UA Honors Five Distinguished Engineering Fellows

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. ­— The University of Alabama College of Engineering honored five alumni of the College by inducting them into its class of 2011 Distinguished Engineering Fellows.

Dr. Linda Blevins, C. Stephen Cornelius, Daniel K. Glover, Thomas M. Marr Sr. and H. Dean McClure received the top honor the College presents at a ceremony March 26 at NorthRiver Yacht Club.

Linda G. Blevins, Ph.D. – BSME 1989

Dr. Linda Blevins has devoted more than 22 years to advancing scientific research through various roles as researcher, technical adviser and program director, but, importantly, she has served as a mentor to young women entering technical fields. Through her dedicated efforts and leadership, she was chosen to contribute a chapter to the book, “Giving Much/Gaining More: Mentoring for Success,” and she was recognized as part of Purdue University’s Women in Engineering Program, which received a Presidential Award for Excellence in Engineering Mentoring Programs from President William Clinton.

Upon graduating from The University of Alabama in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Blevins continued her education receiving her master’s degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 1992 and then her doctorate from Purdue University in 1996. She began her career as a staff member of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. In 2000, Blevins joined Sandia National Laboratories as a senior member of the technical staff, where she supervised operations of the multifuel combustor laboratory studying the combustion of biomass and coal. In 2004, Blevins was selected as a program director of combustion and plasma systems for the National Science Foundation, where she selected reviewers and organized NSF panel reviews for combustion and plasma engineering proposals. In this role, she executed funding decisions of more than $5 million per year and monitored and ensured progress on more than 60 research awards.

Blevins accepted a position as technical and international advisor in the Office of Basic Energy Sciences for the U.S. Department of Energy in 2006 and was named senior technical advisor in the Office of the Deputy Director for Science Programs for the U.S. Department of Energy in 2007. In her current role, she provides advice on many aspects of science program management. She also manages the Office of Science Early Career Research Program and represents the U.S. Department of Energy on the Research Business Models subcommittee of the Committee on Science of the National Science and Technology Council. In 2009, she served on the White House Scientific Integrity task force, and she was invited to testify about gender equity in science before a Congressional subcommittee in 2008.

During her distinguished career, Blevins has served as the principal or co-investigator on 10 research projects totaling more than $4.6 million, and she has authored more than 23 refereed journal articles and presented more than 60 conference papers. She was named a Purdue University Outstanding Mechanical Engineer in 2009 and a UA Department of Mechanical Engineering Distinguished Fellow in 2005. She served on UA’s Mechanical Engineering Advisory Board for nine years.

Blevins resides in Germantown, Md., with her husband, Dr. Gregory J. Fiechtner.

C. Stephen Cornelius – BSME  1986

For the past 25 years, C. Stephen Cornelius has contributed his knowledge and commitment to the country through his work for the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center. Under Cornelius’ leadership as the director for missile development, he manages the U.S. Army’s Missile Technology programs helping protect our country’s armed forces.

After receiving his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from The University of Alabama, Cornelius began his engineering career in the systems and warheads division of the Structures Directorate for the U.S. Army Missile Command. In 1999, he continued his education and received a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from The University of Alabama in Huntsville and then continued with a master’s of business administration from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2002. In 2003, Cornelius was named chief of the systems and warheads division of the Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center, which he led for the next two years. In 2005, he was named the director of the Propulsion and Structures Directorate which he oversaw through 2007 when he was appointed as the deputy program executive officer of Missiles and Space. In 2008, Cornelius was named the director for Systems, Weapons Development and Integration Directorate.

Currently, Cornelius serves as the director for missile development and manages the Missile Technology programs, including efforts in exploratory development, concept demonstration and advanced development. He directs the strategic planning for technology programs and executes efforts directed towards the development of material for new or improved U.S. Army guided weapons, missiles, free rockets, directed energy weapons and associated technologies. In 2009, he was selected for the Senior Executive Service.

Cornelius was recognized as a University of Alabama in Huntsville Distinguished Engineering Alumni in 2006, and he received the U.S. Army Research and Development Achievement Award in 1988 and 1998. He is a professional member of the U.S. Army Acquisition Corps, the Order of St. Barbara the United States Field Artillery Association, UA’s Department of Mechanical Engineering Advisory Board, Leadership Huntsville/Madison County Association, and the Capstone Engineering Society.

Cornelius resides in Huntsville with his wife, Amy, and they have two children.

Daniel K. Glover – BSCE 1980

Daniel K. Glover has dedicated 34 years of engineering expertise to Alabama Power Co. throughout his various leadership positions, including vice president of power delivery and distribution, services manager of power delivery and operations manager.

Before graduating from the Capstone with a degree in civil engineering, Glover began his career with Alabama Power as a student engineer. After receiving his degree, he continued with the company as a junior and then senior engineer. In 1990, Glover was named a supervising distribution engineer and two years later became the supervisor of distribution operations. He continued advancing his career through operations, contract services and distribution management areas. In 1999, he was selected to be the first contract services manager, and in this role Glover oversaw the vegetation management program leading the organization to realize more than $4 million annual savings. In 2008, Glover became the power delivery services manager where he was responsible for capital and O&M budgets, distribution planning, distribution engineering systems, metering services, contract services and the Storm Center.

