MemberSHPE Highlight interview Nathalie Quintero
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Orlando Torres’ MemberSHPE Highlight
March 4, 2018 By Leave a Comment
MemberSHPE Highlight interview Orlando Torres, BS AE, MBA
1.) Tell us about yourself! (job/career, hobbies, family, etc.)
I am a mechanical and structures design engineer for the Boeing Company, with 20 years of experience in the aerospace industry. I was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and moved to the states in 1993 to get my bachelor degree in Aerospace engineering from the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT). I graduated from FIT in May 1997 and immediately accepted a job with the United Space Alliance, a Boeing/Lockheed joint venture, with the Space Shuttle Program at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Space and aviation has always been my passion, so being able to work at KSC was a dream come true. At the end of 1999, I saw the opportunity to work directly with the Boeing Company at KSC, and interviewed and got a job with Boeing as a Purge, Vent, and Drain Systems Engineer. In 2006, I assumed the role of Subsystem Manager for the Orbiter Windows, and led that technical team until the end of the program in 2011. In 2008, I graduated with a Master in Business Administration from the University of Florida. After 2011, I got involved with the design and development of the purge, vent, and hazardous gas systems for the Space Launch System (SLS). I have also contributed to the Commercial Crew program and the CST-100 Starliner, as well as other new spacecraft developments.
I have been married for 15 years to my wonderful wife Karla. We have two children, our oldest daughter Sophia (8), and our son Roderic (5). Roderic is a sweet boy that was born with a cleft/lip and palate, which led to a list of other complications after birth that have really tested us as parents. We have learned a lot from this experience and we are really grateful to have him and my daughter in our lives. They have made us immensely happy, and we love them to death.
2.) To what capacity have you been involved with SHPE?
I was a SHPE member in college. But to be honest, after I graduated, I concentrated on my career and my family and did not pay attention to this wonderful organization. It wasn’t until I participated in the RLDC7 2015 in Miami, when I realized once again the value of this organization and how gratifying it is to give back through this organization. Having the ability to give back, inspire students, and guide them, even if it was just some minor advice, was a really gratifying experience. Since then I have been involved with SHPE, became a member once again, volunteered at work to be the SHPE site lead, and started getting involved in rebuilding the Central Florida Professional Chapter that had been quiet for some time. I became part of the e-board in 2016, and I’m currently the Profession Development Chair.
3.) What sparked your interest in SHPE? What motivated you to become an active member?
SHPE is an organization that empowers students as well as professionals to reach their fullest potential through STEM. Being able to have an impact in our local community, and to inspire young individuals and professionals through STEM, is what motivated me to re-engage as a member.
4.) What is your most memorable moment with SHPE?
Providing advice to a student at the National Conference in Seattle in 2016, talking to this individual at the hospitality suite, and later finding out he had secured an offer with Boeing, it makes you realize you made a difference. Even if it’s a small difference, when the individual comes back to you, with excitement, and grateful for the help, for them is that much greater and makes such an impact in someone else’s life.
5.) When not devoting time to SHPE or working, what activities/hobbies are you involved with?
I love the Florida Space Coast and what it has to offer. I enjoy spending time on the water, fishing and boating. I also have a private pilot certificate. I have not been able to stay current with my flying, but I do enjoy flying, and when given the opportunity, enjoy going flying with friends and family. Back when I had time, I enjoyed building and flying radio controlled airplanes. I also enjoy spending time with the family, and driving them around on the weekends for their sport activities.
6.) Anything else? (anything at all!)
Any opportunity I get to talk to students, I like to remind them that after graduation, waste no time, continue your involvement with SHPE, stay involved through community outreach, give back, and help others through STEM awareness.
RLDC 2018
December 29, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Dear SHPE Region 7 Familia,
RLDC 7 registration is now open! Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the Central Florida Professional Chapter will host region 7’s RLDC in Daytona Beach, Florida from February 22 – February 25. SHPE stages regional leadership development conferences on a yearly basis for the leadership of the SHPE chapters to improve their organizational, managerial, and technical skills. They take place in all of the seven SHPE regions.
Register now to take advantage of early registration pricing!
Early Pricing Rates:
- Undergraduate and Graduate Full conference with Lodging | $125.00
- Grants access to workshops, general program and career fair and includes three nights lodging at conference hotel.
- SHPE Student Full Conference Only | $75.00
- Access to workshops, general program and career fair. Does not include lodging
- SHPE Professional Full Conference with Lodging | $200.00
- Access to workshops, general program and career fair and includes two nights lodging at conference hotel.
- SHPE Professional Full Conference Only | $130.00
- Access to workshops, general program and career fair. Does not include lodging.
If your membership has recently expired, renew it here. All attendees MUST upload their resume. Follow this link to upload your resume.
Please contact RLDC 7 if you have any questions
See you in Daytona Beach!
Member Highlight Interview
November 29, 2017 By Leave a Comment
MemberSHPE Highlight interview
Arturo J. Perez, MSCE, P.E.
1.) Tell us about yourself! (job/career, hobbies, family, etc.)
I am a Professional Engineer (registered in Florida, Georgia and Colorado) with over 32 years of experience in the fields of transportation planning and traffic engineering. I was born in Venezuela and moved to the United States in 1980 at the age of 16 soon after graduating from High School there. I went to school at the University of Central Florida (UCF), now the largest university in the United States where I received both Bachelor (1985) and Master (1992) Degrees in Civil Engineering. Soon after completing my coursework for the master’s degree I started a small firm (Leftwich Consulting Engineers, Inc.) with one of my UCF professors (Dr. Scot Leftwich). I worked there for over 28 years until a near death medical issue (hemorrhagic bleed in the brain on July 7, 2014) required a change to my very stressful and hectic life. I now work for CDM Smith as a Senior Project Manager – Toll & Finance, doing Traffic and Revenue (T&R) Studies for toll facilities across the US at the Maitland office.
