVerse, an urban innovation startup headquartered in Detroit, MI, that’s pioneering compact, in-unit active thermal storage technology—essentially a rechargeable battery for heat—designed to address a cross-disciplinary challenge that has slowed the U.S. retrofit market for decades, according to its creator, Shantonio Birch.
Bianca Bailey
The idea blossomed for Birch during the COVID shelter-inplace order when he was experiencing “heat stress.”
“Since then, the idea has matured, taking into account the retrofitting realities of building owners, utilities, and contractors who are now facing the constraints of a rapidly evolving energy sector driven by high energy demands from AI data centers, advanced manufacturing, and micromobility,” said Birch.
ThermoVerse has been in development for three and a half years.
“The initial research and prototyping took about a year, followed by collaborative research with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Building Technologies Research and Integration Center via the Innovation Crossroads Program.
“The biggest sacrifice for me was financial and personal stability,” Birch said. “I bootstrapped the company for the first year, using just shy of $1,500 before being awarded grant funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to work collaboratively with staff scientists at ORNL,” he said. “This meant living very leanly, even after receiving grant funding, since it was instrumental for me to leverage personal funds to build the stellar team behind our flagship product, known as LATCHESTM (Large-Area Transactive Cooling and Heat Energy Storage).”
Birch is motivated by twin goals: reducing the massive carbon footprint and building generational wealth.
“What keeps me motivated today is the measurable impact we will have on our customers’ bottom line. Every time we are put in a position to help a client reduce their HVAC energy burden is a validation of our goal to reduce tens of megawatt hours of heating and cooling demand on the grid while making buildings grid-ready for future smart city expansion,” said Birch. “Equally motivating is leading a diverse team of brilliant engineers who are dominating
in highly sophisticated, deep-tech verticals.
Shauna Adams is a Ph.D. candidate in engineering education at Purdue University with completion in her sights for fall 2026.
“Post-graduation, I plan to pursue opportunities in the private or government sectors that allow me to leverage my skills in applied research, design and production validation, requirements management, and cross-functional communication,” Adams said. “My goal is to support project teams in delivering reliable, datadriven solutions that enable high-impact, mission-focused work.” Adams is optimistic about the future and her dreams.
“I am a person of faith and believe all things work together for the things you have been purposed to complete,” she said. “With the understanding that setbacks and detours are growth opportunities and success is rarely linear, I trust that I am equipped with the skills, perseverance, and mindset to achieve my goals. I have a support system of family, friends, and mentors who freely share their wisdom and provide encouragement throughout this journey.”
As for what motivates Adams, she points to the reverence of the past and the anticipation of the future.
“I am aware I stand on the shoulders of generations before me,” said Adams. “Many have fought, sacrificed, endured, and achieved things despite, laying the foundation for the opportunities, experiences, and reality I live today. With that knowledge, I pursue my own goals and dreams, excited for the contributions I am making and the small impact the pursuit of my dreams may have on people coming behind me, especially my family members.”
Shauna Adams
Shantonio Birch
LEADERSHIP
REDEFINING FOR A NEW STEM ERA
Young BEYA Visionaries Share What It Means to Lead with Clarity, Courage, and Community
by Gale Horton Gay
To explore leadership and the qualities of good leaders, USBE Magazine turned to several BEYA 2026 GEM Outstanding Young Alumnus and Student Leadership award winners for their perspective. Their revealing answers are thoughtful, insightful, and shed light on the thinking of the new generation of leaders.
SHANTONIO BIRCH, PH.D
CEO & Founder, ThermoVerse
“A leader's main job is to remove roadblocks and create clarity.”
“I define leadership not as the authority to command, but as the responsibility to create an environment where others can operate at their highest potential and believe in a shared, audacious goal like the ones we’ve set for ourselves at ThermoVerse,” said Shantonio Birch, creator of ThermoVerse, an urban innovation startup that’s pioneering compact, in-unit active thermal storage technology. “A leader's main job is to remove roadblocks and create clarity. This is why we lead with our core values at ThermoVerse: FAITHE— Foundational excellence, Agency, Intentional collaboration, Transparency, Horizon, and Equity (relational). This acronym blends the concepts of ‘fate’ and ‘faith,’ symbolizing a path shaped by unwavering effort, resilience, and unconventional thinking.”
Asked if he’s a leader, Birch said he considers himself a “facilitator of one’s lived experience,” citing the following key ways:
• As a technical direction setter, establishing the core technical vision for his company, “ensuring our focus remains scientifically sound…”
• As a culture catalyst, instilling a culture of “relentless curiosity, rigorous quality, accountability, and care, ensuring diverse
perspectives are sought out and valued.”
• As a community example, actively mentoring and creating “opportunities for younger Black and Brown engineers and entrepreneurs, using our success to expand the pipeline for future Black excellence in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).”
BIANCA BAILEY, PH.D.
Founder & CEO, Agriwater Corp.
Bianca Bailey’s view of leadership is that it is synonymous with sacrifice.
