FY25 Officers
Kalin Morrison, Chair
A native of Lexington, South Carolina, Kalin is a licensed Professional Environmental Engineer and a graduate of Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. After college, she served two years in the Peace Corps as a Water and Sanitation Engineer in Honduras. During her service in Central America, she designed potable water systems for 10 communities, benefiting more than 4,000 people. She has been with Hana Engineers and Consultants, LLC, for six years and has served as a project manager for more than a dozen projects worth more than $7.8 million. She currently serves as the Program Chair for Society of American Military Engineers and has held the position of Young Professional chair for the organization. Kalin is the president of Whipper Barony Neighborhood Association, a community organization in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. With a passion for community service, Kalin has obtained grants for sidewalks, facilitated the establishment and building of the Whipper Barony Community Garden funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Community Gardens Initiative Grant, led clean sweeps, painted the community center and park equipment, and organized election forums for the neighborhood, among other community service and civic activities. She has also served as a foster parent and respite care provider. She is a triathlete who trains and races in competitive events, such as Ironman 70.3, and advocates for cyclist and pedestrian safety across Charleston County. On top of all this, she has two amazing kids who continually challenge her to be her best self in every aspect of life.
A native of Lexington, South Carolina, Kalin is a licensed Professional Environmental Engineer and a graduate of Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. After college, she served two years in the Peace Corps as a Water and Sanitation Engineer in Honduras. During her service in Central America, she designed potable water systems for 10 communities, benefiting more than 4,000 people. She has been with Hana Engineers and Consultants, LLC, for six years and has served as a project manager for more than a dozen projects worth more than $7.8 million. She currently serves as the Program Chair for Society of American Military Engineers and has held the position of Young Professional chair for the organization. Kalin is the president of Whipper Barony Neighborhood Association, a community organization in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. With a passion for community service, Kalin has obtained grants for sidewalks, facilitated the establishment and building of the Whipper Barony Community Garden funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Community Gardens Initiative Grant, led clean sweeps, painted the community center and park equipment, and organized election forums for the neighborhood, among other community service and civic activities. She has also served as a foster parent and respite care provider. She is a triathlete who trains and races in competitive events, such as Ironman 70.3, and advocates for cyclist and pedestrian safety across Charleston County. On top of all this, she has two amazing kids who continually challenge her to be her best self in every aspect of life.
Nelie Kouamou, Vice ChairmanNelie is a value-driven engineering professional with expertise in software development, production analytics, and digital transformation across aerospace, utilities, oil and gas, and manufacturing. At Boeing, she led initiatives that advanced Smart Factory capabilities and real-time analytics platforms, driving data-informed decisions and operational efficiency. She also held roles at Schlumberger, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, and NovelLedge Technology, applying her systems engineering expertise in both field and corporate environments. Nelie holds a Master of Engineering in Industrial & Systems Engineering from Texas A&M University and degrees in Physics and Industrial Engineering. Her work bridges technology and operations to deliver scalable, people-centered solutions. She currently serves as Vice President of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) – Lowcountry, following three impactful years as Chapter President. Under her leadership, the section launched Alliance for Success: A STEM Professional Development Series and co-hosted the Women in Industry Day Conference, raising scholarship funds and elevating diverse voices in tech. Nelie is also a community focal for SWE and NSBE. She serves on the Advisory Board of the Charleston Southern University College of Engineering and on ECPI University’s Electronics Engineering Technology and Mechatronics programs. Her work has earned national honors, including the 2024 Modern Day Technology Leader Award and Boeing’s 2023 Technical Replication Award.
Heath Kaufman, Treasurer
Dr. Heath Kaufman is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and
Construction Engineering at The Citadel – The Military College of South Carolina in Charleston,
South Carolina. Dr. Kaufman brings a unique combination of academic and industry experience to his role. Prior
to joining The Citadel, he spent over five years as a Structural Engineer at Schaefer Inc. in Cincinnati, where he managed complex projects ranging from large-scale Amazon sort facilities to classified military buildings designed for progressive collapse resistance. His industry portfolio includes over 96 projects annually, spanning steel, concrete, masonry, wood, and cold-formed building materials across multiple seismic and wind regions.
