Past Alumni Award Recipients

Frank DiPaolo received a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from UNC Charlotte in 2015 and joined Wharton-Smith in 2017 following experiences at two other civil utilities firms. Since then, he has displayed remarkable career progress, ascending swiftly to the position of project manager. In this capacity, Frank has overseen a diverse range of projects in the greater Charlotte area, both in the office and in the field, showcasing an invaluable ability to navigate high-level perspectives and intricate project details within his project teams.

A notable contribution to the company has been DiPaolo’s involvement in college recruiting efforts. Instrumental in attracting and mentoring new hires, his supportive leadership style has established him as an excellent mentor. DiPaolo’s approachable and collaborative demeanor has played a key role in fostering a strong and supportive team culture, a testament to his leadership.

DiPaolo’s profound knowledge of his profession, combined with his genuine passion for his work, positions him as a valuable asset to Wharton-Smith. His dedication to projects, his team, and the company is evident in the quality of his work and the relationships he has cultivated throughout his burgeoning career.

DiPaolo’s commitment, diligence, and leadership have played a pivotal role in the success of the company.

Carl Ellington, Jr. was born in Charlotte, NC. He attended UNC Charlotte and earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1980, and received his North Carolina Professional Engineer License in 1985. He began his career in airport engineering and management at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport and the Myrtle Beach International Airport. In 1994, Ellington joined with Jay Talbert and Steve Bright to establish the airport engineering design firm Talbert, Bright & Ellington (TBE) in Charlotte, where he continues to serve as Principal-in-Charge today. Ellington served on the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors from 2012 to 2022. In addition, he is a UNC Charlotte CEE Advisory Board member, and assists with the Continuing Education Program and the airport design classes at UNC Charlotte. Ellington resides in Charlotte with his wife, Susie, and son, Mickey.​

Dr. Bethany Woody obtained her BSME, MSME and Ph.D. degrees in 1999, 2003 and 2005, respectively, and Dr. Shane Woody obtained his BSME, MSME and Ph.D. degrees in 1997, 2001 and 2005, respectively.

The company IST Precision Inc., located in Mooresville, NC, was established by Drs. Bethany and Shane Woody while they were still students, in 2001. Dr. Bethany Woody serves as the President and Dr. Shane Woody serves as the Senior Engineering Manager at IST Precision. The company is an engineering design and manufacturing company that focuses on developing precision automation processes and product development. It currently has 27 employees and is growing rapidly.

Through IST Precision Inc., and through their own research, Drs. Shane and Bethany Woody have contributed and continue to contribute significantly to manufacturing and metrology. Their work has been multidisciplinary, focusing on the forefront of sensor technology, actuators, and tool solutions catering to the microscale and nanoscale domains. Their contributions have resulted in several patents with several more pending.

Through IST Precision Inc., they continue to drive groundbreaking advancements in precision metrology and provide services to customers in some of the most advanced industries and manufacturing plants worldwide.

Klaus Perkins leads the structural engineering department in Clark Nexsen’s Raleigh office. Over his 28-year career, he has distinguished himself as a leader and engineer with a collaborative, team-oriented approach. Klaus has designed structural systems for a wide range of projects including higher education housing and academic buildings, corporate laboratories, military facilities, and pedestrian bridges. Klaus earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from UNC Charlotte in 1993. He joined Clark Nexsen in 2007 and has worked on many significant projects, including Fitts-Woolard Hall at NC State, Brandon Avenue Student Housing at UVA, and the Fort Fisher Visitor’s Center.

Joshua (Josh) Cox, CEO of Oxit, boasts a rich and expansive career spanning over a decade within the realm of Internet of Things (loT)-connected products and electronics. His journey in entrepreneurship has been marked by exceptional achievements, particularly through his leadership at Oxit, the pioneering loT solutions company he co-founded alongside his entrepreneurial partner, Peter O’Connor.

Cox’s steadfast dedication has propelled Oxit to remarkable heights, fostering a legacy of innovative and cutting-edge loT services for a diverse clientele worldwide.

