Keynote Speakers: Past and Present
2025 Keynote Speakers
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Dr. Kallie Metzger
Dr. Metzger is the Director of Fuel for the Westinghouse eVinci microreactor where she coordinates the microreactor fuel strategy, including HALEU and TRISO fuel supply, development, and fabrication. In her prior role, she led the Accident Tolerant Fuel Program at Westinghouse. She a technical leader in the nuclear industry with 13 years of experience in managing interdisciplinary engineering teams at Westinghouse and two Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories (Savannah River and Idaho National Laboratories) in support of DOE-NE, DOE-EM and other complex nuclear technology development and implementation programs.
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Daniel Chavez
2024 Keynote Speakers
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Dr. Kallie Metzger
Dr. Metzger is the Director of Fuel for the Westinghouse eVinci microreactor where she coordinates the microreactor fuel strategy, including HALEU and TRISO fuel supply, development, and fabrication. In her prior role, she led the Accident Tolerant Fuel Program at Westinghouse. She a technical leader in the nuclear industry with 13 years of experience in managing interdisciplinary engineering teams at Westinghouse and two Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories (Savannah River and Idaho National Laboratories) in support of DOE-NE, DOE-EM and other complex nuclear technology development and implementation programs.
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Katelyn Wyandt
Katelyn Wyandt is a junior studying computer science with a minor in asian studies. She was recently named a Goldwater Scholar for her dedication to human-computer interaction research, seeking to improve digital learning experiences in education. In addition to her commitments as a student and researcher on campus, she serves as an ambassador for the SC Honors college, and is currently working on developing Youth for Youth Health, a student-led initiative using technology and advocacy to increase health literacy in South Carolina.
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Julian Bustamente
Juan Bustamante currently focus on technical development and sales support for R.E Mason’s growing Process Systems & Solutions division working with a great team to solve problems and find the best answers for our customers.
His automation experience is mainly focused on DeltaV and Provox DCS systems, reverse engineering of Provox and PLC configuration. He is always interested in learning new software languages, working with a mixture of process applications and equipment.
2023 Keynote Speakers
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Michele Dukes
International Paper
Miichele Dukes has been with International Paper for over 24 years. Working at the Georgetown, SC Mill since 2002, Michele has held various positions including product development, front-line leader, capital engineer, and technical management roles. In addition to her current Lead Team role of Technical Manager, covering Capital Engineering and Process Control, for the Georgetown Mill, Michele also serves as REACH / Intern Champion.
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Felicia Rhue Howard
Dominion Energy
As vice president of Economic Development Strategy, Felicia Rhue Howard works to bolster local, regional, and state economic development efforts across Dominion Energy’s thirteen-state geographical footprint which serves seven million electric and natural gas customers. In 2013, she was named vice president of Gas Operations where she oversaw natural gas distribution for over 400,000 homes and businesses.
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Meaghan Norman
Boeing
Meaghan Norman is a communications and branding specialist for The Boeing Company, based in North Charleston, SC. She currently serves as a strategic communicator supporting several company executive leaders. Previously, Norman focused on highlighting stories of teammates and products at Boeing in South Carolina. Before joining Boeing, she worked in public relations as a broadcast news anchor, host and reporter at several TV stations, including WIS-TV in Columbia, SC. Norman graduated from Wellesley College with a B.A. in English and Cinema & Media Studies. She also earned an M.S. in Broadcast Journalism from Northwestern University.
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Tiffany Javid
Boeing
Tiffany Javid currently works as a 787 interiors design engineer in Ladson, SC. Prior to joining Boeing full-time, she completed an internship supporting 737 MAX Systems Stress in Renton, WA. Previous experiences include photogrammetry specialist at NGA and an AutoCAD technician at A. Morton Thomas, a civil engineering firm. Javid graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.S. in Civil Engineering with a focus in structures. During her time in undergrad, she was heavily involved with the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. She has continued her involvement in SHPE as the Boeing South Carolina site lead.
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Dr. Robin James
General Motors
Dr. Robin James is a Researcher in the Manufacturing Systems Research Laboratory at General Motors Global Research and Development. He joined GM in 2021 and uses his Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) and Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) skills for leading research projects to develop next generation in-line, real-time battery cell manufacturing inspection systems for electric vehicles that use GM’s Ultium platform. He has 6 patents and 22 conference and journal articles.
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Dr. Ramy Harik
USC & Nephron Pharmaceuticals
Dr. Ramy Harik, is a tenured Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at USC and a researcher at the McNAIR Center for Aerospace Innovation and Research. He was listed amongst the 20 most influential professors in Smart Manufacturing by SME’s Smart Manufacturing Magazine in 2020. In 2021, Dr. Harik released his second book: “Manufacturing vs Corruption: Who Wins?” by SAE. The book won the 2023 Independent Press Award for Distinguished Favorite for Social/Political Change Books.