“There is always someone who becomes, in a sense, the ‘sacrificial anode’—the person who wears themselves out chipping away at a vision long before it makes sense to anyone else,” said Bailey. “A leader is willing to miss the party, go home early from social events, and keep working through the night because they believe in a purpose that only they can see clearly.”
Bailey, who started her company Agriwater in 2020, said leadership is about courage and initiative, specifically “taking bold chances, standing your ground, and creating opportunities where none seem to exist. A good leader doesn’t just walk through open doors—they build new doors for others.”
“For example, I’m a GEM Fellow today because I refused to accept ‘no’ as the final answer. As a hungry Howard University chemical
Shantonio Birch
engineering student, I actively recruited my own company, SaintGobain, to the GEM program, convinced this global company to participate, and thanks to them, they sponsored me to complete my master’s in environmental engineering at UIUC, a gateway to completing my Ph.D. in agricultural and biological engineering…. All these experiences taught me that real leaders don’t wait for systems to include them—they redesign the system and bring others along.”
Bailey considers herself a leader in many dimensions of her life.
“As a saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist, I represent Black women in music and artistic spaces where we are still underrepresented. As an inventor, author, and AgTech CEO, I am often the only Black woman—or one of very few—in the room. I carry that responsibility with pride and intention.
“A leader is willing to miss the party, go home early from social events, and keep working through the night because they believe in a purpose that only they can see clearly.” — Bianca Bailey
“I’m also a leader in my family—as a daughter, sister, cousin, and emerging matriarch. I discovered my family’s lineage, and that has opened up opportunities in West Africa. Last year, with the help of my team, we took adults and youth to Ghana to experience business and agriculture in Africa. I strive to model what it looks like to walk in your purpose, even when the path is unconventional. I believe I’m a leader because I help others realize their purpose by fully living my own. When people see me build a company, earn a Ph.D., play music, or mentor youth, they start to see new possibilities for themselves.”
“Leadership is a striking a balance between empathy and direction.”
Cofounder, Black Male Engineering Mentoring Network
Senior biomedical engineer student, University of Houston
Bereket Mego said leadership is striking a balance between empathy and direction.
“Empathy is an essential part of being a great leader,” said Mego. “It is understanding the unique skill set and background of your team members and showing them grace. At the same time, it is essential to hold your team to high expectations, which can be set by example and by ensuring that systems are outlined to encourage proactivity and excellence. The direction of the team must also be set with laser focus. This allows space for difficult conversations and decisions since it is understood by the whole team that there is a bigger picture that is being worked toward.”
Mego said that as a leader, he works collaboratively with the teams he’s a part of to achieve a greater goal.
“It is about the bigger picture that the team is trying to paint. My role is to give the team the tools to achieve our goals and to encourage growth and personal development. My greatest strength as a leader is my ability to empathize with fellow team members by giving grace when needed and encouragement at other times. I also push every member to move with integrity and honesty. If we are trying to build something impactful, we need to ensure that we are holding each other to high expectations and providing support to reach these expectations.”
USBE
BEREKET MEGO
SHANTONIO BIRCH, PH.D
BIANCA BAILEY, PH.D.
BEREKET MEGO
—
Bereket Mego
by Juan Gomez editors@ccgmag.com
NEW ETHICS OF ENGINEERING
Why Versatility, Judgment, and Human Impact Now Matter as Much as Technical Mastery
When should technology stop being a marvel and become responsive to humanity? Are engineers just builders or custodians?
One of the oldest debates in technology has been about
the use and the consequences of what we invent. Every generation invents new tools, but also raises new questions. Do inventions serve humanity, protect people, or quietly replace them?
As technology grows more embedded with human activities (after all, that is why we created it), the mere act of “creating” a new device, a new system, or even an entire network carries an implicit duty: to deliver ethically based technologies that not only improve lives but also protect them. Therefore, engineers become custodians of the trust placed in them by humankind.
OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS, BEYA HAS TAUGHT US THAT PROGRESS WITHOUT RESPONSIBILITY IS JUST ACCELERATION.
The Future Landscape
The next 40 years will become the proving grounds of this new custodianship. Newer technological sectors will pose unforeseen challenges. Take clean energy, for example: We have developed alternative and cleaner fuels; we have created systems that allow us to harness energy from wind, waterways, and sun, but where does the ethical duty lie? It lies in repairing—and not just replacing—what we damaged as well.
The same principle applies to cyber security, where protecting identity and trust
will become more important than the hardware sustaining such systems.
Another technological sector is data infrastructure. What once meant storage, processing, and access has now turned into a broader definition. It has quietly become the foundation of how societies remember, how institutions research, and how individuals are recognized. When data carries identity, history, and trust, engineers are no longer simply organizing information, but protecting truth itself.
Health technology quickly follows. Today, technology develops medical devices that help physicians make decisions; tomorrow, systems themselves will join the decisionmaking process through analyzing, predicting, and recommending treatment. Engineering moves from building machines that treat illness to designing systems that restore and protect the experience of being human. What we once called equipment may soon carry dignity. When it comes to manufacturing, we are witnessing a significant shift in its paradigm. It is no longer about how cheap, how fast, or how efficiently we can produce, but rather we ask: What are the consequences of manufacturing this way? Sustainable manufacturing forces engineers to think beyond design and production to consider material ethics, life cycles, and what remains after the product is gone.