Throughout his career, Cox has been actively engaged with educational institutions, notably collaborating with the W.S. Lee College of Engineering as a sponsor for multiple Senior Design projects. Beyond this, he remains fervently committed to nurturing impactful loT solutions for his alma mater, aligning his mission with the advancement and development of innovative technologies.

His unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of loT innovation, coupled with his visionary leadership, has cemented his reputation as a trailblazer within the industry. His strategic prowess and relentless pursuit of excellence continue to drive Oxit’s trajectory towards new frontiers, solidifying its position as a frontrunner in the realm of loT solutions.

Christopher Bailey is an engineering professional who demonstrates exceptional performance in leading various teams by providing critical capabilities/platforms for the armed forces utilizing his diverse background in complex problem solving. Currently, he is a project engineer managing program and technical execution for Leonardo DRS. Previously, he has worked for Lockheed Martin and Boeing. Bailey was previously on the William States Lee College of Engineering’s Alumni Council and currently serves on the Cahokia Mounds Museum Society Board of Directors. He completed a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at UNC Charlotte, a master’s at N.C. State and an MBA from UNC.

Deepika Dave is the Founder and President of Rising Ambitions of Young Society, a 501 nonprofit organization in the State of North Carolina since May 2019. In this role Dave has provided consultation to eliminate discrimination and violence against women across religions and ethnicity to ensure the voices of women across the marginalized community. She has run youth-led campaigns and strengthened their capacity to make gender equality a reality.

Dave’s desire to inspire, engage, educate and empower the young generation to foster their spirit for maximum productivity is a desire of a dedicated individual with proven leadership. She has been the catalyst for programs dealing with domestic violence, breaking biases for International Women’s Day, and teaching soft skills to women and girls in India. She is fully committed to advocating for the underserved and building bridges to close the equity gap between men and women.

In February, Dave conquered Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro. She wanted to show herself and other women of color that you can accomplish anything that you set your mind to, with the right attitude, perseverance and determination.

Tiffani Teachey is a Sr. Mechanical Engineer at Westinghouse Electric Company. She is a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) advocate, professional speaker, and international best-selling author of the children’s book “What Can I Be? STEM Careers from A to Z” and two women empowerment books. She is the owner of Thrive Edge Publishing and a publishing consultant with Inspired Authors Publishing. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management, both from UNCCharlotte. She is currently a Leadership Studies Ph.D. student at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. As an engineer with more than eighteen years of experience, Tiffani is passionate about inspiring the next generation to engage in STEM careers. She received the 2021 UNC Charlotte Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award. Tiffani, born and raised in Winston-Salem, NC, enjoys traveling and being a youth mentor.

With almost 26 years of experience working in the industry, Brian Smith is a founding partner and civil engineer at Urban Design Partners where he directs the firm’s day-to-day operations and manages the engineering studio.

Smith’s demonstrated ability ensures that each project benefits from a comprehensive and strategic approach. He excels in fostering connections with clients, consultants, and key members of agency review staff. His dedication extends to maintaining exceptional quality control and assurance standards for every project.

Smith has been a dedicated supporter of the College of Engineering, contributing in various ways over the years. For the past eight years, he has volunteered his time and his staff’s time to mentor senior design teams, actively participating in weekly meetings and inviting teams to his office for collaborative work. Even during the challenges of COVID-19, Smith remained committed, joining Zoom meetings to guide and support teams.

Beyond mentoring, Smith consistently provides paid internship opportunities for students interested in land development engineering, with several alumni now employed full-time at his company.

Additionally, Smith serves on the College of Engineering Alumni Council, contributes to mock interviews for Professional Development, and is a sought-after guest speaker in various classes, offering valuable insights and advice to both students and instructors.

Mellissa Oliver has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from UNC Charlotte, which has helped launch her career and passion for the land development industry. She is the Land Planning and Entitlement Manager on the Land Acquisition Team at PulteGroup, where she has been a significant contributor in securing land permitting and investment of $35 million for just over 1,000 single-family and townhome units in the Charlotte market in the past year alone. She is a recipient of the CBJ 40 Under 40, Axios 30 Under 30, and UNC Charlotte’s YAC Top 10 Under 10 Outstanding Alumni awards.

