2009 Distinguished Alumni of the Swanson School of Engineering
The Swanson School of Engineering has honored its top graduates through the Distinguished Alumni Awards since 1964.
Swanson School of Engineering Distinguished Alumnus
Stephen R. Tritch
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, 1971
Chairman, Westinghouse Electric Company
Pittsburgh, PA
Steve Tritch became Chairman of Westinghouse Electric Company on July 1, 2008. Prior to this, Tritch served as president and CEO since July, 2002.
Prior to his appointment as president and CEO, Tritch served as senior vice president, Nuclear Fuel, providing nuclear fuel products and services to nuclear power plants throughout the world. Prior to that, he successfully managed the integration of the former ABB nuclear businesses into Westinghouse Electric Company, and was senior vice president of Nuclear Services.
He has held numerous managerial and general manager positions since he began his Westinghouse career in 1971 as a product engineer in the former Power Circuit Breaker Division. In 1983 he joined the Westinghouse Research and Development Center as manager of Naval Ship Programs, acting as primary interface between Westinghouse divisions and major U.S. Navy shipyards. Later, Tritch served as manager of training and recruiting for the Westinghouse International Power Systems organization, marketing manager of the Nuclear and Advanced Technology Division, and manager of Government Systems in the Westinghouse Advanced Energy Systems Division. In 1991, he became manager of the Nuclear Safety Department and in 1992 he was appointed general manager of Engineering Technology.
He holds both a BS in mechanical engineering and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. He is a member of the American Nuclear Society and was appointed by President Bush to the President's Export Council.
Tritch is Chairman of the Swanson School of Engineering Board of Visitors and serves on the University of Pittsburgh Board of Trustees. He was named the Department of Mechanical Engineering Distinguished Alumnus in 2003, and was also named a Distinguished Alumni Fellow by the University.
He is Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Senator John Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, and serves on the Board of Trustees for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), United Way of Allegheny County, and Allegheny County Conference on Community Development. Tritch was named “Engineer of the Year” by the Pittsburgh Section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineering International and received the 2009 Metcalf Award from the Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania.
Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
Richard Baxendell
Bachelor of Science in Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, 1980
Planning, Bayer Material Science
Pittsburgh, PA
Following the completion of his Pitt degree, Richard Baxendell worked briefly for a couple of firms then started a 24-year career with Bayer Material Science (BMS). He also earned an MBA from Robert Morris University in 1985.
Baxendell had a variety of assignments in production capacities with BMS starting in New Martinsville, WV in polyurethane production. He relocated to Germany for two-and-a-half years and worked on BMS' polycarbonate group, earning part of a patent during this time. He then moved to Baytown, TX to run the polymerization part of the polycarbonate facility. During these assignments, he helped lead the successful startup of $100 million worth of capital projects.
Baxendell served as President and CEO of Deerfield Urethane, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMS. In 2002, Deerfield Urethane set records for sales and profitability. He then served as the NAFTA head of the polycarbonate film business until he finished the merger of this division into another wholly-owned subsidiary—Sheffield Plastics. Four years ago, Baxendell came back to the BMS Pittsburgh headquarters where he has worked in various internal consulting functions and earned a Lean Six Sigma Blackbelt. His most recent project assignment was leading a successful SAP APO installation with a budget of $11.5 million to service BMS’ planning and scheduling function. This year, Baxendell has returned to the PCS business.
Baxendell shares his passion for golf and fishing with his wife Lorie, who graduated from Pitt in 1981 with a degree in physical theray. He is investing presently in another Pitt education for his daughter, Brooke, who is a freshman in the College of Business Administration. He has two other children: Matthew, who has a degree in civil engineering from Ohio State University, and Sarah, who has degrees in marketing and finance from the University of Delaware.
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
James McCaffrey
Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering, 1978
Senior Vice President—Material & Supply Chain Management
Senior Vice President—CNX Land Resources
CONSOL Energy, Inc.
Pittsburgh, PA
In 1976, James J. McCaffrey joined CONSOL Energy Inc., a multi-faceted energy company producing coal and natural gas, as well as transportation and other energy services. McCaffrey worked through school as a coal miner.
Upon graduation, McCaffrey became an integral member of the team that began CONSOL's Bailey Mine, one of the world's largest underground coal mines. He was promoted to mine superintendent at Enlow Fork Mine, also a leader in high-Btu bituminous coal production, and later at Mine 84. Subsequently, McCaffrey was vice president/general manager in the coal operations group.
McCaffrey contributed to several underground mining innovations including roof support technologies, longwall move methodology, and new equipment development. With a strong focus on safety, McCaffrey remains dedicated to ensuring that miners return home safely to their families.
In 2003, McCaffrey became vice president of marketing services. He assumed his supply chain role in 2005, and in 2007 his role was expanded to include CNX Land Resources. He was named senior vice president in 2008. McCaffrey serves on the boards of Fairmont Supply Company and SDI.
Over the course of his 33-year career, McCaffrey has continued to support his alma mater and helped reestablish a mining engineering certificate program. Since 2006, he has taught an introductory mining engineering class which is required to earn the certificate.
In addition, McCaffrey is a member of the Pitt Alumni Association and the Panther Club. A longtime Pitt athletics enthusiast, he has held football and basketball season tickets since he was a student.
He also serves as a trustee of Washington and Jefferson College, supports the Boy Scouts of America, and participates in a number of other industry organizations.
McCaffrey and wife, Terry, who also is a Pitt graduate, have three children and reside in Washington, Pa. His daughter, Alex, is a freshman engineering student at Pitt.
