Birmingham History

This is a work in progress -  started 8/16/01. Any additions or changes please send to Michelle Ballew,  michelle@christycobb.com or fax with hand written changes marked to 933-1088. Thanks.

  • Chronological Events Click for a copy to download and print

    1985 and earlier

    §         Certificates of Merit to Girls in elementary schools through early 90’s.

    §    Held regular meetings - 4 members formed an organization committee to establish goals to start a SWE group.

    §         Started Chartering process - Jeanne Richardson very instrumental in Chartering the Section

    1987

    §         Chartered in January of 1987 with 10 Members - Susan Baughman, Linda Brownlee, Lowell Christy,  Michelle Ditizio-Ballew, Glynda Haley, Munsell McPhillips, Liz Philpot, Lynn Reaves, Jeanne Richardson and Kathleen Stahl. Carolyn Ullrich joined also and was on the first membership roster.

    §         Charter Banquet was March 27,1987 Beth Posey Leonard, First Region D Director came and gave us our Charter at the Inverness Country Club.

    §         Received first place for a National Career Guidance Award for one of our first section projects, which was Career Guidance Slide Show (Michelle still has) Glynda and Michelle accepted the award in Oakland???

    §         Kathleen Harer, National President comes to Birmingham to Speak to Section, September 24, 1987 at Inverness Country Club.

    §         Rose Scripta from UAB won the National Distinguished Educator Award and received it at the Puerto Rico Convention, year unknown at this time.

    1988

    §         Martha Warren Bidez (nom by Mech. Eng, but a SWE member) won the “Young Engineer of the Year” Award.

    §         Started involvement with Alabama, Auburn, UAB and Tuskegee student sections, speaking and having student nights.

    §         A UAB Administrator/Professor won the Rodney D. Chipp Award in late 80’s or early 90’s.

    1989

    §         Sandra Andrews Wood won the “Young Engineer of the Year” Award and was the cover story on the BBJ Magazine.

    §         Section participated in the SWE/NASA Grant program that 12 sections out of 62 nationally participated. Birmingham performed the BIG SISTER portion of the grant mentoring to high school juniors and seniors.

    §         Section won a Membership Award in the early years for Small Section Growth, also Glynda and Michelle accepted it in Oakland, San Diego or Orlando?

    1990

    §         Liz Philpot won the “Young Engineer of the Year” Award and got her picture on the cover of the Birmingham Business Journal.

    §         1993 Members Participated each month with the Junior Academy of Math at UAB, and several members were asked in 1993 kept mentoring the JAM grads at 6th grade students through high school.

    §         Section nominee, Taquisha Banks won Spacecampship.

    1991/1992

    §         Patty Barron won the “Young Engineer of the Year” Award, the 4th in a row SWE member to receive the honor.

    §         The Executive Advisory Board was formed.

    §         Vulcan Materials Company and Rust Engineering became Corporate Members.

    §         Two Scholarships funded by annual fashion show and corporate donations.

    §         BE&K gave $3000. gave a scholarship with SWE.

    §         Members had displays and gave career guidance programs at the Springville Road Library, UAB Engineering Open House and Girls Incorporated Career Fair.

    §         Received the National Small Section Newsletter Award in Orlando, received by Glynda and Michelle?

    1992/1993

    §         BE&K Became Corporate SWE member

    §         BellSouth Telecommunications established a $1000 scholarship to be awarded in conjunction with SWE.

    §         Scholarships were awarded to four high school students.

                                    BE&K $3000 annual scholarship

                                    BellSouth $1000 scholarship

    SWE $1000 Scholarship funded by Fashion Show and Region D Conference

    §         UAB/SWE $500 scholarship funded by SWE Student Run with assistance of professional section

    §         First Region D Conference ever, Chaired by Kari Raiche and Michelle Ballew Jan 29-30 1993.

    §         Industry Roundtable Jan. 29, 1993, chaired by Sandy Wood and Glynda Haley

    §         SWE hosted a Catalyst Conference, BE&K Became Corporate SWE member

    §         Seven NASA/SWE campership applications were submitted to National SWE, and one applicant was recipient of Space Camp award.

