Meet the Board
President - Bridget Dixon
Bridget is in her first year serving as the President of the Greater Syracuse Area Section of SWE. Previously she served as the Vice President for two years.
Bridget has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Syracuse University. She also has a minor in Engineering Business Management and worked throughout her Master’s program in Education courses to be a better Teaching Assistant.
She has previous experience with Schneider Electric in El Paso, Texas working to design switchboards and switchgear for industrial applications. Bridget currently works for Lockheed Martin, Syracuse in Undersea Systems.
Bridget enjoys spending time with her husband that just got out of the United States Army. She loves the Syracuse area, and enjoys exploring all the parks and activities Central NY has to offer.
Last updated: 7/18/18
Bridget is in her first year serving as the President of the Greater Syracuse Area Section of SWE. Previously she served as the Vice President for two years.
Bridget has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Syracuse University. She also has a minor in Engineering Business Management and worked throughout her Master’s program in Education courses to be a better Teaching Assistant.
She has previous experience with Schneider Electric in El Paso, Texas working to design switchboards and switchgear for industrial applications. Bridget currently works for Lockheed Martin, Syracuse in Undersea Systems.
Bridget enjoys spending time with her husband that just got out of the United States Army. She loves the Syracuse area, and enjoys exploring all the parks and activities Central NY has to offer.
Last updated: 7/18/18
Vice President- Ariel Roys
Ariel is currently the Vice President of the Greater Syracuse Area Section of SWE, previously she has served as the Treasurer.
Ariel is an Engineer in Training at GHD in Cazenovia, NY. During her time at GHD she has worked on projects relating to wastewater engineering. Her experience includes the design of wastewater treatment upgrades and modifications, hydraulic evaluations, and preparing operation and maintenance procedures for sewer collection systems.
She has her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Resources Engineering from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF), and an Associate of Science degree in Environmental Science from SUNY Broome Community College (BCC). While at BCC, Ariel was a captain on the soccer team and a member of Phi Theta Kappa, a National Honor Society for Junior Colleges. As a student at ESF, Ariel was a member of the soccer team. She was also involved in projects for Engineer’s Without Borders, and Alpha Xi Sigma, the College’s Honor Society.
In her free time, Ariel enjoys playing with her puppy and going on outdoor adventures.
last Updated: 7/18/18
Treasurer- Chelsey Kniffen
Chelsey currently work at TRC in Liverpool, NY as a Stormwater Specialist and Civil Engineer. Her experience includes preparing stormwater pollution prevention plans, stormwater management design, and site/civil design for renewable energy sites. Chelsey earned her BS in Environmental Engineering with a concentration in Environmental Health Science from Clarkson University in May 2015. She is currently a New York State Engineer-in-Training (EIT) and will be pursuing licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) in the upcoming years.
Chelsey previously served as the Treasurer of the New York State Capital District section for three years prior to joining the Greater Syracuse section. In addition, Chelsey participated in her collegiate section, holding the positions of Membership Director, Director of Outreach and Conference Director.
In her free time, Chelsey enjoys cooking, crafting, hiking, gardening, and traveling.
Last Updated: 7/18/18
Chelsey currently work at TRC in Liverpool, NY as a Stormwater Specialist and Civil Engineer. Her experience includes preparing stormwater pollution prevention plans, stormwater management design, and site/civil design for renewable energy sites. Chelsey earned her BS in Environmental Engineering with a concentration in Environmental Health Science from Clarkson University in May 2015. She is currently a New York State Engineer-in-Training (EIT) and will be pursuing licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) in the upcoming years.
Chelsey previously served as the Treasurer of the New York State Capital District section for three years prior to joining the Greater Syracuse section. In addition, Chelsey participated in her collegiate section, holding the positions of Membership Director, Director of Outreach and Conference Director.
In her free time, Chelsey enjoys cooking, crafting, hiking, gardening, and traveling.
Last Updated: 7/18/18
Secretary - Chelsea Armstrong
Chelsea is entering her first year as the Secretary on the Executive Board. She has also previously served as the Region E Conference Co-Chair, was the Section Representative for three years, and currently serves as Sponsorship Application Coordinator for the Section's Scholarship Program.
Chelsea is an licensed Professional Engineer at Beardsley Architects + Engineers in Syracuse, NY. She has civil engineering design experience in water and wastewater systems and utilities, as well as stormwater management projects, including green design, low-impact development roads, and stormwater pollution prevention plans. She has also assisted in the development of permitting, cost estimating and other aspects of design.
She has Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with a minor in Structural Engineering degree from Clarkson University. As a student, Chelsea was actively involved in Clarkson's collegiate SWE Section, American Society of Civil Engineers, and the Clarkson Dance Team.
Chelsea is also actively involved in the New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA), serving on the Central Chapter of NYWEA Young Professionals Committee.
