Alumni Notes

David AyalaDavid Ayala (’99, Civil Engineering)

I’m now the senior training manager for the Buildings and Systems Engineering Department at UPS. In this corporate role, I lead the team to onboard new engineers and develop content to train the existing and incumbent workforce. I also celebrated my 29th year at UPS in 2023.  I’m also a mentor to sophomore boys at Purpose Church Pomona and raising two wonderful girls Grace, 16, and Zoey, 13, who are doing ballet and water polo respectively.

Don BentleyDon Bentley (’77, Civil Engineering)

I retired in 2022 after a fulfilling 45-year career in civil engineering, with 28 years at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and 17 years in the private sector. Earning my master’s in civil engineering, environmental engineering and science from Stanford University in 1982 was a career highlight, along with serving as an executive fellow at the Metropolitan Water District in 1998. I’ve also cherished my travels to Brittany, France, where I connected deeply with my French/Breton heritage, discovering its rich history and culture.

Jason DoanJason Doan (’93, Electrical Engineering)

I recently visited the Cu Chi Tunnel, which Fidel Castro toured in 1996. Seeing the displays of military technology, including tanks and radios, reminded me of my own work in communication technology. After graduating, I joined AML Communications Inc., then moved to LA Cellular in 1995 to work on system performance engineering. In 1997, I joined Sprint PCS to help roll out the CDMA network by analyzing system performance, configuring data collection equipment, and conducting drive tests to measure RF signal strength.

Eliot KhachiEliot Khachi (’21, Aerospace Engineering)

This year, I took the leap to pursue my long-held dream of starting my own company. Drawing on my knowledge from Cal Poly Pomona’s aerospace engineering department and my experience from Aerojet Rocketdyne, I launched a startup focused on revolutionizing model-based systems engineering. We’ve partnered with a leading aerospace company, raised over $100,000 with plans for further funding, and garnered interest from over 100 potential customers.

Clarissa PappoClarissa Monique Pappo (’93, Electrical Engineering)

I published a paper at the 7th International Conference on Geotechnical and Geophysical Site Characterization where I presented my master’s project in Barcelona, Spain. You can read my paper at: https://www.scipedia.com/public/Shafiee_et_al_2024a. I’ve been working in this industry since 2017 and finally landed my dream job last month. I now work for the City of Laguna Beach in the Public Works Department. Personally, I am so excited to share that after living with my boyfriend and buying our first home together in 2021, we are engaged and hoping to be married by 2026!

Mehul PatelMehul Patel (’95, Civil Engineering)

As executive director of operations for the Orange County Water District (OCWD), I oversee all facilities, including the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS), the world’s largest potable reuse facility. The GWRS purifies treated wastewater to drinking water quality. A recent $290 million expansion increased output by 30 million gallons per day, bringing total production to 130 million gallons, enough for 1 million people. The expansion also enabled the facility to recycle 100 percent of reclaimable flows from the sanitation district, a first in the industry.

Peter PetrossianPeter Petrossian (‘74, Industrial Engineering)

I retired from McCormick & Company in Baltimore. My wife and I reside in Los Angeles. We have two sons who are in the medical profession. I’ve taken many hobbies, including woodworking, photography, yard work, painting, reading, tennis, volunteering, and travel.

Balraj SaharanBalraj Saharan (’24, Mechanical Engineering MS)

 I’m excited to announce that I’ll be starting a full-time role with Caltrans as a transportation engineer (civil). I recently earned my EIT [engineer-in-training] certification and passed the FE [Fundamentals in Engineering] exam in civil engineering to expand my knowledge in a new field. I’m on track to obtain my PE [Professional Engineer] license next year, and in addition to my engineering career, I also hold a real estate license and am pursuing my private pilot’s license.

Kareem ScarlettKareem Scarlett (’04, Civil Engineering; '23, Civil Engineering MS)

I’ll be a construction corridor manager for the Brightline West High-Speed Rail and serve as project director for the I-40 Colorado River Bridge project. I’ve been with Caltrans since 2008 and have overseen construction on projects like the I-5 North Coast Corridor, Mid-Coast Trolley Extension and the UCSD Gilman Drive Overcrossing. Outside of work, I enjoy family time with my wife, two boys and two girls. We’re a big baseball and softball family, so my boys play baseball and my girls play softball. I’m also working on restoring my 1967 Chevy Camaro.

Eric SchmidtEric Schmidt (‘92, Aerospace Engineering)

The company I co-founded, Exquadrum, Inc., was featured in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) periodical, Aerospace America, in October. Since I was a junior in college, I’ve been a member of AIAA and received Aerospace America in the mail. Being featured in the magazine is humbling and exciting, as it’s the full cycle of being inspired by the stories as a student and young engineer, to now having my technology being featured to hopefully inspire future aerospace engineers.

Sopheak SuySopheak Suy (’23, Mechanical Engineering)

After graduation, I converted from an intern to a full-time employee at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division. I’m a systems engineer for the gun weapon systems on U.S. Navy ships. I help maintain the system, perform data analysis and train sailors while getting to travel. I personally enjoy traveling for my position because I learn a lot via on-the-job training and it’s a nice break from being in the office all the time. In my photo, I’m in Florida to support a ship. My goal is to travel to all 50 states and travel internationally, too.

Tom VanDorpeTom VanDorpe, S.E. (’89, Industrial Engineering)

Just celebrated 30 years with my wife, Lisa. We have two adult children and are enjoying being empty nesters. I’m serving as CEO of VCA Consultants, which provides structural engineering, municipal support services, and sustainability consulting. I’m serving on several boards, including the Cal Poly Pomona College of Engineering Dean’s Leadership Board, and the Legatus Board of Governors, which is a Catholic CEO group led by Tom Monagnan, founder of Domino’s Pizza. For fun I’m still playing guitars and racing cars.

Dominic Zhao(Dominic) Zhao (’20, Eletromechanical Systems Engineering Technology)

I’m a powertrain manufacturing engineer at the Ford Motor Company in Michigan. I am working on the stator project of electric motors. Before Ford, I worked at Tesla in California on the 4680 Structure Battery and giga casting projects. Besides working, I have been traveling a lot. Here’s me at Machu Picchu Peru in September, and I am really excited for upcoming trips to Europe.