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Ronald G. Stovash
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, 1970
Retired Senior Vice President—CONSOL Energy, Pittsburgh, PA
Retired President & Chief Executive Officer— PinnOak Resources, Canonsburg, PA
Ronald G. Stovash began his career as a coal miner in 1967 with CONSOL Energy while an engineering student at the University of Pittsburgh. After graduation he joined CONSOL as a production engineer and progressed through numerous management positions from foreman to general superintendent. In 1987, he was elected Vice President-Ohio Operations and held that position at other operating groups with over 2,600 employees.
In 1999, Stovash was appointed Vice President-Marketing Services; in 2003, he was promoted to Vice President-Sales and Marketing Services with domestic and international sales responsibilities. In 2004, Stovash was promoted to Senior Vice President-Operations and Marketing; in 2005, he was appointed to Senior Vice President-Administration with responsibilities for corporate strategic planning, engineering, exploration, environmental affairs, material and supply chain management, and research and development.
Stovash retired from CONSOL in 2007, with nearly 40 years service. He then joined PinnOak Resources, another coal mining company, as President & CEO. He retired again after the sale and integration of PinnOak Resources to an international company.
Stovash served his industry as a representative on the World Coal Institute, International Energy Agency, National Mining Association, United States Marine Transportation Council, West Virginia Public Energy Authority, National Coal Transportation Association, United States Inland Waterway Board, and other state associations.
Stovash is listed in Who’s Who for demonstrated leadership and industry achievement. He has contributed to mining innovations, equipment development, and authored a technical paper on longwall mining.
Stovash is a former member and Vice-Chairman of the Electrical Engineering Visiting Committee and company chairman of the annual giving fund at Pitt for six years. He was instrumental in reintroducing the mining industry back to the School of Engineering.
Stovash and wife, Stephanie, reside in Morgantown, WV. He serves on the boards of West Virginia Public Theatre, Monongalia Health System and General Hospital, and Greater Morgantown Charitable Trust.
Department of Industrial Engineering
Timothy Shack
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, 1972
Chairman, PNC Global Investing Servicing
Executive Vice President, The PNC Financial Services Group
Pittsburgh, PA
After earning his undergraduate degree at the University of Pittsburgh, Timothy G. Shack began his career as an industrial engineer at Talon, a division of Textron. He returned to Pitt to complete his MBA in 1975, and also received the program's Albert Wesley Frey Award.
Shack is responsible for strategic business initiatives and technology advances at PNC Global Investment Servicing. In addition, he oversees PNC's technology and operations efforts.
Previously, Shack served as chief executive officer of PNC Global Investment Servicing, the largest full-service mutual fund transfer agent and second largest provider of mutual fund accounting and administrative services in the United States, where he also serves as a director. In addition, Shack served as chief information officer, as well as executive vice president for PNC's Treasury Management and Midland Loan Services businesses. During his tenure, PNC has repeatedly been recognized by industry experts, such as CIO Magazine, as a technology leader in the financial industry.
Shack joined PNC, headquartered in Pittsburgh, in 1976, and after years of progressively larger responsibilities was promoted to chief information officer in December of 1997 and named executive vice president in March 2001. In May 2002, PNC expanded his role to include the position of chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Global Investment Servicing.
Shack has been a member of The Financial Services Roundtable and its technology group, BITS, where he served on the Executive Committee. Additionally, he serves as a trustee for FundVantage Trust.
Shack has served on the Board of the United Way, Allegheny County, where he chairs the Technology Committee and is active on the Finance and Strategic Planning Committee. Shack has also served as a member of the Bethel Park Community Foundation and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Corporate Information Technology Advisory Council.
Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
Luke Gill
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, 1965
Vice President, Joint Strike Fighter Global Sustainment, Lockheed Martin (Retired)
Fort Worth, TX
Owner, G Squared Limited
Luke Gill is founder and president of G Squared Limited, an aerospace and defense consulting company. G Squared Limited is focused on strategic planning, business development, logistics, and supply chain management to assist clients in achieving extraordinary results by streamlining processes and creating long term business partnerships. Gill has been in a leadership role in winning proposals for the two largest contracts ever awarded in the Department of Defense. Immediately prior to founding G Squared Limited, he was executive Vice President with Thomas Group, Inc.
While Vice President at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, Gill was responsible for leading and developing the logistics and sustainment concepts for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the most complex weapons system in the history of the United States military. He joined Lockheed Martin after serving in executive positions with Continental and Northwest Airlines as well as Vice President of Maintenance and Engineering at Southwest Airlines.
After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, Gill spent 25 years in the United States Air Force as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer and Logistician. During that time he served on diverse assignments throughout the United States, Europe, and the Pacific, including remote tours in Vietnam and Korea. He commanded three squadrons and was Deputy Commander for Maintenance in a fighter wing. Prior to retiring as a Colonel, Gill was Director of Maintenance at a large industrial depot. While on active duty Gill received a Master of Arts Degree from Webster College.
Gill and his wife, Donna, are the parents of four children and reside in Fort Worth, Texas.
Distinguished Young Alumni Award
Ray Andrick
Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering, 1990
Director of Software Development, Immedius
Pittsburgh, PA
Ray Andrick joined Inmedius in 2007 as director of software development with over 10 years of technical and management experience in mission-critical enterprise software development projects. Andrick most recently co-founded and served as president of Perceptive Solutions, Inc., a technology company specializing in the development of enterprise software solutions for the collection and processing of commercial and military aircraft records. In this position, he was responsible for managing all aspects of the product lifecycle and provided overall corporate leadership and direction.
Prior to joining Perspective Solutions, Andrick served as South East technical director for Salient Corporation, where he was responsible for technical management and mentoring in support of clients. Before joining Salient Corporation, he was a project leader and systems engineer at Electronic Data Systems (EDS). While at EDS, he worked in various capacities supporting the Automotive and Utilities Divisions.
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