Last updated: 7/18/18
Communications Chair / Webmaster -
Kara DiNatale
Kara DiNatale joined the Greater Syracuse Area section of SWE in late 2015 and immediately took up the mantels of Communications Committee Chair and Webmaster. FY19 will be her fourth year in this roles.
Kara works as a Process Engineer for Novelis at their Oswego, NY facility. Prior to this role she also worked there as a Quality Engineer while completing their Engineer Development Program. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and a Professional Certificate in Materials Engineering from Clarkson University, where she graduated from in 2014. In addition to working full time at Novelis, she is currently working towards a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering through Kansas State University's Global Campus.
While at Clarkson Kara was very involved in SWE, serving as the Public Relations Chair and the Director of Membership during her time there. She also played goalie for the varsity women's lacrosse team and was involved in the honors program.
Kara enjoys camping, reading, watching hockey, and working on the never-ending list of projects on her house.
Last updated: 7/18/18
Syracuse Liaison – Chrissy Herkenham
Chrissy is currently the Liaison between the Greater Syracuse Area Section of SWE and the Syracuse University Student Chapter of SWE. Chrissy is an Engineer in Training (EIT) at OBG in Syracuse, NY. At OBG, Chrissy is responsible for providing energy-related services for higher education, industrial, commercial, and municipal clients. These services include conducting utility billing analyses, energy benchmarking, ASHRAE Levels I, II, and III energy audits, and building energy conservation studies. She also works with the environmental services group at OBG and compiles Greenhouse Gas inventories for higher education clients.
Chrissy has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, with a minor in Engineering Management, from Syracuse University. As an undergraduate, she worked as an energy analyst for the Syracuse University Industrial Assessment Center (IAC), a U.S. Department of Energy funded program. Through this program, she learned the fundamentals of performing energy related services that has helped with her job at OBG. While managing engineering studies and work, Chrissy also held a board position for the Pi Tau Sigma (Mechanical Engineering Honor Society) chapter at Syracuse University and was a member of the S.U. Orange Pulse Dance Troupe.
Outside of her job, Chrissy enjoys getting daily exercise, cooking, reading, and traveling.
Last updated: 10/25/17
Chrissy is currently the Liaison between the Greater Syracuse Area Section of SWE and the Syracuse University Student Chapter of SWE. Chrissy is an Engineer in Training (EIT) at OBG in Syracuse, NY. At OBG, Chrissy is responsible for providing energy-related services for higher education, industrial, commercial, and municipal clients. These services include conducting utility billing analyses, energy benchmarking, ASHRAE Levels I, II, and III energy audits, and building energy conservation studies. She also works with the environmental services group at OBG and compiles Greenhouse Gas inventories for higher education clients.
Chrissy has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, with a minor in Engineering Management, from Syracuse University. As an undergraduate, she worked as an energy analyst for the Syracuse University Industrial Assessment Center (IAC), a U.S. Department of Energy funded program. Through this program, she learned the fundamentals of performing energy related services that has helped with her job at OBG. While managing engineering studies and work, Chrissy also held a board position for the Pi Tau Sigma (Mechanical Engineering Honor Society) chapter at Syracuse University and was a member of the S.U. Orange Pulse Dance Troupe.
Outside of her job, Chrissy enjoys getting daily exercise, cooking, reading, and traveling.
Last updated: 10/25/17
Outreach Chair- Valerie Countryman
Valerie is currently the Outreach Chair for the Syracuse Area section of SWE. Valerie is a Rochester native and graduate of the University of Rochester, with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
Valerie currently works as a Mechanical Design Engineer at IPD Engineering in Syracuse, New York. While she primarily works in HVAC design, she also performs plumbing design as needed. She has previous experience with Argus Engineering (Syracuse, NY) and LaBella Associates (Rochester, NY).
While in engineering school, Valerie was on the board for the University's chapter of ASME. Through ASME, she worked to organize events for her peers as well as for local high school students, her favorite of which was the annual "Pumpkin Launch" competition. She also worked for the University's Medical Center. Her interests outside of work include fishing, reading, and traveling.
Last updated: 1/17/18
Valerie is currently the Outreach Chair for the Syracuse Area section of SWE. Valerie is a Rochester native and graduate of the University of Rochester, with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
Valerie currently works as a Mechanical Design Engineer at IPD Engineering in Syracuse, New York. While she primarily works in HVAC design, she also performs plumbing design as needed. She has previous experience with Argus Engineering (Syracuse, NY) and LaBella Associates (Rochester, NY).
While in engineering school, Valerie was on the board for the University's chapter of ASME. Through ASME, she worked to organize events for her peers as well as for local high school students, her favorite of which was the annual "Pumpkin Launch" competition. She also worked for the University's Medical Center. Her interests outside of work include fishing, reading, and traveling.
Last updated: 1/17/18
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