2005 Academy of Distinguished Alumni Announced

As a way of recognizing the accomplishments and careers of our outstanding alumni, the Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering established the Academy of Distinguished Alumni in 2004. The Academy’s purpose is to recognize high-achieving mechanical engineers from among the UT Austin community and from the engineering community at large, to champion the mechanical engineering profession and to build a strong community and facilitate interactions among our students, faculty, alumni and corporate partners.

This year’s honorees include:

Cathy Foerster

Distinguished Mechanical Engineer
BSME, The University of Texas at Austin, with Highest Honors, 1977

Cathy Foerster earned a BSME degree with highest honors from The University of Texas in 1977 and then joined Exxon Company USA in Houston, where she worked as a reservoir engineer for various Gulf Coast fields. She subsequently worked as a facilities engineer on gas transmission lines and compressor stations in South Texas. 

In 1979 she left Exxon to work for ARCO as an operations engineer in various South Texas fields.  She was promoted to Area Engineer in 1982. In 1987 she transferred to ARCO headquarters in Dallas, serving as liaison between the South Texas District and ARCO’s executive management. In this role she advocated for approval of the district’s major projects. In 1989 she transferred to ARCO’s research center in Plano, where she managed several production engineering groups. 

In 1992 Cathy moved to ARCO Alaska to take on new challenges, initially serving as operations superintendent for wellwork and drillsite maintenance at Prudhoe Bay, then the largest oil field in North America. In 1994 she switched to an Anchorage assignment, managing the engineers and geoscientists responsible for developing new field discoveries and optimizing production from Kuparuk, then the second largest oil field in North America.  In 1998, seeking a different role, she was given the opportunity to work as a lobbyist for ARCO. 

When ARCO was acquired by BP in 2000, Cathy became the project manager for the design and construction of the BP Energy Center, a highly innovative community center for non-profit organizations. Cathy left BP in 2002 to work as an engineering consultant. 

In 2005, the governor of Alaska appointed Cathy to serve as the engineering commissioner for the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, an agency similar to the oil and gas section of the Texas Railroad Commission. In that position she advocated for better federal compliance with Alaska regulations, updating and strengthening Alaska’s hydraulic fracturing regulations, and determining appropriate reservoir management for major gas sales from the North Slope of Alaska.

In 2008, Cathy was named to the Athena Society, a national organization of business professionals who are recognized for mentoring young women. Also in 2008, she was named a Distinguished Graduate of The University of Texas College of Engineering.

Throughout her career, Cathy has kept strong ties to The University of Texas as a corporate recruiter of engineering graduates, a contributor to Friends of Alec since its creation, and one of the founders of the Texas Exes Alaska Chapter, where she currently serves as its president. She has led the Texas Exes in welcoming the cyclists of Texas4000 for Cancer Austin-to-Anchorage ride every year since the organization’s creation in 2004.

Cathy maintains an active spiritual life and has devoted countless hours volunteering in support of positive youth development and helping the needy, mentoring students and promoting their interests in math, science, and engineering, and mentoring young engineers, especially women, in dealing with the unique challenges of the oil and gas industry. She has organized volunteer activities for her office, for the Texas Exes, and for her church. She is an avid reader, outdoorswoman, and swimmer.

Cathy married her college sweetheart, Keith, and they have two sons, Kenny and Nate. Kenny is a family practice physician in Washington and Nate is the marketing director for an Alaska furniture company. Both are Eagle Scouts.

John Gully

Distinguished Mechanical Engineer
BSME, The University of Texas at Austin, 1975

John Gully has over 40 years experience managing organizations of increasing size and complexity, driving innovation in technical and management practices, and developing and delivering leading edge solutions and capabilities. He has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from The University of Texas at Austin and his technical expertise is in modeling and simulation, power systems, advanced engines, and robotics.

John worked for Science Applications International Corporation from 1998 – 2017. As the senior vice president for strategy and investments, he was responsible for developing and implementing the enterprise strategy for the company. Prior to that, he was general manager of the Army and Air Force Group with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). That organization includes about 3,000 professionals performing at over 50 locations across the country and abroad. His duties include P&L responsibility for about $1B in annual revenue. The key areas of focus for John include enterprise IT, engineering services, platform integration and logistics, readiness, and sustainment.

Prior to joining SAIC, John was deputy director, Tactical Technology Office (TTO), at Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) from 1994 – 1998. He managed an annual budget of $300 million and a staff of 23 program managers focused on developing advanced systems for aerospace, land, and maritime applications.

John worked at UT Austin for 23 years and served as the director of the Center for Electromechanics, where he directed advanced research for high power electrical systems, composite materials, mobility systems, and industrial process projects for military and commercial applications.