    §         A relationship was established with Big Sisters sister-to-sister program.  One scholarship winner and the Space Camp winner came from this program.

    §         SWE members continue to be active in the Junior Academy of Math program and Math Counts.

    §         SWE members presented a display at the UAB Open House/Engineering Expo and also conducted a program at UAB for female high school students and their parents.

    1993/1994

    §         Birmingham SWE continues to work toward increasing our membership.

    §         Progress was made toward establishing an endowed scholarship fund.

    §         Applications for scholarships have been mailed to area high schools, and scholarships will be awarded in late spring.

    §         SWE members hosted a covered dish dinner for Alabama college and university engineering students.  A panel of professional members presented a program and panel discussion for the students which was well received.

    §         SWE members continued to be active in the Junior Academy of  Math program and Math Counts.

    §         SWE presented a booth at the UAB Open House/Engineering Expo’s month.

    1994/1996

    §         Michelle Ballew  became Region D Director  

    1999

    §      Carnetta Davis won the ECOB “Distinguished Service Award of the Year” Award.  

    1999/2000

    §         Kathy Mergl became Region Director

    §         2002 Alicia Rudolph won the ECOB “Young Engineer of the Year” Award

    §         Sandy Wood won the ECOB “Distinguished Service Award of the Year” Award.

    2002/2003

    §         Jennifer Gray won the ECOB “Young Engineer of the Year” Award

    §         Michelle Ballew won the ECOB “Distinguished Service Award of the Year” Award.

    2003/2004

    §         Sandy Wood became Region Director

    Birmingham Hosts the 2003 Society of Women Engineers National Conference

    2006/2007

  • February 10, 2007 Career Fair at Honda, in Lincoln Alabama

  • February 10, 2007 MathCounts Competition, Cahaba Pumping Station

  • February 22, ECOB Banquet at McWane

  • March 2-4, 2007 Region D Conference at Tuscaloosa, Alabama

  • March 10, Girl Scout Math and Science Fair at McWane.

 

  • Section Presidents Click for a copy to download and print

    1985/FY86 Jean Richardson - Unofficial
    1986/FY87 Munsell McPhillips
    1987/FY88 Glynda Haley
    1988/FY89 Michelle Ditizio-Ballew
    1989/FY90 Sandy Wood
    1990/FY91 Lynn Reaves
    1991/FY92 Patty Barron
    1992/FY93 Jean Stuart
    1993/FY94 Kari Raiche
    1994/FY95 Liz Philpot
    1995/FY96 Kathyrn Mergl
    1996/FY97 Sandee Kinard
    1997/FY98 Christy George
    1998/FY99 Janet Nemanic
    1999/FY00 Carnetta Davis
    2000/FY01 Kathyrn Mergl
    2001/FY02 Alicia Rudolph
    2002/FY03 Jennifer Gray
    2003/FY04 Jennifer Gray
    2004/FY05 Mary Crisp
    2005/FY06 Theresa Carter
    2006/FY07 Theresa Carter

  • Section Officers Click for a copy to download and print

    1985/FY86
    President, Munsell McPhillips
    Vice President, Glynda Haley
    Secretary, Linda Brownlee
    Treasurer, Kathleen Stahl
    Section Rep., Jean Richardson

    86/FY87
    President, Munsell McPhillips
    Vice President, Glynda Haley
    Secretary, Lynn Reaves
    Treasurer, Kathleen Stahl
    Section Rep., Jean Richardson

    1987/FY88
    President, Glynda Haley
    Vice President, Michelle Ballew
    Secretary, Amy Streetman
    Treasurer, Yevette Neuman
    Section Rep., Jean Richardson
    Continuing Development Chair, Michelle Ballew
    Publicity Chair, Susan Baughman
    Career Guidance Chair, Munsell McPhillips
    Membership Chair, Lynn Reaves
    Awards Committee, Michelle Ballew

