The Purdue Technology Alumni Board (PTAB) serves a vital role in supporting the Purdue Polytechnic Institute (formerly College of Technology). The board's mission is to:
- Support the ongoing efforts and initiatives of the Purdue Polytechnic Institute.
- Facilitate effective communication between the college and its alumni.
- Provide programs and opportunities for professional growth.
- Strengthen and enhance relationships between alumni, the University, and the Purdue Alumni Association.
As a PTAB member, you are expected to:
- Attend at least 75% of the monthly board meetings, either in person or virtually.
- Actively participate in the annual planning meetings.
- Contribute your time to serve at events and programs.
- Adhere to the Bylaws and Membership Agreement throughout your three-year term.
PTAB’s operating expenses are funded in-part through a dues-sharing agreement with the Purdue Alumni Association. Past examples of how that funding has been used to support Technology alumni are through professional development through a virtual Alumni Speaker Series, on-campus events like football tailgates, off campus events in Chicago and Indianapolis, and student support of graduation gifts.
For additional information, please contact Erin Perdue, alumni engagement officer, at 765-494-8763 or elperdue@purdueforlife.org.
Executive Team
Kirti Chintalapudi
Board President
Chief of Staff, Hofincons Group
Kirti Chintalapudi is a Chief of Staff at Hofincons Group, a company that specializes in Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) and Maintenance & Integrity Management. In her current role, Kirti is responsible for providing critical support to the CEO and managing high-priority projects to optimize operations and drive business growth.
Prior to joining Hofincons Group, Kirti worked as a Program Manager at Western Digital and Apple, where she honed her skills in New Product Development and Cross-Functional Team Leadership. She has a Masters and Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering Technology from Purdue University.
In addition to corporate endeavors, Kirti serves as the Vice President of the Purdue Technology Alumni Board. Kirti is also a certified yoga instructor with a passion for wellness and mindfulness. Outside of work, she values spending quality time with her family including her French bulldog, Zuko.
Steve Wake
Board Vice President
Sr. Manager, Business Intelligence
Microsoft Business Intelligence specialist working to help integrate and use the Microsoft BI stack in the best way possible.
Steve Wake is a BI Architect/Developer with more than 20 years of experience in various IT organizations. Steve is a Microsoft Certified Professional with an MCSE in SQL Server 2012 Business Intelligence and MCITP in SQL Server 2008 Business Intelligence. Steve has experience in Consulting, Manufacturing, Retail, Restaurants, Charities, Telecommunications and Financial Services organizations. Steve is also very involved in the local community, speaking at events around the world and is currently Chapter Leader of the Mile Hi Power BI User Group. Steve blogs at wakebi.com and is on active on Twitter (@stevewake), LinkedIn, Facebook and Google+.
Specialties: Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services, Microsoft Power BI, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services, Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services, MDX, DAX, Microsoft .NET, C#, ASP .NET
Carlos Simpson
Board Secretary
Information Technology Recruiter, Elevance Health
Carlos Simpson is a Human Resources professional with extensive experience and expertise in corporate recruiting. His experience includes, but not limited to, interviewing, salary negotiations, recruiting costs and analysis, and utilizing various ATS and HRIS systems.
Dependability is an asset, which complements a level of charisma that Carlos brings to any organization that he’s a part of. He’s a proven leader with an ability to educate while serving as a mentor for junior associates.
Giving back to the community has always been a core value for Carlos as well. For the past 13 years, Carlos has served on the board of the downtown Indianapolis Sertoma Club and in November, 2014, he was appointed to the Indianapolis Greenways Development Committee by the Indianapolis City County Council. He currently serves as Secretary of the Indianapolis Greenways Development Committee.
Carlos also oversees the operations of his family’s small residential real estate company, JOCEF Properties, LLC.
Michael E. Johnston, DM, MBA, FACHE
Board ex officio board President
President, Southern Market, Allina Health
Michael Johnston is President Southern Market for the Allina Healthcare System. Michael’s varied career includes both health care and manufacturing to include running hospital networks specifically focused on leadership development and coaching.
Michael has been instrumental in positioning previous healthcare systems as leaders in developing and implementing management systems for their hospital networks. Under Michael’s leadership, these hospitals have achieved consistent improvement in patient quality metrics and unit cost expense reduction. Michael is a frequent speaker on operations leadership and lean topics to include trends, issues, and success strategies. Michael has spoken at both industry and health care conferences in the U.S. and Europe for organizations such as the Lean Six-Sigma World Conference, ASQ World Conference, Center for Lean Education and Research, Catalysis, PLAN, APICS, Rural Health Care Conference, HVN, Rieter International Leadership Conference, BAMA and TEAM (Toyota Europe Automotive Manufacturers).
