Born in Mount Sterling, Kentucky, Harlen Wheatley has spent nearly his entire life in the Bluegrass State. After relocating and spending much of his youth in Florence, Kentucky, Wheatley attended Northern Kentucky University, where he attained his degree in chemistry. He then migrated to full-time work at a chemical company in central Kentucky while completing a chemical engineering degree at the University of Kentucky.
Malgorzata “Margaret” Marek Sturgill is the daughter of University of Kentucky emeritus professor of computer science Victor Marek; however, her interest in computers arrived independently of her father’s profession. While the Marek family was spending a year in Venezuela, a school-wide strike left 15-year-old Margaret with nearly nothing to do. While at her father’s office, she noticed a computer that was ignored by everyone. Her father handed Margaret manuals for the machine, and she took to it instantly and never looked back.
Until his retirement earlier this year, Richard Simpson was the vice president, global supply chain for GE Gas Power. He has been a part of the General Electric family of businesses since graduating from the University of Kentucky in 1984. During that time, he served in numerous executive and leadership roles with a focus on global supply chain that accelerated his development as an operations leader.
Rickey “R.D.” James is the 12th assistant secretary of the Army for Civil Works, a post he has held since his appointment in 2018 by former President Donald Trump.
Joan Coleman describes herself as a life-long learner, a trait she learned from her parents. Raised in Erlanger, Kentucky, in a large family that had a strong work ethic and interest in calculus and physics, Coleman, whose family name is Adkisson, followed two of her brothers into the engineering profession. In addition to her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Kentucky, Coleman earned a master’s degree in public and private management from Birmingham-Southern College.
With over 40 years of experience in engineering transportation design and development, Don Kelly is an outstanding public servant to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Kentucky in 1965 and stayed to complete his master’s degree in 1967.
In her 35-year career at Procter & Gamble, Lisa Ernst has served as engineer, director of research and development, and vice president of research and development for oral care, hair care, personal health care and pet care. This year, she is retiring as the senior vice president of Research and Development for Oral Care and the consumer health sector leader of Research and Development.
With over 25 years of experience in electrical systems, Uday Deshpande has built an impressive career. He has worked on various products including blender and stand mixers, electric power steering actuators, brushless motor technology, electromagnetic aircraft launch systems and arresting gear for aircraft carriers.
Gregg Coleman wanted to be the first in his family to have a degree in engineering. He graduated from the University of Kentucky with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1985, making his parents and two brothers proud.
Jesus Caban met University of Kentucky professor Brent Seales in his home of Puerto Rico, and soon after, was interning for him in Lexington, Kentucky. Caban quickly taught himself English and enrolled in UK’s master’s program with Seales as his faculty advisor. He graduated with his master’s degree in computer science from UK in 2005.