I have been married for almost 29 years to my wonderful wife Karen. We have three children, our oldest son Alex (23) is a second-year medical student at the University of South Florida (USF) and wants to be a Pathologist. Our daughter Nicole (20), known as Coco, is a second-year college student at Seminole State College, and wants to be an early childhood education teacher. Our youngest son Andrew (17) is a high school senior and wants to become a Civil Engineer following my footsteps.
2.) To what capacity have you been involved with SHPE?
The SHPE Central Florida Professional Chapter (CFPC) was founded in 1992 by a group of people lead by Mr. Larry D. Madrid, P.E. that included myself, Mr. Marco Franco, Mr. Luis E. Diaz, P.E., Mr. Gustavo M. Castro, Mr. Carlos Asturrizaga, Mr. Luis Grajales, P.E., Mrs. Grace Pierce, P.E., Mr. Jesus A. Mustafa, P.E, and others. Since its initiation, chapter members have stood out at the National level by winning multiple awards including the Corporate Achievement Award, Pioneer of the Year (Arturo J. Perez in 2002), Junipero Serra (Jesus Mustafa in 2003) among others. Locally, the chapter has contributed on several community service activities, including feeding the homeless programs, as well as providing underprivileged children with a holiday experience. The Central Florida Professional Chapter has made a strong bond with UCF and its SHPE student chapter. With this partnership, the SHPE CFPC has enjoyed a pipeline of membership of UCF graduates that remain in the Central Florida area. The chapter was fortunate to be able to request and receive at a very early stage the National Technical and Career Conference (NTCC), SHPE’s premier national conference for Latinos in the US. Held at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) and the Sheraton Hotel in 1998 with the theme “The Magic of Science and Engineering,” NTCC was a complete success attracting over 3,200 attendees. A mere six years later, NTCC 2006 was once again held in Orlando at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort with over 4,000 people in attendance.
3.) What sparked your interest in SHPE? What motivated you to become an active member?
Mr. Larry Madrid was the first person that mentioned SHPE to me and got me interested in the organization that was founded in 1974 by a group of engineers in Los Angeles, California. I have been a fairly active member ever since the local chapter was created in different roles as President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and even without a board title. I have attended about 15 national conferences in the past 25 years, including last year’s Seattle, WA, and this year’s Kansas City, MO, conferences where I was part of the organizing committee (signage team). I truly enjoy attending the conference a get invigorated with the influx of young new talent that represents the best of the best of the STEAM Latino community in the US.
I decided to become a member for life of the organization the first year it was available, becoming lifetime member number 4.
4.) What is your most memorable moment with SHPE?
Without a doubt it has to be listening to Mr. Jagjeet “Jeet” S. Bindra’s speech at the 1998 National Conference in Orlando, FL. At the end of the speech, over 3,000 participants of the luncheon gave him a standing ovation that must have lasted over 5 minutes. It was just an incredible success story that showed dedication, humility, and a can-do attitude by Mr. Bindra. At the time he was the President of one of the seven (7) Chevron companies, Chevron Pipe Line Company. A native of India, Mr. Bindra earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur in 1969 and, a year later, earned his master’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Washington in Seattle. He earned his master’s degree in business administration with honors from Saint Mary’s College of Moraga, California, in 1979. Almost 30 years to the day he arrived in the US, he was named President of Chevron Pipe Line. A truly remarkable individual, with an amazing and inspirational story for all people who migrate to this country.
Please read the entire speech here: https://www.chevron.com/stories/reflections-of-a-minority-manager
5.) When not devoting time to SHPE or working, what activities/hobbies are you involved with?
I love to travel and when my son Alex played Lacrosse for both Oviedo High School (OHS) and Florida State University (FSU) I went to see him play as the Goalie for eight straight years. I also love the Olympic movement and have attended the 1992 (Barcelona), 1996 (Atlanta), and 2004 (Athens) games. I like to snow ski, play tennis, and a good game of chess. I also attend most home and some away UCF Football games. I was there when UCF lost their 12th game (0-12, 2015 season), the most attended game (109,295, 9/11/2016) in UCF History in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and the 11th game (11-0, 2017 season).
6.) Anything else? (anything at all!)
I want to call upon all current students to continue to be involved in the organization after graduating from College and give back to the next generation of STEM!
SHPE Conference 2015: Kansas City, MO
October 15, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Welcome to the largest Hispanic STEM Conference in the nation where over 5,000 attendees
and more than 300 corporations, non-profits, government agencies and academic institutions
seeking to hire top STEM engineering talent join together to connect with you!
Visit https://shpeconference.shpe.org/ for more information!
Family & Friends Beach Day
March 20, 2017 By Leave a Comment
The professional chapter invites you to enjoy a day in paradise Beach. Bring your family and friends along with your chairs, towels, sunblock and be ready to have fun at the beach while you splash in the water or play games and sports with other fellow members.
Meet and Greet Event
March 3, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Meet & Greet Event in Orlando! March 10 2017 starting at 4:30 pm
Meet and Greet Event
February 12, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Meet & Greet Event in Melbourne! Save the date: February 17 2017 starting at 6:00 pm
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