Leadership Academy

Pictured Above: November 2009 Leadership Academy Fellow, Don Ferris, with students

Leadership Academy

The Leadership Academy allows exceptional Alumni the opportunity to influence Parks students by serving as Leadership Academy Fellows. In being a fellow, alumni have the opportunity to host workshops for Parks students, sharing their experiences and giving students advice for their futures.

Fall 2010 Fellows

November - Joseph Lusczek (1961)

October 20 - John Beauregard (1992)

September 15 - Larry Rieders (1981)

Parks alum and Quality Engineer, Larry Rieders, spoke with students about his role at Boeing, where he supports all production related programs in the St. Louis area. His position requires constant coordination with all the programs to assure Boeing procedures are coordinated and effective. He spoke about his domestic and international work, encouraging students to take any opportunity to travel and learn about other cultures during their careers.

Spring 2010 Fellows

April 14 - Leadership Academy Reception

March 3- Marc Wilkins (1987) and Peter Kisling (197)

Parks graduates, Marc Wilkins and Peter Kisling, are leaders in the engineering and aviation industry. Wilkins flies for the United Parcel Service and Kisling flies for United Airlines. They came to speak with students about their careers and how they stayed connected in the years after college.

February 17 - Andy Thurmond (1975)

Parks graduate and native St. Louisan, Andy Thurmond, has worked in the aviation industry since 1975 for various companies. he has been appointed the FAA Safety Team Lead Representative for the FAA St. Louis Flight Standards district Office and has been an active member of the Parks College Alumni Board.

January 20 - Robert Clement ( 1973)

Parks graduate and former Top Gun pilot, Robert Clement, worked in the U.S. Navy for over twenty years and earned many awards and honors while doing so. Presently, he is a captain with the Federal Express and president of the National Intercollegiate Flying Association.

Fall 2009 Fellows

December 2 - Michael Burke

Named one of 'America's Best Lawyers' , Michael Burke is a legal expert who came to speak with students about his career and the many options they have with an engineering degree.

November 11 - Don Ferris

Don Ferris is a senior project engineer/manager for Berutti &Associates of Belleville. He was also the former director of Public Works for the city of Fairview Heights. 

October 20 - Luncheon with Gene Kranz

Gene Kranz is a retired NASA Flight Director who is best know for his role in the Mission Control team for Apollo 13. Kranz came back to SLU for a luncheon with very fortunate students.

September 30 - William Hopper

William Hopper owns Helicopter Services and Technologies has been an engineer with McDonnell Douglas and Boeng. Her work emphasizes in Aerodynamics, Materials and Processes, and Systems Engineering. She currently works as the Deputy Chief Engineer on the F/A - 18 E/F programs trying to integrate solutions across the program and ensure technical satisfaction.

September 9 - Carrie Traven

For about 12 years, Carrie Traven has been an engineer with McDonnell Douglas and Boeing. Her work emphasizes in Aerodynamics, Materials and Processes, and Systems Engineering. She currently works as the Deputy Chief Engineer on the F/A - 18E/F program trying to integrate solutions across the program and ensure technical satisfaction.

Leadership Academy Fellow Candidates

Are you interested in being a Leadership Academy fellow? Or do you know someone who you would like to nominate as a fellow?

For more information, contact Susan Bloomfield or Brooke Lund.