    1988/FY89
    President, Michelle Ballew
    Vice President,
    Secretary, Lynn Reaves
    Treasurer, Yevette Neuman
    Section Rep. Jean Richardson
    Newsletter, Michelle Ballew
    ECOB, Liz Philpot
    Continuing Development Chair, Michelle Ballew

    1989/FY90
    President, Sandy Wood
    Vice President, Kim Harrold
    Secretary and Newsletter, Michelle Ballew
    Treasurer, Yvette Newman
    Section Rep., Jean Richardson
    Newsletter, Liz Philpot
    ECOB, Liz Philpot
    Fund Development Chair, Michelle Ballew

    1990/FY91
    President, Lynn Reaves
    Vice President, Patty Barron
    Secretary and Newsletter, Liz Philpot
    Treasurer, Glynda Haley
    Publicity, Sandy Wood
    ECOB, Liz Philpot
    Fund Development Chair, Michelle Ballew

    1991/FY92
    President, Patty Barron
    Vice President, Kari Raiche
    Secretary and Newsletter, Liz Philpot
    Treasurer, Glynda Haley
    Section Rep., Michelle Ballew
    Fund Development Chair, Michelle Ballew
    Newsletter, Liz Philpot
    ECOB, Liz Philpot
    Executive Advisory Board, Andrea Shapiro and Kari Raiche

    1992-1993, FY94
    President, Jean Stuart
    Vice President, Kari Raiche
    Secretary, Liliana Remirez
    Treasurer, Sylvia Sutton
    Section Rep., Michelle Ballew
    ECOB, Liz Philpot
    Continuing Development, Liz Philpot
    Region Conference Chairs, Kari Raiche and Michelle Ballew
    Fund Development Chair, Michelle Ballew
    Career Guidance, Brigette Wilson
    Membership, Andrea Shapiro (Ind.) and Kari Raiche (Corp.)
    Publicity, Sylvia Sutton
    Newsletter, Kathy Mergl
    Scholarship, Liz Hyde
    Space Campership, Ann Ferretti
    Certicicates of Merit, Tammy Upchurch
    Girl Scouts, Andi Fulton, Kim Keller, and Kim King

    1993/FY94
    President, Kari Raiche
    Vice President,
    Secretary,
    Treasurer,
    Continuing Development, Liz Philpot
    Endowed Scholarship Chair, Michelle Ballew
    Fund Development Chair, Michelle Ballew
    Executive Advisory Board, Sylvia Sutton

    1994/FY95
    President, Liz Philpot
    Vice President, Kathy Mergl
    Secretary, Sandee Kinard
    Treasurer, Brigette Wilson
    Section Representative, Glynda Haley
    Membership, Loraine Beyer
    Career Guidance, Liz Hyde
    Publicity, Tammy Upchurch
    Newsletter, Sandee Kinard and Kathy Mergl
    ECOB, Liz Philpot

    1995/FY96
    President, Kathyrn Mergl
    Vice President, Sandee Kinard
    Secretary, Mary Crisp????
    Treasurer, Brigette Wilson
    Section Rep., Glynda Haley

    1996/FY97
    President, Sandee Kinard
    Vice President, Christy George
    Secretary, Carnetta Davis
    Treasurer, Mary Crisp
    Section Rep., Kathyrn Mergl
    Career Guidance, Brigette Wilson
    Career Guidance, Sarah Haider
    Membership, Christy George
    ECOB Rep., Michelle Ballew
    Golf Tournament, Kathy Mergl

    1997/FY98
    President, Christy George
    Vice President, Carnetta Davis
    Secretary, Mary Crisp
    Treasure, Patty Barron
    Section Rep., Kathryn Mergl
    ECOB Rep., Sandy Wood
    Career Guidance, Cynthia Kriley
    Professional Development, Carnetta Davis
    Membership, Janet Nemanic
    Golf Tournament, Mary Crisp

    1998/FY99
    President, Janet Nemanic
    VP Special, Carnetta Davis
    VP Student, Cynthia Kriley
    VP Member, Wendla Pringle
    Treasurer, Sandy Wood
    Secretary, Kristi Creel
    Section Rep., Mary Crisp
    Past President, Christy George
    ECOB Rep, Janet Nemanic? Or Kathy Mergl?

