FY23 Officers
Jennifer Meador, Chair
Jennifer is Research Engineer in Performance Materials with the Ingevity Corporation, focusing on manufacturing tooling and additive manufacturing. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Tennessee Technological University in 2001 and her Master of Science of Paper Science and Engineering from the Institute of Paper Science and Technology in 2003. She began her career in Charleston with the MeadWestvaco Paper Mill where she concentrated on process engineering and technical sales. After focusing several years on her family as a military spouse and mother, Jennifer and her family have returned to the Lowcountry to establish a permanent home. This is her first year as the Chair of the CEJC and as an officer with SWE Lowcountry as the Treasurer. She also supports the Charleston Southern University College of Engineering as the Chairperson of the Advisory Board. She enjoys volunteering, being creative, and running in her spare time.
Jennifer is Research Engineer in Performance Materials with the Ingevity Corporation, focusing on manufacturing tooling and additive manufacturing. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Tennessee Technological University in 2001 and her Master of Science of Paper Science and Engineering from the Institute of Paper Science and Technology in 2003. She began her career in Charleston with the MeadWestvaco Paper Mill where she concentrated on process engineering and technical sales. After focusing several years on her family as a military spouse and mother, Jennifer and her family have returned to the Lowcountry to establish a permanent home. This is her first year as the Chair of the CEJC and as an officer with SWE Lowcountry as the Treasurer. She also supports the Charleston Southern University College of Engineering as the Chairperson of the Advisory Board. She enjoys volunteering, being creative, and running in her spare time.
Cory Hank, Treasurer
Cory Hank is an engineering professional with over twelve years’ experience in process engineering, product development, continuous improvement, and project implementation. Cory earned a BS in chemical engineering from Virginia Tech, as well as an MBA from The University of South Carolina, and has worked for multiple globally recognized companies. He began his career in Pulp and Paper at Georgia-Pacific as process engineer and held multiple roles including reliability engineer and manufacturing area superintendent. Cory relocated to Charleston in 2019 to work for Dupont, where he was involved in the design and startup of several new manufacturing operations at their site near Moncks Corner, SC.
Cory now works for InventWood as Product Development Manager, where he is responsible for identifying new opportunities for products from concept to distribution. Cory also serves as a consultant for startup manufacturing companies where he utilizes his past knowledge and experience to advise on decisions around process scaleup, manufacturing best practices, and paths to market for various products. Cory is a member of AICHE, as well as ASME, for which he serves as Chair. In his free time, Cory enjoys spending time with his family, as well as surfing, camping, and backpacking.
Cory Hank is an engineering professional with over twelve years’ experience in process engineering, product development, continuous improvement, and project implementation. Cory earned a BS in chemical engineering from Virginia Tech, as well as an MBA from The University of South Carolina, and has worked for multiple globally recognized companies. He began his career in Pulp and Paper at Georgia-Pacific as process engineer and held multiple roles including reliability engineer and manufacturing area superintendent. Cory relocated to Charleston in 2019 to work for Dupont, where he was involved in the design and startup of several new manufacturing operations at their site near Moncks Corner, SC.
Cory now works for InventWood as Product Development Manager, where he is responsible for identifying new opportunities for products from concept to distribution. Cory also serves as a consultant for startup manufacturing companies where he utilizes his past knowledge and experience to advise on decisions around process scaleup, manufacturing best practices, and paths to market for various products. Cory is a member of AICHE, as well as ASME, for which he serves as Chair. In his free time, Cory enjoys spending time with his family, as well as surfing, camping, and backpacking.
Tim Cuzmar, Secretary
Mr. Cuzmar is a Project Manager working for Kyndryl (formerly the Global Technology Services Division of IBM) who has 20+ years’ experience working as a consultant in both the private and public sectors.
Prior to working in the private sector, he served in the Marine Corps where he worked logistics and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom II in 2004. Mr Cuzmar’s Alma Mater for Undergrad is College of Charleston (’04) & is currently at USC Darla Moore School’s Professional Master Professional Business Administration Program.
He currently resides in Downtown Charleston with his wife, 2 year old daughter and 2 pups.
Mr. Cuzmar is a Project Manager working for Kyndryl (formerly the Global Technology Services Division of IBM) who has 20+ years’ experience working as a consultant in both the private and public sectors.
Prior to working in the private sector, he served in the Marine Corps where he worked logistics and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom II in 2004. Mr Cuzmar’s Alma Mater for Undergrad is College of Charleston (’04) & is currently at USC Darla Moore School’s Professional Master Professional Business Administration Program.
He currently resides in Downtown Charleston with his wife, 2 year old daughter and 2 pups.