His research expertise centers on structural fire engineering, seismic design, and connection behavior under extreme loading conditions. Dr. Kaufman has conducted extensive experimental and analytical studies on steel moment connections, slip coefficients of metallic coatings, and concrete culvert analysis. He is co-author of the book "Fire Protection Through Modern Building Codes" published by the American Institute of Steel Construction and has several journal articles in preparation for publication. Dr. Kaufman is a licensed Professional Engineer in Kentucky and serves as an officer in the American Society for Engineering Education's Southeast Region. He has taught a wide range of structural engineering courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels, including statics, mechanics of materials, structural analysis, and steel and concrete design. His commitment to education extends beyond the classroom through his mentorship of student design teams and involvement in STEM outreach programs.
Dr. Heath Kaufman is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and
Construction Engineering at The Citadel – The Military College of South Carolina in Charleston,
South Carolina. Dr. Kaufman brings a unique combination of academic and industry experience to his role. Prior
to joining The Citadel, he spent over five years as a Structural Engineer at Schaefer Inc. in Cincinnati, where he managed complex projects ranging from large-scale Amazon sort facilities to classified military buildings designed for progressive collapse resistance. His industry portfolio includes over 96 projects annually, spanning steel, concrete, masonry, wood, and cold-formed building materials across multiple seismic and wind regions.
His research expertise centers on structural fire engineering, seismic design, and connection behavior under extreme loading conditions. Dr. Kaufman has conducted extensive experimental and analytical studies on steel moment connections, slip coefficients of metallic coatings, and concrete culvert analysis. He is co-author of the book "Fire Protection Through Modern Building Codes" published by the American Institute of Steel Construction and has several journal articles in preparation for publication. Dr. Kaufman is a licensed Professional Engineer in Kentucky and serves as an officer in the American Society for Engineering Education's Southeast Region. He has taught a wide range of structural engineering courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels, including statics, mechanics of materials, structural analysis, and steel and concrete design. His commitment to education extends beyond the classroom through his mentorship of student design teams and involvement in STEM outreach programs.
Ron Neil, Secretary
Ron Neil has over 15 years of experience with higher education with ECPI University helping to create the workforce of the future in Manufacturing, Mechatronics, and Cyber Security. Working with students here in the Lowcountry to help change lives, he has also worked closely with several of the local school districts to promote STEM in K12 through several initiatives such as Science Fair, First Robotics, VEX, Dual Credit, and Guest Speaker series. A graduate of North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University in which he holds a Bachelors and Masters of Science in Biology, he has a passion for education and helping students see what opportunities they have in the future in technical fields. He is the Campus Director of Academic Affairs for the ECPI University Charleston Campus and believes in supporting the community at all times. He has served on the Charleston Defense Contractors Education subcommittee for several years and looks forward now to making an impact with Charleston Engineers Joint Council with students through the promotion of Engineering as a viable career to pursue in their future.
Ron Neil has over 15 years of experience with higher education with ECPI University helping to create the workforce of the future in Manufacturing, Mechatronics, and Cyber Security. Working with students here in the Lowcountry to help change lives, he has also worked closely with several of the local school districts to promote STEM in K12 through several initiatives such as Science Fair, First Robotics, VEX, Dual Credit, and Guest Speaker series. A graduate of North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University in which he holds a Bachelors and Masters of Science in Biology, he has a passion for education and helping students see what opportunities they have in the future in technical fields. He is the Campus Director of Academic Affairs for the ECPI University Charleston Campus and believes in supporting the community at all times. He has served on the Charleston Defense Contractors Education subcommittee for several years and looks forward now to making an impact with Charleston Engineers Joint Council with students through the promotion of Engineering as a viable career to pursue in their future.
