Central Florida SWE Executive Council FY2011

Officers

President – Kristen Porter

Kristen Porter is a Systems Engineer with Lockheed Martin. Kristen earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology from the University of Central Florida. Kristen recently obtained her Masters of Engineering degree in Industrial Engineering with a concentration in Engineering Management also from the University of Central Florida. She has been an active member of SWE since 2005. Kristen served as the Conference Co-Chair, Secretary, and Multicultural Event Coordinator through her collegiate membership. She has most recently served as the Newsletter Editor for the CFL SWE Professional Section. Kristen is currently partnering with Orange County Public Schools to generate interest in STEM related activities at the Elementary school level. Besides being a member of SWE, Kristen holds membership with SPIE and the UCF Alumni Association. In her spare time, Kristen loves to read a good book, scrapbooking, playing billiards, and loves spending time with the Hubby.

SWE Goal Statement
To foster an environment that compels members to actively participate and to create programming for the section that enhances women engineers through personal growth, technical skills, networking, and leadership.

Vice President – Cheri Maboudou-Tchao

Cheri Maboudou-Tchao is a marketing engineer at Siemens Energy, Inc in Orlando. Cheri began her career at Siemens in August, 2008 as a technical support engineer. Prior to joining Siemens, she spent ten years at Emerson Process Management- Rosemount Nuclear Instruments, Inc. in Minneapolis, MN where she held positions in quality, manufacturing, and analog design engineering. Cheri received her Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering from North Dakota State University, where she first became involved with SWE. Within the Minnesota Section of SWE, she held many positions including Professional Development Chair, Nominating Committee Chair, Public Relations Chair, and Secretary. She has also been active at the National level as a member of the Membership Committee and the Work Life Balance Committee. Currently, Cheri is the Central Florida Section Webmaster. Cheri is excited to continue her involvement in SWE as Vice President of the Central Florida Section.

SWE Goal Statement
As Vice President I plan to support the goals of the Section and to help grow the Section by assisting in the planning of quality programs and events for the members.

Treasurer - Jean Hill

Jean Hill is a NASA Safety and Reliability Engineer at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) where she is the point of contact for safety variances to NASA-wide standards and KSC-wide requirements documents. Ms. Hill also performs and reviews analyses on Explosive, Pyrotechnic, and Hypergolic Propellant Systems for the Space Shuttle, Ares I-X, and Constellation Programs. In her 13-year engineering career, Jean has also performed analyses and launch activities in support of various missions, including the International Space Station, Hubble Space Telescope, and the Chandra X-Ray Telescope. She has also performed analyses for Laser Safety and Reliability Engineering on various ground and air combat weapons. Jean is currently serving as Central Florida SWE's Treasurer and has served two terms as Membership Initiatives Director where she was responsible for both Membership and Awards. Being a firm believer in education and educational outreach opportunities for students of all ages, Jean freely volunteers her time to SWE, AIAA, FIRST Robotics, and NASA Speakers Bureau outreach events. Ms. Hill earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Physics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and her Master of Engineering degree in Space Operations from the University of Colorado.

SWE Goal Statement
To document the position of Treasurer to ensure ease of transition for my successor.

Secretary - Gernai Bledsoe

Gernai Bledsoe currently works as a Systems Engineer for the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division in Orlando, FL. She previously worked for the Warner Robins Air and Logistics Center in Warner Robins, GA as an Electronics Engineer in the Electronic Warfare division for software maintenance. She has also received a vast wealth of knowledge through co-operative education and internship positions while matriculating through college with the following companies: Microsoft Corporation, NASA Kennedy Space Center, The Applied Research Laboratory, and NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center. She received a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Tennessee State University located in Nashville, TN in 2002. Two years later she received a M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in Computers from Michigan State University. Finally, in 2007 Gernai received a dual Masters in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in the areas of Aviation Management and Safety. Gernai is a member of the Eta Kappa Nu Honor Society and the Golden Key International Honor Society. She is a GEM Fellow Alumni. Gernai currently holds membership in the Society of Women Engineers and the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). Within the Central Georgia Chapter of NSBE, Gernai held the following offices: Programs Committee Member (2005-2006), Parliamentarian (2006-2007), and Treasurer (2007-2008). She is the current Secretary and past-webmaster for the Central Florida SWE section.

SWE Goal Statement

1. Update Members and Non-Members Contact information on our mailing lists and electronic invitation list.
2. Ensure communication media is updated regularly and members know where to find information for upcoming events.
3. Record minutes and post them to the Community Planning Section within one week of the meeting date.

Section Representative - Allison Tuff

Allison graduated in May 2009 from the University of Central Florida (UCF) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering. She currently works for United Space Alliance as a Flight Crew Systems Engineer at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Her engineering group is responsible for the maintenance and installation of flight hardware in the crew compartment of the orbiter.
Allison has been involved with SWE since 2005 with dedicated service as UCF Section President for FY09 and is currently the Region D Membership Coordinator. Allison would like to become even more involved with SWE and the Central Florida Section by running for Section Representative.

