Alumni

Kristy Sharkey earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University in 1998. She spent the first 10 years of her career working in engineering roles in both the automotive and aerospace industries and then transitioned to UX design and research in 2009.  Sharkey has held several customer-focused roles since the start of her career. She launched her career as an automotive applications engineer . . .

Ray H. Herner earned his BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Tech in 1953 and an MS degree in Mechanical Engineering in1954.  Prior to coming to Michigan Tech, Ray attended Lake Superior State University ("Soo Tech") for two years.  At Tech, Ray received a Teaching Fellowship for Mechanical Engineering.  After graduation he lived and worked in Alpena for 22 years.  His career included working at Abitibi, . . .

Doug Parks is the Executive Vice President of Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain at General Motors. Prior to this appointment, Doug was the Vice President for Autonomous and Electric Vehicle Programs from 2016-2019. From 2012-2016 he was Vice President of Product Programs. From 2011-2012 he was Executive Director and Group Vehicle Line Executive of Electric Cars, including the Chevy Volt. From 2004-2010 . . .

Kristin Kolodge (Schwalbach) graduated from Michigan Tech in 1995 with her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. After attending Women in Engineering during Summer Youth Programs, she was hooked. Michigan Tech was the only school she applied to. Kolodge’s career started as a contract employee for Chrysler and was hired on directly several months later. She spent 19 years at Chrysler, working to create . . .