UA Honors Seven Distinguished Engineering Fellows

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama College of Engineering honored seven alumni of the College by inducting them into its class of 2010 Distinguished Engineering Fellows.

Dr. Joseph E. Cates, Ronald E. Chronister, Cynthia Cason Gray, Robin Neely Henderson, Michael David Johns, Garry M. Lyles, and Alsey Clements Parker received the top honor the College presents at a ceremony March 27 at NorthRiver Yacht Club.

Joseph E. Cates, Ph.D. – B.S.A.E. 1990

For the majority of his professional life, Dr. Joseph E. Cates has been an instrumental contributor to the growth of the digital age in the film and music industry. Throughout his career, he has worked on the development of new methods of producing and distributing digital content in both physical formats and online. Cates’ knowledge of entertainment technology and leadership skills have helped advance him to his current position as senior vice president of technology for Universal Pictures.

After completing his master’s degree and doctorate at the California Institute of Technology, Cates joined Universal Studios New Media Group in 1997 as director of technology and programming. During his time with Universal, Cates has overseen technology for Universal Studios New Media Group, served in the new technology and digital strategy group at Universal Music Group, and he led the anti-piracy technology and operations group at NBC Universal.

In his current position, Cates oversees Universal Pictures’ technology efforts. He is responsible for enabling greater consumer access to Universal’s film content through research and development of digital technologies including digital cinema, 3-D, new formats and Internet distribution.

While in graduate school, Cates formed one of the earliest commercial Web development companies. It created Web sites for a number of media and entertainment companies. He also has worked in Microsoft’s Media and Entertainment Group on the deployment of Windows Media technologies in the music industry.

Cates, who graduated from The University of Alabama in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, is active in a number of professional organizations, including serving on the studio advisory group of the Science and Technology Council of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and serving as chairman of the DVD-CCA.

Cates resides in San Marino, Calif., with his wife, Lourdes, and two children.

Ronald E. Chronister – B.S.C.E. 1982

For the past 27 years, Ronald E. Chronister has contributed his knowledge and commitment to the country through his work for the U.S. Army. His dedication to his job stems from his passion for protecting the soldiers who defend America. Superior technology and air support continue to bring success to U.S. troops, and these defenses are developed under Chronister’s leadership.

Following an internship at the Red River Army Depot in Texarkana, Texas, Chronister began his career at the Redstone Arsenal as a general engineer in the production engineering division. He has since served as the chief of the production engineering division, the chief of the manufacturing, science and technology division, and the deputy director and the director of the engineering directorate. In his current position as deputy to the commander of the Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command, Chronister believes it is the organization’s responsibility to support soldiers every day. Through the group’s provision of  hardware and systems, soldiers are better able to accomplish their goals while in flight. As deputy to the commanding general, Chronister manages a multifaceted and diverse organization with a budget of more than $4 billion and more than 11,000 employees.

Chronister’s commitment to his job and his nation is apparent through his involvement in the Army Acquisition Corps, the American Helicopter Society, the Association of the United States Army, the Army Aviation Association of America, and the National Defense Industrial Association.

Chronister has been honored with the Army’s Greatest Invention Award for the Blue Force Tracker. He also received the Alabama A&M University Leadership Award in 2005 and the Army Acquisition Corp Award for Scholastic Achievement, while he was in Naval Post Graduate School.

He received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from The University of Alabama in 1982, and a master’s degree in program management from the Naval Post Graduate School.

Chronister resides in Athens with his wife, Susan, and daughter, Kelly. His son, Keith, is a freshman at the University of North Alabama and his son, Kyle, is a freshman at The University of Alabama at Huntsville.

Cynthia Cason Gray – B.S.C.S. 1982

From inspiring youth in science and math in the public school system to leading Gray Research Inc., Cynthia Cason Gray has become one of Huntsville’s leading female business owners. As executive vice president of Gray Research, she has an integral role in coordinating all support functions for the company as a subsidiary of MacAulay-Brown Inc.

Under her leadership, Gray Research grew into a leading provider of engineering and business solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense and NASA. With more than 150 employees and more than $27 million in annual revenue, Gray Research came to excel not only in corporate culture but also in customer satisfaction.

In 2008, Gray served as chief executive officer and was responsible for the sale of Gray Research to MacAulay-Brown. Her leadership made the transaction one of the most successful in the Huntsville aerospace community. During this transition, Gray coordinated all supporting documentation and legal and financial teams related to the sale.