SWE Goal Statement
As Section Representative, she would like serve as a communication resource for the CFL Section. Her goals are to keep members informed about the ongoing activities of SWE on both the Region and Society level and build a stronger network with the local members.

Directors

Director of Diversity – Jacqueline Karastamatis

After obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Physics from Loyola New Orleans and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech, Jackie entered the Siemens Westinghouse (now Siemens Energy, Inc.) Sales and Marketing Development Program in October 2000 to gain broad business and product knowledge while focusing on customer contact. Jackie has since served Siemens Energy, Inc. in such capacities as sales for the Latin American market as well as product marketing in the US, and has recently taken a position in Market Strategy, analyzing the power generation market and supporting services market for the Americas and Canada.
The Habitat for Humanity organization has been an additional source of education and inspiration for Jackie. She has been active with the Habitat for Humanity Orlando chapter for almost ten years, participating in local builds and most recently serving on the Habitat Women Build Steering Committee raising awareness and funds to combat poverty housing conditions.

SWE Goal Statement
It is a strong conviction of mine that engineering professionals diversify their experiences and training in order to remain competitive in the marketplace and to gain exposure to unique and marketable opportunities. I would like to share this perspective with the local SWE organization and foster diverse opportunities through which SWE members may engage, lead, and network in the local community.

Director of Education - Migdalia Hernandez

Ms. Hernandez was born on a warm, sunny island called Puerto Rico. In 1986 she graduated with a Cum Laude bachelor’s degree in Science from Inter-American University in Puerto Rico. After her graduation in 1986,she moved to Virginia were she started working for Fairfax County Water Authority as a construction field inspector for new water main installations. Fascinated with treatment processes, she became a laboratory technician and moved to a laboratory supervisor position in 1991. Her work as a laboratory supervisor included overall source water quality surveillance together with surface treatment efficacy. While working at the Fairfax County Water Authority, she realized her passion for the environmental engineering field. She was accepted by the Engineering Department at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 1995, graduating with a Masters Degree in Environmental Sciences and Engineering in 1999.

Hernandez accepted a position with the City of Casselberry, Florida, as the Water Resources Manager in 1999. During her career in Casselberry, Hernandez completed a series of engineering projects including a water plant and reclaimed water expansion together with process automation to reduce future growth task force needs. In 2000, the City of Casselberry recognized Hernandez's commitment by naming her the Employee of the Year with their annual "Excellence Award".

In 2003, she was hired by the City of Sanford, Florida, as their Water Resources Engineer to assist with existing and future regulatory compliance and to oversee the City's utility infrastructure needs. Hernandez continues expanding her environmental protection work in Sanford. Hernandez is also one of the "Diversity Championship" trainer in Sanford Her contributions to engineering and her role model as a woman engineer are been recognized by SWE. The City of Sanford received the "Outstanding Public Organization of the Year" award at the CentralFlorida 2008 E-Week due to SWE's nomination in 2008.

SWE Goal Statement
My goal is to continue to promote different engineering fields educational/job opportunities among our female youth by reaching out middle; high; and college students thru workshops; school visits and short seminars.

Director of Membership – Atoosa Vaziri

Atoosa Vaziri graduated from the University of Central Florida (UCF) with a Bachelor's of Science in Computer Science in 1998. After working a few years, she went back to UCF and graduated with a Master's of Science in Management Information Systems in 2003. She also teaches at DeVry University since 2005 as an Adjunct Professor. She works for General Dynamics C4 Systems in Orlando as a Lead Software Engineer.

SWE Goal Statement
As the Director of Membership, my goal would be to help women engineers in different organizations realize the benefits of being a SWE member. I would ensure that as many women engineers as possible join SWE and be able to enjoy all the advantage that the membership offers them.

Director of Professional Development - Elaine Schomburg-LaFleur

Elaine Schomburg LaFleur is a project management engineer at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and is Mechanical Engineer. She has a passion around learning and helping others develop the skills and talents to succeed personally and professionally. Ms Schomburg LaFleur looks forward to understanding the needs and desires of the group and setting up events to focus on these topics. Over the past year she has become more involved with Central Florida SWE, acting as the current Director of Professional Development. Ms Schomburg LaFleur is passionate that SWE not only works to encourage young women to pursue careers in science, but also encourages women in the work force to establish goals for and to attain high levels of educational and professional achievement. Outside of SWE she volunteers in several other organizations that are designed to pique the interest of children in science and technical studies/careers, such as eCybermission.Thank you for the nomination as this section's Director of Professional Development. I have a passion around learning and helping others develop the skills and talents to succeed personally and professionally.
I look forward to understanding the needs and desires of the group and setting up events to focus on these topics. Over the past couple of years I have become more involved with our SWE chapter, acting as the current Director of Professional Development and attending as many of the functions as I can. I love that SWE not only works to encourage young women to pursue careers in science, but also encourages women in the work force to establish goals for and to attain high levels of educational and professional achievement. Outside of SWE I volunteer and participate in several other organizations that are designed to pique the interest of children in science and technical studies/careers, such as eCybermission. My background is in Mechanical Engineering. I currently work as a project management engineer at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

Committee Positions

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Last updated 6-27-2010