Spring 2011 - The University of Akron

AlUmNI NewS
2011 Distinguished College of Engineering Alumni Awards
The University of Akron’s College of Engineering honored its 2011
distinguished alumni at a recognition ceremony on April 13.
This year’s honorees include:
Larry Allen, retired vice president
of Environmental, Health, Safety &
Quality at Air Products and Chemicals
Incorporated. Larry earned his Chemical
Engineering degree from The University of
Akron in 1970.
In 1978, Larry joined Air Products and
Chemicals and over his 30-year career,
held a broad range of managerial positions before being named
vice president. Among his achievements is becoming the first
European operations director for Chemicals Manufacturing in
1992, located in Manchester, England.
Larry and his wife, Susan, created The Larry Allen
Scholarship in Engineering Excellence. The couple also supports
the College of Engineering and the Department of Chemical
Engineering, as well as other accounts and memorial funds.
John Jones, president & CEO, Dart
Engineering, LLC. John earned
his bachelor’s degree in mechanical
engineering in 1972 from The University
of Akron where he participated in the
cooperative education program as well
as Air Force ROTC, Phi Kappa Tau
fraternity, and Sigma Tau Engineering
honorary.
John is currently the president and CEO of Dart Engineering
LLC, a professional engineering firm. From 1995 through
2000, John was president and CEO of one of Florida’s largest
construction firms, DCC Constructors, Inc., which specializes in
commercial and multi-family construction. He was named vice
chairman in 2000 and has remained a director of the company.
John has served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force Civil
Engineers, and received numerous awards and decorations
during his military service, including the United States
Meritorious Service Medal, the U.S. Air Force Commendation
Medal, and the Korean Defense Service Medal.
James Titmas, Chairman of the Board,
GeneSyst International Inc. James earned
his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering
from The University of Akron in 1960
where he was a member of Pershing Rifles,
ROTC Advanced – Army, and Scabbard &
Blade. After college, James served more than
three years in the U.S. Army as an Airborne
Ranger officer in the Corps of Engineers.
While a student, James began work on the use of oxidation
with heat as a broad-spectrum method of waste destruction.
Since that time James has continued to champion the cause to
end the practice of burial/land storage and has more than 54
years of experience in the waste treatment industry.
James began his career in consulting engineering in 1963 in
municipal electric power generation. From 1968 to 1977, James
was responsible for the civil and sanitary engineering services
division for Hale and Kullgren, Inc. He has owned a consulting
firm from 1977 to present and much of this time has been spent
on public speaking, seminar presentations and expert witness
testimony in litigation involving civil, structural, foundation,
and sanitary engineering matters.
In 1997, James became CEO and Chairman of the Board of
Genesyst International, Inc., which specializes in the marketing,
construction, operation, licensing, and franchising of gravity
vessel pressure waste conversion systems, also known as the
Titmas Process.
parents of five of the six children in this photo are alumni of
the university of akron! Children in the picture, left to right:
The Next Generation of Zips
Ben Kessler (mom Cory Kessler and dad Nate Kessler)
Craig Lawrence (mom Jennifer Lawrence - MA in Education ’06;
dad Mike Lawrence - MS in Political Science ’03)
Noelle, Hallie and Ella Lawrence (mom Chris Lawrence - AA in Criminal
Justice ’01; mom Tia Lawrence)
Abby Lawrence (sister of Craig, mom and dad Jennifer ’06 and
Mike ’03 Lawrence)
Grandparents are David and Susan Witt, both professors in the School of Family
and Consumer Sciences. Susan has a BA in Family Development ’88, MA in Child
Development ’90, and PhD in Education ’95, all from The University of Akron.
| 24 |