Alumni Success
Chandra Brown
Master of Technology, 2002
Executive Director
Ogeechee-Canoochee Riverkeeper,
Statesboro, GA
Chandra graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and an Environmental Ethics Certificate in 1998. She then attended Georgia Southern University where she conducted her thesis research on nitrogen pollution in the Canoochee River. She presented the results of her research at the Geological Society of America Southeast Conference in 2001 and received her Master of Technology degree in Environmental Studies in 2002.
“The faculty took a personal interest in helping me develop a course of study and research that expanded my knowledge, and ultimately put me on a career path that led me to my dream job.”
As Riverkeeper, Chandra actively monitors our rivers and streams for pollution, advocates for pollution prevention and clean water in our communities, and conducts educational programs on preventing pollution and stream restoration.
Tom Hopkins
B.S.EET, 1978
Owner & CEO,
M/R Systems,
Norcross, GA
Mr. Hopkins graduated Georgia Southern University in 1978 and began his career as a instrumentation and control systems engineer. He transitioned to project management and ultimately sales and marketing management during his successful career representing Fortune 100 companies.
Mr. Hopkins struck out on his own in 1994, founding M/R Systems, a complete turn key systems integrator located in Norcross, GA. M/R Systems is today a $10M company, and has become the premier Instrumentation and Control Systems Integrator in the municipal water and wastewater industry, servicing clients in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama and Kentucky.
LaKaisha Jackson
B.S.EET, 2008
Design & Test Engineer,
Rockwell Collins,
Sterling, VA
Ms. Jackson designs and tests flight simulators for this Fortune 500 aerospace company. “Flight simulators are like super video games,” according to Ms. Jackson, “I combine work and play.”
Ms. Jackson leveraged her intern experience at Gulfstream and lab experience at Georgia Southern University into a challenging and fun career opportunity. According to her, “The engineers who interviewed me wanted to know what I had built in the lab at Georgia Southern and what equipment I had used. Having hands on experience made a difference with Rockwell, and that experience got me the job.”
Brendan McKee
B.S.EET, 2008
Integration & Test Engineer,
Western Digital,
Los Angeles, CA
Mr. McKee performs integration design of computer hard disk drives for this Fortune 500 company. “Hard disk drives are on the leading edge of mechatronics, and my moon robot senior design project was great training.”
Mr. McKee impressed Western Digital when they recruited him at the regional robotics competition in Atlanta, GA. According to him, “The engineers who interviewed me were impressed with the fact I had designed and assembled circuits that didn’t work as expected, and then had the knowledge and skill to troubleshoot, repair, and redesign. They quizzed me on real designs, on the spot.” “Having experience working on a team made a difference with Western Digital as well, and that experience got me the job.”
Mr. McKee is excited with opportunities he has in Los Angeles, and the promise of moving into technical management. “I have developed the skills and discipline at Georgia Southern to achieve whatever I want.”
Johnny Parrish
B.S. Industrial Management, 1972
V.P. Engineering & Operations,
Brodie International,
Statesboro, GA
Johnny received his B.S. in Industrial Management in 1972 and started as a designer for Brooks Instrument, a division of Emerson Electric. He and three other senior executives bought the flow meter division from Emerson in 2003. Brodie International is today a $30M company, and the industry leader in the production of high precision liquid flow meters and valves used in the custody transfer of petroleum products. Brodie counts among their customers such names as Exxon-Mobil, Shell, Aramco, and China National Offshore Oil Company.
“In my personal experience Georgia Southern grads are able to adapt to the daily changes facing the practicing engineer. They have more hands-on experience and work well with other disciplines such as manufacturing, sales and quality because they think beyond the technology. They think about their job as part of a business.”
Lydia Richardson
B.S.EET, 2010
Project Management,
The Boeing Company,
Bellevue, WA
Ms. Richardson performs scheduling, testing, and software release on The Boeing Company’s new 787 Dreamliner. “The best part about my career is that I never do the same thing every day”, said Ms.Richardson, “I am really excited to see what the day has in store because it keeps the work interesting and new.”
Ms. Richardson learned that Boeing was impressed with her ability to productively work in a team environment and her initiative was clearly highlighted in the interviewing process. “I believe skills such as those really sealed the deal for my dream job”, said Ms. Richardson. “Anyone graduating from Georgia Southern has the ability to dream BIG, and make that dream become REALITY.”
Robert Roulhac
B.S.EET, 2008
Systems Engineer,
Cisco Systems,
Research Triangle Park, NC
Mr. Roulhac interviewed with and received offers from many companies in diverse industries, such as BAE Systems, British Petroleum, Toyota, Northrup Grumman, Milliken, etc. He ultimately chose Cisco Systems, the internationally recognized internet communications company. Mr. Roulhac attributes his success attracting the attention of such stellar companies to his experience at Georgia Southern. “I have been exposed to a vast array of electrical and electronic courses, equipment, as well as hands on experience in the exceptional science and technology laboratories. It has been a pleasure attending Georgia Southern University …, I was able to develop in every aspect”
Mr. Roulhac continues, “I highly recommend the Engineering Program to any young student that has giant dreams….remember there is an end to the tunnel and the light that is waiting is greater than you could ever imagine.”
R. Chris Rustin, REHS
Master of Technology,
Environmental Compliance, 2004
B.S. Biology,
Armstrong Atlantic State University, 2000
Deputy Environmental Health Director,
Georgia Division of Public Health,
Atlanta, GA
Mr. Rustin received his Master of Technology in Industrial Safety and Environmental Compliance from Georgia Southern in 2004 and is presently pursuing his Doctorate in Public Health at Georgia Southern University. Mr. Rustin’s primary responsibilities are the management of the State Environmental Health program and assisting the county health departments with implementation of the Environmental Health program for the entire state of Georgia.
“Georgia Southern provided me a flexible program that fit my busy schedule and was taught by excellent professors that took an interest in my career and career goals. The knowledge I gained has helped me succeed in my career and the positive experience convinced me to pursue my Doctorate at Georgia Southern.”
Mr. Rustin is a past President of the Georgia Public Health Association, Environmental Health Section.
James Suchovsky
B.S.Manufacturing, 1992
Master of Technology, 2002
Plant Manager,
Briggs & Stratton,
Statesboro, GA
James Suchovsky received his B.S in Manufacturing from Georgia Southern in 1992, and his Master of Technology from Georgia Southern in 2002. “I had an excellent experience working on my Master of Technology degree at Georgia Southern University. The degree enabled me to blend the right amount of technical and business courses needed for my current job and future career progression.”
Suchovsky also gained valuable experience from working locally at Robbins Packing and ITT Grinnell prior to starting with Briggs & Stratton in August of 1995. James “came up through the ranks” with Briggs & Stratton, holding positions in aluminum machining, ferrous machining & assembly, as well as Engineering Manager.
Last updated: 11/9/2015