From 1999 to 2006 and prior to her tenure as chief executive officer, Gray served on the board of directors of the company and participated in all aspects of strategic planning, management execution and operations. Her previous experience also includes service as a systems analyst for the Veterans Administration in verification and documentation and as a computer programmer for The University of Alabama School of Medicine.

Gray is also dedicated to community volunteering. Prior to founding Gray Research with her husband, she served as a substitute teacher in the Decatur city schools and as a PACE lab instructor at Decatur High School, where she focused on math and science instruction. She also serves on advisory boards for the Huntsville Botanical Gardens, the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, and the Foundation for Excellence at The University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Gray received her bachelor’s degree in computer science from The University of Alabama in 1982. In recognizing the importance of education, Gray and her husband established three endowed scholarships at the Capstone supporting students in business, engineering and athletics.

Gray resides in Huntsville with her husband, Ronald W. Gray. Their daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Jason, and their son, Charles, all graduated from the Capstone, and they have one granddaughter, Charlotte.

Robin Neely Henderson – B.S.I.E. 1983

Robin Neely Henderson has devoted more than 26 years to public service helping advance America’s space program and working on some of the nation’s most important science and exploration initiatives, including the Hubble Space Telescope and the International Space Station. Through her dedicated efforts and leadership, she ensures that policies and processes are in place to effectively and safely reach beyond our current knowledge of space.

Upon graduating from The University of Alabama in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, Henderson joined the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville. Since then, she has steadily advanced, and, in 2004, she was named associate director for management, where she is responsible for assisting the director in managing a workforce of more than 7,000 employees and for ensuring that the center’s 4.5 million square feet of facilities and capabilities are equipped to support delivery of products and services needed by NASA and the nation.

Prior to her appointment as associate director at Marshall Space Flight Center, Henderson served as chief operating officer of the National Space Science and Technology Center in Huntsville, a coalition of NASA and academic scientists conducting cutting-edge research. She was responsible for managing operations and recommending business strategies. Previous work experience includes serving as the deputy manager of the microgravity research program office, business manager of the upper stages project office, and assistant to the manager of the space systems project office. Henderson began her career as a technical analyst supporting NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope program.

During her career at Marshall Space Flight Center, Henderson has received numerous awards, including the 2006 Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Executives, the highest honor for federal employees. It is awarded by the president of the United States to a select group of senior federal executives who have shown outstanding leadership and service to their agency. She also received NASA’s Outstanding Leadership and Exceptional Acheivement Medals for her outstanding leadership, dedication and professionalism during the Marshall Space Flight Center realignment with NASA’s Vision for Space Exploration and for her outstanding contributions in planning and developing multiple microgravity projects.

Henderson resides in Decatur with her husband, Cecil. They have three grown children, Matt, Lydia and Adam, and one grandchild, Mya.

Michael David Johns – B.S.M.E. 1997, M.B.A. 2005

Michael David Johns began his career with Southern Research Institute as an engineering co-op student at The University of Alabama in 1994. Since then, he has dedicated his career to the company, and he currently serves as vice president of the engineering division. Under Johns’ leadership, he has grown the business to more than $26 million in annual revenue and to one employing more than 120 engineers, scientists and support staff. Johns also serves as director of government affairs for Southern Research.

Johns has directed and managed high-profile research and commercial projects and now leads teams of researchers working in clean energy technologies, electromechanical systems and integration, aerospace engineering, materials engineering and automotive engineering. He recently helped launch the Carbon-to-Liquids Development Center in Research Triangle Park, N.C., that focuses on the development of clean transportation fuels from renewable resources. He is also overseeing an office expansion into the Huntsville market and the launch of a composite structures manufacturing business.

Prior to his appointment as vice president of engineering, Johns served as the director of the transportation systems division where he was responsible for new automotive technology development in areas of manufacturing failure analysis, vehicle dynamics, environmental simulation and accelerated life testing. From 1999 to 2003, Johns led the materials characterization group and was responsible for materials research programs for NASA and the U.S. Department of Defense, as well as new emerging areas in automotive research in the Southeast. He began his career as a materials engineer researching the areas of thermal and thermal-structural behavior of materials, specializing in characterizing carbon, silica, glass and ceramic matrix composites.

Johns has helped not only his alma mater but also his adopted home state of Alabama by forming collaborative university teams for research, especially in automotive applications. He played a leading role in establishing the Society of Automotive Engineers Alabama Section that has helped grow the automotive industry in Alabama. In addition to his work with the Society of Automotive Engineers, Johns is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Society for Metals, and the Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association.

