Five professionals with ties to Missouri University of Science and Technology were inducted into the Missouri S&T Academy of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineers during an induction ceremony held Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, on the S&T campus.
The academy recognizes outstanding alumni for their professional achievement and success. It also provides support and experience to help the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department at Missouri S&T reach its collective mission and values.
New members are:
Darryl L. Brinkmann of Rolla, Missouri, retiree from Caterpillar Inc., earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Missouri S&T in 1978. Starting while he was still a student at UMR, Darryl worked 36 years for Caterpillar Inc. in various Manufacturing, Planning, Purchasing, HR, Engineering, and IT roles. He retired in 2010 and moved to his farm outside of Rolla. In 2011, Darryl went to work for Missouri S&T as an Adjunct Instructor in the Business Department, where he taught various Business and MBA classes for six years. Since retiring to Rolla, Darryl has been the chapter advisor to the Teke fraternity, worked with local organizations, including the Community Partnership and the Phelps County Food Distribution, mentoring students at the Rolla Junior High, and been very active with his church. Besides traveling to visit family and friends, Darryl and Robin have visited all 50 states since his retirement. He loves to work on his farm with a chainsaw or his Cat skid loader.
W. Talion Edwards of Wentzville, Missouri, Senior Technical Fellow for 3D Measurement and Reverse Engineering and Chief Engineer for the Boeing Product Teardown Team in Boeing Research and Technology, earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Missouri S&T in 1997. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Coordinate Metrology Society (CMS), where he founded an effort to establish a central industry certification for measurement practitioners. He holds 25 U.S. patents on topics including 3D imaging, X-ray backscatter, non-destructive evaluation, FOD detection, and feature recognition.
Jacopo Frigerio of Littleton, Colorado, retiree from Lockheed Martin Space, earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering in 1993, and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1995 from Missouri S&T. After graduating from UMR, Jacopo began his career at Lockheed Martin Space in Denver, CO, where he spent his 25-year career designing, developing, testing, qualifying, and deploying space flight hardware. Some highlights of his career include supporting the Atlas and Titan Centaur upper stage propulsion program specializing in the RL-10 engine, leading the design and development of the Hubble Space Telescope Soft Capture Mechanism (SCM), developing and managing the Common Products Program, and serving as the Orion European Service Module (ESM) Main Engine (OMS-E/AJ10) Certified Principle Engineer (CPE). He is also a graduate of Lockheed Martin’s very selective Advanced Technical Leadership Program.
Jeffrey Seaman of Petersburg, Michigan, Chief Program Engineer – P800 of Ford Motor Company, earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Missouri S&T in 2000. Jeff grew up passionate about cars and engineering. His father Robert L. Seaman, a fellow mechanical engineering academy member encouraged and supported Jeff as he attended University of Missouri-Rolla and started his professional career at Ford Motor Company in powertrain engineering. He served as the lead calibrator on the Coyote (New 5.0L) engine and Boss 302 Program. During this time, he led the innovation of the industry first TracKey and Aggressive Decel Fuel Shut-Off technologies. In 2017, he moved to Melbourne, Australia, to become the program manager for the Ranger and Everest programs, which launched in 6 plants across the globe, including the return of the Ranger product in the U.S. Market. Upon return to the U.S., Jeff took responsibility for the Ford Bronco and led the development of the “Modularity” functionality – which was industry first and allowed for significant advancements in customization. Jeff has received multiple patents for this concept and the development of accessories built upon this strategy. Building upon the success of the Bronco, Jeff was appointed as the Icons Regional Product Line Manager, leading Mustang, Bronco, Bronco Sport Raptor, and the Ford GT programs as numerous special editions (such as Dark Horse and Bronco Everglades) were designed, developed, and launched. Most recently, Jeff is the Chief Program Engineer for the T3 “Trust The Truck” program, the next generation Ford Electric Truck program to be built in Tennessee.
Mike E Shin of Dallas, Texas, Vice President of Supply Chain in Trinity Rail Industries, earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Missouri S&T in 1987. Upon graduating from UMR, Mike began his career with GE, where he progressed from manufacturing engineer to Director of Supply Chain. After GE, from 2001 to the present, Mike served as the VP and Global Head of Supply Chain for iconic American Corporations: Stanley Tools, Remington Firearms & Ammo, Gibson Guitars, FLIR systems, and currently as the VP of Supply Chain for Trinity Rail Industries. Mike’s vision is to retire from business and settle on a farm in Phelps County. Mike started a software company where he will serve as Founder and Chairman while contributing to the Rolla community. He plans to support Missouri S&T, RHS Rolla High School, and Newburg School District. His goal is to create manufacturing and technology jobs in Phelps County by leveraging the talent and intellectual strength of Missouri S&T.