John Peeples, Past Chair
A native South Carolinian, John Peeples graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering from The Citadel. After a tour of duty as an officer in the United States Air Force, he completed his masters and PhD in Electrical Engineering at the University of South Carolina. Peeples entered the computer industry with NCR Corporation in 1976. He left NCR as Assistant Vice President of Technology to co-found KryoTech, Inc. in Columbia, SC in 1996. In August 1999 Peeples joined the Electrical and Computer Engineering faculty at The Citadel. After 12 years of service as head, Peeples returned to the classroom where his teaching and scholarly interest focused on Solid State Devices and Energy Systems Engineering. He was the longtime director and instructor of the two-semester capstone sequence in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Peeples retired from full-time teaching in July 2022 but continues to teach college-credit Physics at Charleston area high school. Since January 2015 Peeples has served the State of South Carolina as a member of the SC Board of Registration of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, including two years as its chair. Peeples is a professional engineer, a member of the engineering honor society Tau Beta Pi, and a senior life member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). He is a patent holder, author of numerous technical papers, journal articles, symposium proceedings and two book chapters, and is an active speaker at professional and technical venues. Peeples is the 2019 recipient of the international Robert Janowiak award, for leadership and service to electrical and computer engineering education, was honored by a Citadel EE graduate with a named full scholarship for ECE students at The Citadel, received the 2022 Palmetto Medal, one of The Citadel’s highest honors, and was named the 2020 Engineer of the Year in the Charleston area.
A native South Carolinian, John Peeples graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering from The Citadel. After a tour of duty as an officer in the United States Air Force, he completed his masters and PhD in Electrical Engineering at the University of South Carolina. Peeples entered the computer industry with NCR Corporation in 1976. He left NCR as Assistant Vice President of Technology to co-found KryoTech, Inc. in Columbia, SC in 1996. In August 1999 Peeples joined the Electrical and Computer Engineering faculty at The Citadel. After 12 years of service as head, Peeples returned to the classroom where his teaching and scholarly interest focused on Solid State Devices and Energy Systems Engineering. He was the longtime director and instructor of the two-semester capstone sequence in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Peeples retired from full-time teaching in July 2022 but continues to teach college-credit Physics at Charleston area high school. Since January 2015 Peeples has served the State of South Carolina as a member of the SC Board of Registration of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, including two years as its chair. Peeples is a professional engineer, a member of the engineering honor society Tau Beta Pi, and a senior life member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). He is a patent holder, author of numerous technical papers, journal articles, symposium proceedings and two book chapters, and is an active speaker at professional and technical venues. Peeples is the 2019 recipient of the international Robert Janowiak award, for leadership and service to electrical and computer engineering education, was honored by a Citadel EE graduate with a named full scholarship for ECE students at The Citadel, received the 2022 Palmetto Medal, one of The Citadel’s highest honors, and was named the 2020 Engineer of the Year in the Charleston area.
FY25 Committee chairs
Abby Giordano, Banquet Chair
Pending
Pending
Sedrick Stewart, Educational Activities Chair
Sedrick Stewart is systems engineer at the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC). He is a native of Mississippi and graduate of the University of Mississippi (Go Rebels!) with engineering degrees in Computer Science. Sedrick is certified in security and systems engineering. He has been practicing engineering for over 15 years specializing in systems and networking engineering. He has worked for several companies including FedEx, the US Army, and US Navy. Outside of work, Sedrick is an avid volunteer in his community via NSBE and the Omega Psi Phi fraternity Inc. He wants to make sure all our youth know more of their options for careers after high school. He has also served as a youth football coach and referee. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, working out, and fishing…a lot. He also enjoys traveling. He has a goal to visit all 7 continents, with 3 more to go.
Sedrick Stewart is systems engineer at the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC). He is a native of Mississippi and graduate of the University of Mississippi (Go Rebels!) with engineering degrees in Computer Science. Sedrick is certified in security and systems engineering. He has been practicing engineering for over 15 years specializing in systems and networking engineering. He has worked for several companies including FedEx, the US Army, and US Navy. Outside of work, Sedrick is an avid volunteer in his community via NSBE and the Omega Psi Phi fraternity Inc. He wants to make sure all our youth know more of their options for careers after high school. He has also served as a youth football coach and referee. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, working out, and fishing…a lot. He also enjoys traveling. He has a goal to visit all 7 continents, with 3 more to go.