Accumulating 23 years of both public and private sector experience, Justin Carroll possesses a unique perspective on the effective operation of transportation systems which helped him ascend to the position of Deputy Director at the Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT).

A proud alumnus of UNC Charlotte, Carroll actively supports the Transportation Engineering student community. Whether through sharing professional experiences, mentoring through presentations to the ITE Student Chapter, hiring students as interns and full-time employees, or providing encouragement during Quiz Bowl competitions at the North Carolina Section Institute of Transportation Engineers (NCSITE) annual meeting, Mr. Carroll consistently demonstrates his commitment to the community.

In his current role as Deputy Director of CDOT, coupled with his involvement with NCSITE and voluntary service as Transportation and Security Manager for the Special Olympics North Carolina since 2018, Carroll exemplifies a profound passion for, accomplishments in, and contributions to the civil engineering profession.

Ryan Brumfield is currently the Director of the Integrated Mobility Division at the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Ryan joined the Integrated Mobility Division in April 2020 as the Innovations and Data Branch Manager prior to becoming Director in January 2021. Before joining NCDOT, Ryan was the Senior Transportation Advisor for the Appalachian Regional Commission where he led efforts to improve transportation access to opportunities and services for Appalachian residents and businesses. Prior to his work with ARC, Ryan was with the Federal Highway Administration for seven years, most recently as the national manager of the TIGER (recently BUILD, now RAISE) discretionary grant program. Ryan has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from UNC Charlotte and is a registered professional engineer.

Binesh Kumar graduated from UNC Charlotte with his Master’s in Electrical Engineering in 2015. He went on to work for an early-stage venture company called Atom Power. As one of the earliest employees, Kumar has played an instrumental and crucial role in the development and commercialization of the world’s first UL-certified solid-state circuit breaker, and in turn the overall growth of Atom Power, which has raised over 150 million dollars in funding from major companies like SK, Siemens, and ABB and has a current headcount of more than 100 employees.

Kumar has several accomplishments under his belt, including patents and publications on solid-state circuit breaker technology. He also serves in a leadership role within the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and has served on the Alumni Board of Directors of UNC Charlotte. He has a passion for mentoring students and serving as a bridge between academia and industry.

Ryan Kennedy is co-founder and CEO of Atom Power, Inc. He has been in the electrical design, project leadership, and engineering industries for over 27 years. A native of Charlotte, Ryan began his career as an electrician and worked with hardhat and tools on large commercial projects for six years before starting his study of electrical engineering at UNC Charlotte. Once Ryan received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Magna Cum Laude from UNC Charlotte in 2004, he continued full-time in his career as a Project Manager for a large electrical contracting and engineering firm. As Project Manager, Ryan negotiated and built some of the most high profile projects in the southeast for several large corporations, having managed and built over $90-million and 4-million square-feet in electrical construction projects. Ryan played a significant role in the design or construction of several notable Charlotte high-rise buildings, including Truist Tower, Fifth Third Center, Three Wells Fargo Center and Duke Energy Center. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in five US states and Board Member of the William States Lee College of Engineering’s Electrical and Computer Engineering department.

Austin Fifield is the Program Director in Electrical Engineering Technology at UNC Charlotte. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Master of Science in Applied Energy and Electromechanical Engineering at UNC Charlotte. As a proud alumnus, he is continuing his relationship with the university by pursuing his Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering.

Fifield’s love, dedication, and enthusiasm in service to the engineering profession and to engineering students at UNC Charlotte is impeccable. He has been involved with recruitment efforts, attending College-wide as well as off-campus outreach activities and events, while simultaneously teaching five courses and assisting with training as an advisor.

Fifield was part of a team that revamped course content and deployed the new ETEL-Electrical Engineering Tech Program, which went into effect in Fall 2023. He is an exceptional professional and colleague in the department of Engineering Technology and Construction Management.

Fifield specializes in radar, flight controls, navigation, communication, electronic warfare and weapons systems. He contributed to the United States Air Force as an F 15 Avionics Specialist where he troubleshot fighter aircraft electronic and avionics systems for about six years. He received the Engineering Technology Benjamin O. Woods Service Award and Engineering Technology Award.