Michael has a wife Sarah and three children Kirsten, Thomas, and Evie.
Michael has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Purdue University in Organizational Leadership and Supervision, his Master's in Business Administration from Thomas More College as well as his Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership.
Members
Faizan Ali Siddiqi
Board Member
MD, Brandverse
Global experience and expertise in:
- Digital B2B, B2C, C2C Product Development (digital products and digital channel enablement in agile and waterfall environments)
- Marketing Science and Ad Networks Scaling (digital, automation, data driven, cross-channel with client and agency experience)
- Big Data and Analytics ( standing up teams to solve complex analytical problems and develop long term capabilities)
- Complex operational roll outs expertise (setting up and launching global centers of excellence to solve complex technical and operational items including offshore tax)
- Transformation of Supply chain and 3PL operations by technology enablement and operational restructuring.
In my professional career I have worked to develop strategic growth opportunities in developed, conflict and post conflict economies and have a successful track-record of exceeding growth, scaling and financial targets. I have built innovative digital products,(featured at Google I/O), implemented and optimized digital service experiences, with a specialty on the application of big data and ideation to solve emerging challenges in media, digital ad-tech, 3PL and First/Last Mile operations.
I have execution experience in and around digital transformation, product development, customer experience, loyalty, big data, AI, marketing automation and innovation. I am equally comfortable in corporate and startup environments, I have had the good fortune to add value in different scenarios from Turn-Arounds to IPOs.
I have built from the ground up and managed teams up to a 1000, along with complex internal and external relationships and multi country settings with onshore, near-shore and offshore setups. I have operated in multiple global locations and served on global boards of organizations, managing high performance teams mentoring them to collaborate for exceptional results. I have been responsible for managing global government , stake holder and investor relations.
I enjoy culinary arts
I enjoy mentoring startups
I am an ENTJ
I am an avid bungee jumper
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Adam Ashouri
Board Member
Senior Project Manager, Meyer Najem Construction
The 16th person in his family to attend Purdue University, Adam Ashouri is a Boilermaker through-and-through. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management in 2014, Adam has worked in the Construction Industry for going on ten years. He is currently a Senior Project Manager at Meyer-Najem Construction, which serves commercial clients in the Indianapolis, Indiana area. His experience includes projects in the healthcare, advanced manufacturing, pharmaceutical, higher education, and K-12 market segments.
Adam takes pride in tackling complex, mission-critical projects and delivering them safely, on time, and within budget. In addition to his professional duties, Adam has served other community organizations including Friends of Riley, the American Society for Healthcare Engineering, and the Indiana Society for Healthcare Engineering. He continued his studies in 2018, earning an MBA from Butler University in 2020.
Adam lives in Indianapolis, IN with his wife, Ashley. They both recently welcomed their first born, Cameron, to their family in May 2022. When Adam isn’t working, you’ll find him golfing, enjoying the outdoors, cooking something on his smoker, or rooting on the Boilermakers.
Ibidayo Awosola
Board Member
Project/Program Manager, Infosys
I am an ambitious and innovative Technology Leader with a practical "get things done" mindset. My experience in project and program management, as well as the implementation and support of information communication technology, has enabled me to consistently meet or exceed business objectives in multiple industries. My passion for learning drives me to expand my knowledge and skills, and to continuously work to innovate and create technological solutions that will advance businesses and make the world a better place.
Outside of work, I value work/life balance and devote time to activities I enjoy, such as grilling, dancing, traveling with family and friends, and volunteering with NGOs and non-profit organizations that are dedicated to bridging the technological divide. I am an outgoing person who enjoys meeting new people and hearing different perspectives. If you need a mentor, coach, or want to discuss innovation, leadership, passion and purpose, or success principles, please feel free to reach out to me.
Leon A. Bogucki
Board Member
Product EngineerProduct Engineer, Jaeger-Unitek
As for a current resume, my LinkedIn profile would be the best information and most up to date.