Shawn Gordon, Endowment Committee Chair
Shawn Gordon is a 24-year veteran of the United States Air Force serving in a variety of engineering and project/program management positions during his tenure as an aerospace professional. His experience spans a myriad of weapon systems acquisition and logistic support programs, satellite operations, space telemetry, tracking, & control ground systems, electronic warfare/information operations, modeling and simulation, C4I sustainment, and weapons of mass destruction test & evaluation and survivability management.Shawn is a certified Project Management Professional via the Project Management Institute, has a Systems Engineering certification from the Air Force Institute of Technology, and amassed many other professional training credentials during the course of his career building a vast reservoir of knowledge and skills. He holds Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Level III certification in three disciplines - Project Management, Systems Procurement Research & Development Engineering, and Test & Evaluation, as well as Level I certification in Logistics, all obtained through the Defense Acquisition University. A host of leadership experiences, along with these education and training opportunities, augment a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University and dual Masters of Arts in Procurement & Acquisition Management and Space Systems Management through Webster University. Following retirement from the USAF Shawn has taken a career hiatus to serve as caregiver for an elderly parent. He continues to give back to his profession and community through active membership in professional organizations and his fraternity holding various executive positions in local chapters.
Shawn Gordon is a 24-year veteran of the United States Air Force serving in a variety of engineering and project/program management positions during his tenure as an aerospace professional. His experience spans a myriad of weapon systems acquisition and logistic support programs, satellite operations, space telemetry, tracking, & control ground systems, electronic warfare/information operations, modeling and simulation, C4I sustainment, and weapons of mass destruction test & evaluation and survivability management.Shawn is a certified Project Management Professional via the Project Management Institute, has a Systems Engineering certification from the Air Force Institute of Technology, and amassed many other professional training credentials during the course of his career building a vast reservoir of knowledge and skills. He holds Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Level III certification in three disciplines - Project Management, Systems Procurement Research & Development Engineering, and Test & Evaluation, as well as Level I certification in Logistics, all obtained through the Defense Acquisition University. A host of leadership experiences, along with these education and training opportunities, augment a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University and dual Masters of Arts in Procurement & Acquisition Management and Space Systems Management through Webster University. Following retirement from the USAF Shawn has taken a career hiatus to serve as caregiver for an elderly parent. He continues to give back to his profession and community through active membership in professional organizations and his fraternity holding various executive positions in local chapters.
Ronald M Neil IV, Marketing Chair
Ron Neil is a dedicated engineering professional with over two years of experience in network engineering, systems integration, and project management. He has a strong foundation in troubleshooting network issues, coordinating with technical teams, and ensuring optimal performance for mission-critical systems. Ron's education includes an associate degree in science from Guilford Technical Community College in Greensboro, NC, and a B.S. in mechanical engineering from North Carolina A&T University, where he honed his analytical and problem-solving skills. In his role at the Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic (NIWC LANT), Ron is committed to enhancing network reliability and supporting national defense efforts. He brings a detail-oriented approach to his work, focusing on efficient processes and effective communication within interdisciplinary teams.
Looking ahead, Ron plans to pursue an MBA to further refine his leadership and business acumen, aspiring to move into higher-level management roles. Outside of work, he values spending quality time with friends and family, enjoys playing sports, and has a passion for traveling the world. His love for exploring new cultures and environments drives his curiosity and adaptability, qualities he brings to both his personal life and professional pursuits.
Ron Neil is a dedicated engineering professional with over two years of experience in network engineering, systems integration, and project management. He has a strong foundation in troubleshooting network issues, coordinating with technical teams, and ensuring optimal performance for mission-critical systems. Ron's education includes an associate degree in science from Guilford Technical Community College in Greensboro, NC, and a B.S. in mechanical engineering from North Carolina A&T University, where he honed his analytical and problem-solving skills. In his role at the Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic (NIWC LANT), Ron is committed to enhancing network reliability and supporting national defense efforts. He brings a detail-oriented approach to his work, focusing on efficient processes and effective communication within interdisciplinary teams.
Looking ahead, Ron plans to pursue an MBA to further refine his leadership and business acumen, aspiring to move into higher-level management roles. Outside of work, he values spending quality time with friends and family, enjoys playing sports, and has a passion for traveling the world. His love for exploring new cultures and environments drives his curiosity and adaptability, qualities he brings to both his personal life and professional pursuits.