Two distinguished graduates of the department of mechanical engineering returned to campus Thursday, March 26, and provided words of wisdom for current students pursuing a career in the engineering industry.
Steve Brauer, Jr.
Steve Brauer, Jr. serves as president of Hunter Engineering Service Center, a division of Hunter Engineering Company. Brauer received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 2003 and his MBA from The University of Texas at Austin in 2007. While at Texas A&M, he served as president of the Texas A&M student chapter of ASM International. He currently serves on the Mechanical Engineering Industrial Advisory Council and sponsors the Texas A&M Formula SAE Student Design Team. He has recently endowed a faculty fellowship in mechanical engineering.
Brauer said he believes that retaining a first class faculty is at the core of a strong mechanical engineering program. He hopes that his endowment will help the department continue to attract the best faculty and student talent and produce the high quality graduates the industry needs. His advice to students is to work hard and never stop thinking about ways to improve the world around them.
Ryan Sitton
Ryan Sitton earned his degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University in 1997. Upon graduation, Sitton went to work as an engineer in the energy industry. In 2006, Sitton founded PinnacleAIS, an engineering and technology company. He was elected as the Texas Railroad Commissioner in November 2014. As the Railroad Commissioner, he oversees the oil/gas industry which represents 40 percent of the Texas economy. Sitton ran for Railroad Commissioner because he was driven to affect change and wanted the opportunity to impact the future of oil/gas in Texas. He is the first engineer to serve in 40 years, and believes that his degree enables him to have technical conversations with industry professionals, and truly allows him to present solutions to challenges that they face. His advice to graduates and current students is to be tenacious and impactful with their time at Texas A&M. He also recommends that once employed, they should immerse themselves in their new company and learn every facet of the operation in order to develop and maintain their education as well-rounded individuals.