Gary Stevenson graduated from UNC Charlotte in May 1985 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering Technology. In June 1985, he began working as a Staff Engineer for Fibertek, Inc. and has worked there for the past 37 years. Fibertek is a developer of advanced laser systems for the Department of Defense and NASA. He is currently the Director of Program Development and works in areas including Technical Proposal writing and Business Development. Mr. Stevenson is planning to retire next spring and may be moving to the Charlotte area where he will continue to work part-time as a consultant and mentor students.

Hannah Arrington is a 2007 Mechanical Engineering graduate of UNC Charlotte and has worked for Framatome (previously AREVA) for 16 years. She also has a master’s degree in Business Administration.

Early in her career, Arrington was selected to be a part of the inaugural class of a rotational program that sent selected employees to work for a year in three different business units, with increasing responsibility. During this time, she gained valuable nuclear construction site experience. After completing her rotational program, she was deployed in Germany where she attained experience in international business and expanded her knowledge of the company’s global reach.

Arrington returned to Charlotte in the role of Project Manager for AREVA Inc. where she leveraged her diverse experience for project execution. As a Project Manager, she had a record of managing a large portfolio of complex and varied projects, while exceeding financial and schedule targets.

Arrington is also a graduate of the E4 Carolinas Emerging Leaders program and received recognition from the Charlotte Business Journal as the region’s 2017 Emerging Leader in Energy. She has a Project Management Professional License from the Project Management Institute and won the UNC Charlotte Student Woman of the Year in 2007. Arrington was recently nominated and selected to participate in the U.S. Women in Nuclear – Nuclear Executives of Tomorrow (NEXT) program.

Arrington has gained a reputation as a bold, driven and passionate professional, and a fierce advocate for the nuclear industry and women and minorities.

Dr. Amber Stern is currently a Principal and the Director of Biomechanics at Engineering Systems Inc. (ESi) in Charlotte, NC where she applies her expertise to a wide range of forensic and biomechanical analyses. Prior to joining ESi, Dr. Stern spent time as an Assistant Professor at the University of Missouri – Kansas City in the Mechanical Engineering Department, a Research Engineer at Southwest Research Institute, and a Graduate Assistant at Virginia Tech and Wake Forest’s Center for Injury Biomechanics. Dr. Stern has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles and abstracts in the fields of biomedical and mechanical engineering and has received numerous national and international honors and awards.

Justin Marsh completed Nuclear Energy training at NNPTC in 2003. In 2011, he earned a B.S. in Systems Engineering with a Mathematics minor from UNC Charlotte, followed by an M.B.A. specializing in Engineering/Industrial Management from UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business in 2015.

Marsh’s commitment to public service is evident through his more than decade-long tenure as a Board Member for the North Carolina Public Access Foundation. Recognized for his exceptional contributions, he has received the Benjamin O. Hood Service Award from the William States Lee College of Engineering (2008), The American Society of Engineering Management Meritorious Service Award, and the esteemed Top 10 Under 10 Young Alumni Award from UNC Charlotte.

Marsh’s professional expertise extends across multiple states as he holds licenses as a Professional Engineer in North Carolina, California and New Mexico. He is also a licensed Project Management Professional, showcasing his comprehensive skill set and commitment to excellence in project execution.

Marsh’s dedication to fostering the development of future engineers is evident through his active involvement as a member of the Alumni Council Advisory Board for both the W.S. Lee College of Engineering and the Belk College of Business. Furthermore, his commendable service to the Navy has been recognized with the receipt of a Fleet Letter of Commendation and the Navy Achievement Medal.

Marsh’s passion for contributing to the advancement of engineering and nurturing the next generation of professionals is both admirable and inspirational. His ongoing efforts in championing the W.S. Lee College of Engineering reflect his unwavering commitment to shaping a brighter future for the field and aspiring engineers.

Dr. Jingrui Xie received a bachelor’s degree in finance from Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China (2009), a Master of Arts degree in Economics from Duke University (2011), a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management (2015) and a Ph.D. in Infrastructure and Environmental Systems (2016) from UNC Charlotte. Dr. Xie is currently the Manager of the Electric Load Forecasting team at National Grid and serves as an editor for IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid.