UCF Alumni Honored for Distinguished Engineering and Computer Science Achievements
Six individuals who work as entrepreneurs, scientists and corporate executives were honored as distinguished alumni by the University of Central Florida’s College of Engineering and Computer Science for their professional achievements in industries as diverse as global freight logistics to rocket science.
The six honorees represent each of the college’s academic departments, adding to a list of 43 Distinguished Alumni honored since 2011. They accepted their awards at a Nov. 6 reception at the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center on UCF’s main campus, in front of fellow alumni, college leaders, students and the honorees’ friends, family and coworkers.
“We honor these six individuals whose achievements truly make them shine among our 37,000 alumni,” said Michael Georgiopoulos, dean. “They exemplify the definition of what it means to be a UCF engineer or a UCF computer scientist.”
The honorees, by department:
Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering:
Denver Stutler, Jr.’87 ’89MS is the chief executive officer of U.S. Submergent Technologies, a company he co-founded in 2011. The company brings new, patented technology to market and is revolutionizing the water and wastewater industry. Stutler worked in the public sector prior to Submergent Technologies, in a variety of roles, including chief of staff for former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. Stutler holds UCF bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering.
Department of Computer Science:
John Stevens ’96 co-founded Orlando-based Cole Engineering Services, Inc., with Bryan Cole in 2004. Since then, it is now a company of more than 360 employees that develops unique simulation-based systems for simple and complex military missions. CECI was recently acquired by the McLean, Virgina-based defense contractor By Light Professional IT Services. Stevens holds a UCF bachelor’s degree in computer science.
Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering:
Philip “Phil” Dumas ’05 is the builder, creator and founder of UniKey Technologies, a company that turns a phone into a key with patented technology. The company first gained national attention on the ABC television series “Shark Tank,” and was the first company to receive offers from all five sharks. Dumas holds a UCF bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.
Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems:
Tandreia Bellamy ’98MS is Engineering Vice President for UPS Global Freight Forwarding, responsible for operation strategy, forecasting and technology tool development to optimize sustainable efficiency and world-class service. Bellamy, who earned her bachelor’s degree at Stanford University, holds a UCF master’s degree in industrial engineering and management systems.
Department of Materials Science and Engineering:
Catherine Kammerer, Ph.D. ’13MS ’15PhD is the senior manager of Materials and Lab Processes Engineering at Aerojet Rocketdyne in West Palm Beach, Fla. She provides materials selection and processes control, supplier development, component and system design, material characterization, failure analysis and laboratory operations supporting the lifecycle of liquid rocket engines. She holds UCF master’s and doctoral degrees in materials science and engineering.
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering:
Michael “Mike” Piatek ’02 ’05MBA is the director of Design and Engineering for Walt Disney World’s Architecture and Facilities Engineering team within the Global Facilities and Operations Services group. He leads a team engineers, architects, designers and technical specialists to provide design, technical, and asset-strategy support for facilities and infrastructure-related assets for the Walt Disney World site overall. He holds a UCF bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and an MBA.