Karl Krull, Past Chair
Karl Krull has a vast background in manufacturing across numerous capacities including Production, Logistics, Shipping/Receiving/Warehousing, Product Development, and Human Resources. His experience covers the paper converting, hydraulic valve, and automotive industries.
Karl earned both his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering and his MBA from Clemson University. He started his career manufacturing milk and juice cartons in Raleigh, NC followed by hydraulic valves in Upstate, SC. Karl then worked in the automotive industry in Logistics Operations before moving to Human Resources. He then moved to the public sector to serve the state of South Carolina in a talent management capacity. He currently is the Director of Business Development for SC Biz News, a media and publication company.
Karl holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI), a Six Sigma Green Belt Certification (CSSGB) from the American Society for Quality (ASQ), a Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) credential from APICS, and is a SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) from SHRM.
Karl has served on several Lowcountry educational institution and STEM community advisory boards including The Citadel’s Mechanical Engineering Program, the Lowcountry Stem Collaborative, and the Trident Technical College Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Technology Programs. He is currently serving as the chair of the American Society for Quality Charleston Section 1122, a role which he served in for 2018 and 2021. Karl also currently leads the Charleston Engineers Joint Council as its chairman, a role he’s served in since 2018. Karl recently began serving on the Board of Directors for FIRST SC, a robotics organization in South Carolina. Karl also is the Vice President and Director of Operations for the Charleston Peninsula Preservation Trust, the non-profit organization that promotes and produces the 2nd Sunday on King Street event.
Karl Krull has a vast background in manufacturing across numerous capacities including Production, Logistics, Shipping/Receiving/Warehousing, Product Development, and Human Resources. His experience covers the paper converting, hydraulic valve, and automotive industries.
Karl earned both his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering and his MBA from Clemson University. He started his career manufacturing milk and juice cartons in Raleigh, NC followed by hydraulic valves in Upstate, SC. Karl then worked in the automotive industry in Logistics Operations before moving to Human Resources. He then moved to the public sector to serve the state of South Carolina in a talent management capacity. He currently is the Director of Business Development for SC Biz News, a media and publication company.
Karl holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI), a Six Sigma Green Belt Certification (CSSGB) from the American Society for Quality (ASQ), a Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) credential from APICS, and is a SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) from SHRM.
Karl has served on several Lowcountry educational institution and STEM community advisory boards including The Citadel’s Mechanical Engineering Program, the Lowcountry Stem Collaborative, and the Trident Technical College Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Technology Programs. He is currently serving as the chair of the American Society for Quality Charleston Section 1122, a role which he served in for 2018 and 2021. Karl also currently leads the Charleston Engineers Joint Council as its chairman, a role he’s served in since 2018. Karl recently began serving on the Board of Directors for FIRST SC, a robotics organization in South Carolina. Karl also is the Vice President and Director of Operations for the Charleston Peninsula Preservation Trust, the non-profit organization that promotes and produces the 2nd Sunday on King Street event.
FY23 Committee chairs
Ronald Neil, Educational Activities Chair (position description)
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.
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.
Swanagan Ray, Marketing Chair
Swanagan Ray is an engineering professional with over 8 years’ experience in control systems engineering, electrical engineering, and operations management. Swanagan earned a B.S. in electrical engineering from Ohio University and is currently working on an MBA from the Quantic School of Business and Technology. He began his career at DuPont in Parkersburg, WV as a control systems engineer across several businesses and operating facilities. Swanagan relocated to Charleston in 2019 to work for Dupont, where he was the automation and controls engineer, electrical engineer, as well as the Hytrel production area operations manager at the Cooper River site.
After working for Boston-based robotics company, Symbotic, Swanagan now works for defense contractor, TIAG, as the Director of Industrial Controls, where his focus is building the operational technology capability within the company. Swanagan is a SC registered professional engineer and a member of IEEE. In his free time, Swanagan can be found spending time with family, performing music throughout Charleston, and spending time outdoors.
Swanagan Ray is an engineering professional with over 8 years’ experience in control systems engineering, electrical engineering, and operations management. Swanagan earned a B.S. in electrical engineering from Ohio University and is currently working on an MBA from the Quantic School of Business and Technology. He began his career at DuPont in Parkersburg, WV as a control systems engineer across several businesses and operating facilities. Swanagan relocated to Charleston in 2019 to work for Dupont, where he was the automation and controls engineer, electrical engineer, as well as the Hytrel production area operations manager at the Cooper River site.
After working for Boston-based robotics company, Symbotic, Swanagan now works for defense contractor, TIAG, as the Director of Industrial Controls, where his focus is building the operational technology capability within the company. Swanagan is a SC registered professional engineer and a member of IEEE. In his free time, Swanagan can be found spending time with family, performing music throughout Charleston, and spending time outdoors.