I graduated from Purdue in May 1997. I have a BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology. I also have an AS in Computer Integrated Manufacturing Technology and an AS in Mechanical Engineering Technology. I obtained all of these from Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
Cooper Burleson
Board Member
Commercial Low-Earth Orbit Development Program (CLDP) Program Integrator – ENII, Barrios Technology, LTD
A Graduate of Purdue University’s College of Technology with a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering Technology and an M.S. in Aerospace Management, Cooper’s field of expertise lies in mission operations and planning as well as and commercial platform operations and development.
Cooper has previously worked in Washington D.C. at the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, where he oversaw the drafting of new-age commercial space policy pertaining to the commercialization of the International Space Station, as well as coordinated the launch of Moon Express’s TM MX-model Lunar Landers. In 2020, Cooper started work in Houston at NASA’s Mission Control at Johnson Space Center as a Lead Increment Engineer under the HSFTIC Contract overseeing the development and execution of NASA’s 65th ISS Increment.
Most recently, Cooper has been promoted to the HSFTIC Program Integrator for NASA’s Commercial LEO Development Program (CLDP) which aims to cultivate new commercial opportunities (PAM), destinations (CDFF), and other NASA / Private Space work in Low-Earth Orbit as the ISS approaches its retirement in 2030. In this role, he oversees a team of 25+ NASA contractors in all Program Offices of the CLDP.
Adela Creasy
Board Member
Senior Director, Strategic Innovations, Midcontinent Independent System Operator
Adela Creasy leads Strategic Innovations at the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), overseeing functions that promotes the identification and application of emerging technologies to advance MISO business solutions. Her team’s mission is to accelerate the transformation of MISO collectively as a function to reduce and advise where the organization can place their big bets, and where they should not.
Creasy is well-noted for her vision on innovation activities that are essential to the planning process to inform future opportunities, support transformation, and deliver on near-term needs for grid operations of the future. She has a strong strategic, process oriented, and creative viewpoint.
Creasy joined MISO in 2018, and has served in leadership positions within Digital Technology, Strategic Innovations, and Strategy. Prior to MISO, she held various IT Security and Consulting roles at Fortune 500 companies.
At MISO, Creasy has led multiple strategic initiatives including the development of the digital strategy, advancing MISO’s innovation strategy, and, most recently, MISO’s uncertainty management and attributes work. Her knowledge and experience in the field of information technology and security enabled her to lead MISO’s portfolio and project management division where she improved operational excellence through business capabilities.
Creasy holds a BS degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology from Purdue University and serves as a board member for Teachers Credit Union.
Sean Eckhart
Board Member
Deal Enablement Head, Siemens Digital Industries
As innovative technology and rapid development continue to accelerate the way we produce, engage, and operate, our community is working to identify new business models in the IT/OT space that effectively deliver the capabilities within the Siemens portfolio and our partner ecosystem.
Laura Horsky
Board Member
Customer Solutions Manager, Amazon Web Services
Laura Horsky (2001 CPT) is a Sr. Customer Solutions Manager and Principal CSM at Amazon Web Services. She leads a team of Customer Solutions Managers supporting Global Financial Services organizations to accelerate customer’s cloud journey to drive business value. Spanning Financial Services, Private, and Public sector, Laura’s career has focused on Infrastructure, Business Resiliency, Network Operations, Security, and Service Management. She holds a Master’s in IT Security from University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Laura resides in Charlotte, NC with her husband Kevin and two daughters Anna and Kelsey.
Miki Thomas Ishikawa
Board Member
Director, Learning Experience, OpenText
Intuitive, visionary development director with more than 20 years of progressive experience transforming user experiences and improving training efficacy. Leverages background in eLearning, web-applications, and marketing services to define unique learning environments for a diverse portfolio of Fortune 500 clients. Results-driven leader who engages with key stakeholders to solve complex industry challenges and deliver robust training catalogs that optimize skills and performance.
Mark S LeMire
Board Member
Chief Executive Officer, Rapidair Products
A mission-focused professional with more than 25 years of progressive experience encompassing executive leadership, P&L management, financial growth, and talent development. Expertise in change management; evaluating, designing, implementing and managing business strategy, structure and processes to drive increased team and financial performance. Adept at establishing, aligning, and monitoring performance to business and individual objectives. Proven ability to partner across all functional areas of the organization.
Tomas Turriff-Ortega
Board Member
Engineering Group, CEVA Logistics
Bilingual engineering professional with a passion for developing sustainable solutions and multidisciplinary problem-solving.