The New Engineer
As expertise becomes the benchmark, our future engineers will need more than their trade tools. They will need:
• Adaptability: The future will not reward those who master one system, but those who can learn new ones. This will not be about speed but versatility.
• Cross-disciplinary fluency: Engineers will no longer speak only in formulas and diagrams but in policy, ethics, and human impact. The next engineer translates more than they calculate.
• Ethics, restraint, and intention: The question is no longer “can we build it” but “should we?” Moreover, “for whom?” Restraint will become a form of intelligence.
• Leadership under uncertainty: Leadership will not belong to those who always know what to build, but to those who know when to pause, ask, and weigh. It is not certainty that defines the engineer but judgment. All these traits are shaped through mentorship, by example, and by the kind of learning that transfers more than knowledge. Software can train a mind, but only humans can form a conscience. That is why the future of engineering depends less on instruction and more on formation.
The Legacy of BEYA
That is where BEYA stands after 40 years, not only as a stage or as a ceremony but also as a long-standing guardrail and beacon of knowledge. A place where engineers are not only recognized but also reminded that opportunities are earned, and that excellence is a collective goal. BEYA has taught us that progress without responsibility is just acceleration. USBE
THE QUESTION IS NO LONGER ‘CAN WE BUILD IT’ BUT ‘SHOULD WE?’ AND MOREOVER, ‘FOR WHOM?’
Don’t just read about the future— step into it.
Explore immersive career expos, seminars, and tech showcases at STEMCityUSA.com
We see your greatest potential and your motivation to achieve. We see you at Norfolk State University.
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College of Science, Engineering and Technology
O ffice of the Dean 700 Park Avenue | Nor folk , Virginia 2350 4 ( 757 ) 823-8180 | www.nsu edu/c set
Tennessee State University College of Engineering
The College of Engineering strives to educate and inspire every student to think critically, engage in lifelong learning, and contribute to the advancement of the profession and community.
What You Can Gain
As a prospective student you will:
• Unleash your potential under the guidance of dedicated faculty.
• Connect with leading industry partners in the dynamic engineering landscape of Nashville.
• Engage in nationally funded research opportunities while making a real impact through hands-on community engagements.
Why Choose Us
Research Programs
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INSTITUTION
University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), the state’s historically black, 1890 landgrant institution, emphasizes baccalaureate and graduate programs in the liberal arts, health professions, sciences and teacher education. In keeping with its land-grant mandate, the university’s purpose and uniqueness are grounded in distinctive learning, discovery and engagement opportunities in agriculture, marine and environmental sciences, technology, engineering and aviation sciences, health professions and hospitality and tourism management. Degrees are offered at the bachelors, masters and doctoral levels.
OVERVIEW
UNDERGRADUATE
• Accounting
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The School of Business, Engineering, Applied Sciences, Technology, and Tourism Management (S-BEASTTM) is comprised of six academic departments: Aviation Sciences; The Built Environment; Business, Management, and Accounting; Computer Science and Engineering Technology; Engineering; and Hospitality and Tourism Management, which includes the PGA Golf Management program. The school’s faculty members are actively engaged in funded research and educational projects, many of which involve undergraduate programs.
Affirming the University of Maryland Eastern Shores’ role as the State’s 1890 land-grant institution by providing to citizens opportunities and access that will enhance their lives and enable them to develop intellectually, economically, socially, and culturally.
• Construction Management Technology
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• Engineering Technology
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GRADUATE
• Master of Science in Applied Computer Science
• Master of Education in Career and Technology Education
• Master of Science in Cybersecurity Engineering Technology
• Master of Science in Data Science and Analytics Engineering
• Master of Science in Electrical and Mechatronics Engineering
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Applied Computing and Engineering
RESEARCH AREAS
Dr. Derrek B. Dunn, Dean
School of Business, Engineering, Applied Sciences, Technology & Tourism Management
30925 College Backbone Road | Princess Anne, MD 21853
Phone: 410-651-6067 Fax: 410-651-7829
ddunn@umes.edu | www.umes.edu/sbt/
Virginia State University College of Engineering and
Technology
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A Student‐Centered, Dynamic, and Engaging Academic Environment
Leadership Systems Thinking Professionalism
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For more information, contact: Office of the Dean 1 Hayden Drive Box 9392 Virginia State University, VA 23806
(804) 524-1141
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Congratulations to BEYA on their 40th year anniversary, and to our 2026 Modern-Day Technology Leaders:
Together, let’s make a new world happen.
Ava Clay
Kate Collins
Reginald Moore
Chandi Thiel
Kendra Mack
Sanil Mhatre
Charanya Chandrasekaran
Dylan Aupetit
Nabil Jbour Rachael Platt
Sheldon Fogarty
William Treadway
Wes Henderson Zaima Mazumdar