He is married to Rajean and has two sons, Benjamin and Michael. Ben earned a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from UT Austin. John and Rajean live in Huntsville, AL. They own a 900 acre farm and John enjoys hunting and fishing, community service and traveling.

Dale Klein

Honorary Mechanical Engineer
BSME, University of Missouri-Columbia, 1970
MSME, University of Missouri-Columbia, 1971
Ph.D., University of Missouri-Columbia, 1977

Dr. Dale E. Klein rejoined The University of Texas System in January of 2011 as associate vice chancellor for research in the Office of Academic Affairs. In April of 2010, after serving 8 ½ years as a presidential appointee, Dr. Klein returned to Texas from Washington, D.C., working at The University of Texas at Austin as the associate director of The Energy Institute, associate vice president for research, and a professor of mechanical engineering (nuclear program).

Dr. Klein was sworn into the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2006, and was appointed chairman by President George W. Bush, serving in that role from July 2006 to May 2009. As chairman, Dr. Klein was the principal executive officer and official spokesman for the NRC, responsible for conducting the administrative, organizational, long-range planning, budgetary, and certain personnel functions of the agency. Additionally, he had the ultimate authority for all NRC functions pertaining to an emergency involving an NRC licensee. The remainder of this term was as commissioner of the NRC from May 2009 to March 2010.

Before joining the NRC, Dr. Klein served as the assistant to the secretary of defense for nuclear, chemical and biological defense programs. He was appointed to this position by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the Senate in 2001. In this position, he served as the principal staff assistant and advisor to the secretary of defense, deputy secretary of defense, and the under secretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics for all policy and planning matters related to nuclear weapons and nuclear, chemical, and biological defense programs.

Previously, Dr. Klein served as the vice-chancellor for special engineering programs at The University of Texas System and as a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering (Nuclear Program) at The University of Texas at Austin. During his tenure at the university, Dr. Klein was director of the Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory, deputy director of the Center for Energy Studies, and associate dean for research and administration in the College of Engineering.

Honors and awards Dr. Klein has received include the Henry DeWolf Smyth Nuclear Statesman Award in 2011, Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the American Nuclear Society, Engineer of the Year for the State of Texas, the University of Missouri Faculty-Alumni Award, and the University of Missouri Honor Award for Distinguished Service in Engineering.

In addition to his academic assignments, Dr. Klein serves on the Board of the Southern Company and the Board of Pinnacle West/Arizona Public Service Company. He also serves on the Committee for Nuclear Power in the United Arab Emirates and chairs the Nuclear Reform Monitoring Committee for the Tokyo Electric Power Company following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident.

Kjell Knusten

Outstanding Young Mechanical Engineer
BSME, The University of Texas at Austin, 2002
Masters in Finance, London Business School, 2007

Kjell Knutsen conducts international negotiations in the pursuit and progress of large, multi-faceted capital projects for Exxon Mobil. The role provides a diverse set of challenges and the opportunity to work with people from every section of the world.

Kjell was born in Washington, D.C. to Richard and Kathryn Hougen Knutsen. During his tenure at DeMatha Catholic High School, Kjell was intensely interested in math, science and music, and was selected for the Maryland All-State band his junior year. Following his junior year, Kjell moved to Austin, Texas, graduating from Westlake High School in 1997.

Kjell pursued his interests in math and science in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Texas at Austin. The ME department transformed Kjell’s life by providing an engaging, challenging and productive environment, enabling him to foster his interests and forge life-long friendships. During his time at UT, Kjell contributed to several student organizations, including serving as president of Kappa Theta Epsilon and as a founding member of the Roden Leadership Program. While completing his studies, Kjell began his professional career at Dow Chemical Company.  He held various positions, including reliability and maintenance of turbomachinery, process control, and mechanical design. Kjell also had an international internship with Schlumberger in Paris, France, focusing on mechanical design and automation.

Leveraging his technical experience with Dow Chemical and Schlumberger, Kjell elected to pursue a career on the commercial side of the petrochemical business. He accepted a position with ExxonMobil Gas & Power Marketing in the summer of 2002. Over the course of his career, Kjell has held a number of positions, including analysis, negotiation and management. In fulfillment of his goal to work internationally, he was selected for an expatriate position in London, where he served several roles, including sales of liquefied natural gas imports from Qatar and as a supply manager for the German production affiliate. His evenings were spent at study, and he earned a Masters in Finance at London Business School in 2007.

Upon his return to the U.S., Kjell accepted a management position overseeing the global business analysis team for the power, gas and Asia Pacific business segments, followed by several engaging positions of increasing responsibility. He continues to utilize his professional interests and talents on the pursuit of collective problem solving and commercial agreements.