Currently, Glover serves as the vice president of power delivery and distribution. His responsibilities include leading more than 1,700 distribution employees in the design, construction and maintenance for more than 80,000 miles of distribution facilities and the Smart Grid development and deployment.

Glover serves on the executive board of the Southeastern Electric Exchange and the Power Delivery Committee of the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies. He chairs the Distribution Executive team at Southern Company. In 2004 and 2009, he served on the company’s Contract Negotiation Team. In 2002, Glover completed the Executive Accounting and Finance Program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Glover resides in Tuscaloosa with his wife, Belinda. They have three children and one grandchild.

Thomas M. Marr Sr. – BSCE 1954; JD 1957

American success story: These words easily define Thomas M. Marr Sr. From rural beginnings in Kentucky to becoming a leading entrepreneur and businessman, Marr has impacted the lives of thousands through his company, DRC Inc., and his law practice of Marr & Friedlander PC.

After receiving his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, Marr continued his education at the Capstone earning his juris doctorate. In 1961, he founded the law firm of Marr & Friedlander. Marr has had a distinguished legal career including election to the Alabama State Legislature, appointment as an assistant attorney general, selection by the Legislature to work on the committee to redraft the Alabama Constitution, and serving as a registered lobbyist.

Marr has also incorporated engineering into many of his business ventures. He has been involved in land development, home construction, pre-constructed octo-structure home components, and condominium development. In 1979 Hurricane Frederick caused massive destruction in Mobile and Baldwin counties, and the Health Department no longer approved septic tanks. Marr developed a plan and rebuilt the infrastructure in two years. He and his partner built a new sewer plant and caused a supply and distribution water supply system to be built that would serve the needs of the entire Orange Beach area.

In 1989, he founded DRC Inc., which provides emergency services during natural disasters. After Hurricane Hugo struck Charleston, S.C., DRC provided debris clean up and spent the next three years working in that area. DRC, which consists of 14 companies, is authorized to do business in most U.S. states and has worked emergencies in foreign countries, including the Caribbean, Guam, Haiti, Honduras, Iraq, Kosovo, Kuwait and Somalia. In 1991, Marr formed a company that went into Kuwait to provide assistance to various companies from all over the world that were extinguishing the oil well fires and removing bombs and other ordnances to reestablish the completely destroyed county.

Marr resides in Mobile with his wife, Christine. Together they have six children, 18 grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.

H. Dean McClure – BSCE 1985

For the past 25 years, H. Dean McClure has made numerous contributions to the civil engineering field through his work with TTL Inc., a diverse environmental and geotechnical consulting and testing firm.

McClure graduated from the Capstone in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. After graduation, he began his career with TTL, eventually becoming president and chief executive officer. He is responsible for 200 employees in six offices across Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.

McClure has spent virtually his entire career at TTL, beginning in 1985 as a staff engineer responsible for writing proposals, conducting field and lab testing, and writing reports. During his tenure with TTL, he has been involved in numerous projects, including the UA Bryant Denny Stadium West Addition, UA’s Bruno Business Library, the DCH Hospital ER Addition and site preparation for Mercedes-Benz U.S. International plant. In 1996, McClure was named the branch manager and executive vice president and was responsible for the geotechnical, environmental and construction materials groups. In 1997 and 2000, McClure guided the efforts for TTL’s acquisition of two firms in north Alabama. In 2000, he was named president of the company. In 2003, he led the group in the merger of a multi office firm in Georgia. In 2005, he was named chief executive officer, and in 2007, he oversaw the company acquisition of an additional firm in Nashville, Tenn.

McClure is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Council of Engineering Companies, and ASFE–the Geoprofessional Business Association. He serves on UA’s department of civil, construction, and environmental engineering advisory board and the Engineer’s Leadership Foundation Board. He previously served on the City of Tuscaloosa’s Planning and Zoning Board and as a board member for the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce.

McClure is a strong proponent for education and has led TTL’s commitment to involvement in community service through education. His company is a longtime adopt-a-school partner with Hillcrest Middle School, and he and the leadership team have spearheaded the TTL Accelerated Reader Program, which provides reading initiatives at schools that have low reading scores. This year, Engineer’s Leadership Foundation began a pilot reading program based on TTL’s model. Engineering News Record recently recognized McClure as one of the Top 25 Newsmakers for the company’s reading program. In 2008, TTL honored McClure for his support of education by endowing the H. Dean McClure scholarship at UA providing scholarships to deserving young men and women in civil engineering.

McClure resides in Tuscaloosa with his wife, Anita, and their five children.

 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 Today All-USA College Academic Team members, Goldwater scholars, Hollings scholars and Portz scholars.