Johns received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from The University of Alabama in 1997 and received a master’s in business administration from the Capstone in 2005. He is an active member on UA’s College of Engineering Leadership Board and the engineering leadership board at The University of Alabama at Birmingham.

He resides in Tuscaloosa with his wife, Laurie, and their son, Oak.

Garry M. Lyles – B.S.M.E. 1975

Becoming the first in his family to graduate from college propelled Garry M. Lyles to numerous assignments with NASA throughout the country. As the engineering associate director for technical management at Marshall Space Flight Center, Lyles’ leadership skills have played an important role in implementing engineering best practices to track the product delivery and resolution support of the Ares I Upper Stage and Vehicle Integration projects.

Upon graduating from the Capstone in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Lyles joined the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville and spent the first nine years of his career as a propulsion system analyst. After the Space Shuttle Challenger accident, Lyles served as member of both the external tank and solid rocket motor contingency teams. After the Challenger investigation, he moved to Utah to work directly with the contractor design engineers as the NASA lead engineer for the internal motor thermal redesign for which he was awarded the NASA Medal for Exceptional Engineering Achievement.

In 1988, Lyles returned to Marshall as branch chief of engine systems. He then accepted positions as deputy division chief and division chief, where he lead 150 engineers responsible for providing support to the National Launch System Program Office and where he received the NASA Medal for Exceptional Service.

Lyles was named the NASA resident manager of the Canoga Park, Calif., facility in 1993 to oversee the quality of space shuttle main engines, and, in 1995, he was named the acting chief engineer of the space shuttle main engine project. From 1996 to 2002, he led the program team that developed the strategy for future launch systems for which he was awarded the Rank of Meritorious Executive.

In 2002, Lyles was chosen to manage the propulsion office of the Second Generation Reusable Launch Vehicle Program. During this time, he also provided technical support to the post-Columbia Integrated Space Transportation Plan. He then accepted the position of chief engineer of exploration systems in Washington, D.C., in 2005, and, in 2007, he returned to Marshall as the engineering associate director for technical management. He recently received the Distinguished Service Medal for his contributions to launch vehicle design.

Lyles resides in Madison with his wife, Diane. They have four children, Will, Katie, Nathan and Zachary, and one grandchild, Thai.

Alsey Clements Parker – B.S.C.E. 1922

Making life easier for Tuscaloosa residents could be described as the mantra that Alsey Clements Parker followed throughout his life. From working on numerous water projects at Lake Tuscaloosa to the widening and paving of Veterans Memorial Parkway, Tuscaloosa residents had easy access to roads and clean water thanks to his dedication to engineering a great city. During Parker’s years as Tuscaloosa’s city engineer and later as chief executive officer of his engineering firm, he supervised the completion of these and many other projects that allowed Tuscaloosa to grow and become more accessible.

Parker received his degree in civil engineering from The University of Alabama in 1922, and continued his education at New York University where he received a master’s degree in engineering in 1923. Parker returned to Tuscaloosa and served as assistant city engineer for nine years before being named city engineer in 1932. He served the city until 1956 with the exception of serving three years in the Civil Engineer Corp of the U.S. Navy during World War II. In 1956, he formed a consulting firm, A.C. Parker & Son, now recognized as Almon Associates.

Parker was recognized as a fellow in the American Society of Civil Engineers and was a member of the American Waterworks Association, the American Public Works Association, the Consulting Engineers Council, and the Alabama Water and Pollution Control Association. He was a diplomat with the American Academy of Environmental Engineers, a registered professional engineer, and land surveyor of Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi.

In 1999, his family established the Alsey Clements Parker Memorial Endowed Engineering Scholarship to provide scholarships to undergraduate students pursuing degrees in civil engineering at The University of Alabama.

Parker, who passed away April 1, 1969, is survived by three children and 11 grandchildren. Three generations of Parkers have earned degrees from the Capstone. His son, Alsey C. Parker Jr., was inducted as a UA Distinguished Engineering Fellow in 1988.

 In 1837, The University of Alabama became one of the first five universities in the nation to offer engineering classes. Today, UA’s fully accredited College of Engineering has more than 2,700 students and more than 100 faculty. In the last eight years, students in the College have been named USA TodayAll-USA College Academic Team members, Goldwater scholars, Hollings scholars and Portz scholars.