Kjell’s priority is and will always be his family.  Nicole Allen Knutsen and Kjell met at UT Austin. Their three beautiful and talented children, Aksel, Ingrid and Nadia, are aspiring Longhorns!  For leisure, Kjell is an avid basketball player with a special interest in marine ecology.

The Knutsen and Hougen families are grateful for a special and long-lasting relationship with UT. Ten immediate family members have graduated or worked at UT. Kjell’s grandfather, Joel O. Hougen, Ph.D. (Emeritus Professor, Chemical Engineering 1966-1980) provided the inspiration, support, and motivation for him to pursue his interest in engineering.

Frank Sebastian

Mechanical Engineering Hall of Fame
BSME, The University of Texas at Austin, 1944
MBA, Stanford University, 1948

Following receipt of a BSME degree in October 1944 courtesy of the Navy V-12 Program, the Navy sent Frank to Cornell for the Steam Engineering Course. He was almost booted out of midshipman’s school due to his limited eyesight, but the Navy finally changed his scheduled duty on a destroyer to duty in the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. After obtaining an MBA from Stanford in 1948 — where he met his wife, Barrie, and has lived and mostly worked nearby ever since — he started work in manufacturing at Shopsmith Home Woodworking Tools, then from 1961 until taking early executive retirement in 1985 from Envirotech Corp, latterly as Executive VP/Office of the Chairman. Frank became a lifetime member of AlChE, as many activities involved working with and on behalf of chemical engineers. Since then, he has been active in international trade with Projects International of Washington, D.C. as Senior VP, Projects International specializes in pro-active services for mostly U.S. companies that have a problem or need in a foreign country, such as finding a distributor, licensee, joint venture partner, or resolving a dispute with a foreign company or government.

Frank has served on several U.S. Government committees, primarily focusing on international environmental issues. These positions have included serving as a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Management Advisory Group of the Construction Grants Program, Director of four Commerce Department Trade Missions on US Environmental Technology to Japan and various European countries, and a member of the US EPA-USSR Working Party for Prevention of Industrial and Municipal Environmental Pollution, which has included more than a dozen annual meetings and site visits throughout the former Soviet Union. Frank was Co-Leader of the first U.S. business delegations to the People’s Republic of China in 1972 and the environmental representative on the First Commerce Department Executive Level Trade Mission to the former Soviet Union in 1973.

He has held a number of other directorships, including Chairman of the Environmental

Industry Council, President of the Water and Wastewater Equipment Manufacturers Association, and Director of California Council of International Trade.

Frank and Barrie live in the town of Atherton in Northern California, near Palo Alto. They have two children living in the San Francisco Bay Area and three grandchildren.

Nathaniel Sledge

Distinguished Mechanical Engineer
BSE, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY, 1979
MSME, The University of Texas at Austin, 1986
Ph.D., The University of Texas at Austin, 1997
MS Strategic Studies, United States Army War College, 2001

Nate Sledge served as a U.S. Army officer for over 28 years, achieving the rank of colonel. He commanded successfully from platoon through brigade-equivalent levels. In 2007, Nate retired from the Army and established his own management consulting and analysis firm, Trophy Management Solutions.

From 1977-1984, Nate served in armor and armored cavalry command and staff assignments in Germany, Korea, and the continental United States. In the mid-1980s, he also served as a mechanical engineering project manager for the M1A1/A2 Abrams Tanks in the Project Management Office for the Abrams Tank, Warren, Michigan. In 1991, the Army assigned Nate to the Operational Test and Evaluation Command, Alexandria, Virginia, where he served as the operational evaluator for all variants of the Abrams Tank.

From 1997-2000, Nate served as product manager, Bradley Carrier Systems in the Project Management Office for Bradley Fighting Vehicle Systems, Warren, Michigan. There he managed the development, testing, and production of the Command and Control Vehicle (C2V) and the M993 Multiple-Launched Rocket System (MLRS) Carrier. From 2001-2005, Nate served as the first project manager for Combat Ammunition Systems, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ. During this tour, he led the successful development and demonstration of the Excalibur precision-guided extended-range artillery projectile and the Precision Guidance Kit.

In November of 2003, the Army selected Nate as one of 21 Army officers to make up the initial cadre of U.S. Army Scientist and Engineer Corps. From 2005 to 2007, Nate served as the deputy director of investment in the Army Budget Office, Pentagon, Washington, DC, helping to manage the Army’s research, development and acquisition budget appropriations in support of overseas contingency operations.

From 2002-2004, Nate served on the advisory board for the UT Austin Department of Mechanical Engineering. Nate has presented at numerous conferences and published numerous papers in refereed journals and proceedings on diverse subjects. He is an award-winning essayist in public policy and strategic studies.

During his long and distinguished military service, Nate was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit Medal, and 20 other military decorations, including the Army Staff Badge, Ranger Tab, and Parachutist Badge.