As the U.S. ramps up efforts to improve STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Manufacturing) education, the SME Education Foundation is building on its 30-year record of advancing technology-based education with the selection of its 2011 Board of Directors. The Foundation’s board members, representing business, industry and academia, were selected based on their involvement and commitment to issues critical to preparing the next generation for tech-based careers in a global economy.

Officers include:

President: Khalil S. Taraman, PhD, FSME, PE and D.I.T. Chair of Manufacturing Engineering, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI

Vice President/Secretary: Brian A. Ruestow, operations manager, F. W. Roberts Manufacturing Co., Inc., Lockport, NY

Treasurer/Chair of Finance: Peter F. Mackie, senior vice president – Investments, Wells Fargo Advisors LLC, St. Louis

Assistant Treasurer/Vice Chair of Finance: Edward Swallow, vice president, Business Development, Civil Systems Division, Northrop Grumman Information Systems, McLean, VA

Directors include: F. Brian Holmes, CMfgE, vice president operations, Columbia Plastics Ltd., Surrey, British Columbia, Canada

Barbara W. Kaufmann, director, 3M Foundation, manager, Education Giving/3M, St. Paul, MN

Dr. Irving Pressley McPhail, EdD., president and CEO, National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering, Inc. (NACME), White Plains, NY

Glen H. Pearson, director, Manufacturing Research & Engineering, Eastman Kodak Company (ret.), Rochester, NY

Pamela J. Ruschau, Esq., attorney, Leydig, Voit & Mayer, Ltd., Chicago

Mike Sayen, vice president of Strategy, Siemens PLM Software, a business unit of the Siemens Industry Automation Division, Plano, TX

Bill Tacon, PhD, senior director, Workforce and Education, BioOhio, Columbus, OH

William Taylor, associate vice president, Network Development & Expansion – Programs, National Academy Foundation (NAF), New York, NY

The SME Education Foundation has also selected four new members to serve a two-year term on its Board of Directors effective January 1, 2011. They are:

Ashok Agrawal, M.S., P.E., vice president, academic affairs, St. Louis Community College, Florissant Valley, MO

Kathy Burnham, APR, senior vice president, Padilla, Speer Beardsley, Inc., Minneapolis

Mike Schmidt, director, Education and Community Development, Ford Motor Company Fund, Dearborn, MI

Susan E. Shimoyama, vice president, Global Sales Operations, Rockwell Automation, Milwaukee, WI

Created by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers in 1979, the SME Education Foundation has provided more than $31 million since 1980 in grants, scholarships and awards through its partnerships with corporations, organizations, foundations, and individual donors.

For more information, visit the SME Education Foundation at www.smeef.org. Also visit www.CareerMe.org for information on advanced manufacturing careers and, our award-winning website for young people, www.ManufacturingisCool.com.

Questions or comments may be directed to the SME Education Foundation by phone (313) 425-3300, or email at foundation@sme.org.

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