    1999/2000 Executive Committee 
    President, Carnetta N. Davis, P.E. 
    Vice President, Janet Nemanic
    Treasurer, Sandy Wood
    Secretary ,Margaret Malloy
    Section Rep., Mary Crisp
    ECOB Rep. ,Sandy Wood
    Career Guidance, Christy George, P.E. Membership, Janet Nemanic 
    Prof. Devel., Carnetta Davis
    Scholarship, Sandy Wood 
    2003 Convention, Kathy Mergl 
    Newsletter, Tina Farley

    2000/FY01
    President, Kathyrn Mergl
    Past President, Carnetta Davis
    Vice President, Alicia Rudolph
    Secretary, Kam Acupan
    Treasurer, Jennifer Gray
    Section Rep., Janet Nemanic
    ECOB Rep, Jaime Barnes
    Membership, Erin Boryczka
    Career Guidance, Sandy Wood
    Prof. Development., Mary Crisp
    Scholarship, Ann Holsonback
    2003 Conf. Chair, Kathy Mergl
    Newsletter, Amy Greene
    Website, Michelle Ballew

    2001/FY02
    President, Alicia Rudolph 933-5556
    Arudlph@volkert.com
    Past President, Kathy Mergl 995-6261
    Mergl@aol.com
    Vice President, Jennifer Gray 838-5562
    Jkg@deainc.com
    Secretary, Amy Greene 992-5809
    Abgreene@southernco.com
    Treasurer Vacant
    Section Rep., Mary Crisp 663-6362
    mcrisp117@aol.com
    ECOB Rep., Sandy Wood 934-8521
    Swood@eng.uab.edu
    Membership, Erin Boryczka 972-6379
    Chair kinge@bek.com
    Membership Chair, Kam Acupan 972-6871
    Acupank@bek.com
    Career Guidance Michelle Ballew
    michelle@christycobb.com
    Prof. Devel. Chair, Jennifer Gray
    Jkg@deainc.com
    Scholarship Chair, Stephanie Swindle 669-8430
    shswindl@southernco.com
    2003 Conf. Comm. Chair, Kathy Mergl 995-6261
    mergl@aol.com
    Newsletter Editor, Christina Nix 257-4226
    cabatson@southernco.com

    2002/FY03
    President Jennifer Gray 263-2167
    jgray@sain.com
    Past President/ Section Rep., Alicia Rudolph 933-5556
    Membership Committee Co-Chair Alicia Rudolph
    arudolph@volkert.com
    Vice President/ Career Guidance, Erin King-Boryczka 972-6378
    Professional Development Comm. Chair, Erin King-Boryczka
    kinge@bek.com
    Secretary/ Publicity Comm. Chair, Rebecca Hovland 992-6682
    rmhovlan@southernco.com
    Treasurer, Sara Jacobs 933-5556
    sjacobs@volkert.com
    ECOB Rep., Chandra Abesingha 595-0401
    chandrapa@aol.com
    Membership Committee Co-Chair, Holley Ellis (888)233-4651
    holley@goegroup.com
    Scholarship Committee Chair, Stephanie Swindle 669-8430
    shswindl@southernco.com
    2003 Conference Committee Chair, Kathy Mergl 995-6261
    mergl@aol.com
    Newsletter Editor, Liz Philpot 257-5315
    efphilpo@southernco.com

    2003/FY04
    President, Jennifer Gray 263-2167
    jgray@sain.com
    Past President, Jennifer Gray 263-2167
    jgray@sain.com
    Vice President, Erin King-Boryczka 972-6378
    kinge@bek.com
    Secretary, Rebecca Hovland 992-6682
    rmhovlan@southernco.com
    Treasurer, Sara Jacobs 933-5556
    sjacobs@volkert.com

    FY04 OFFICERS:
     
    President:
    Jennifer K. Gray, P.E.
    Sain Associates, Inc.
    (205) 263-2167
    (205) 263-2067 - fax
    jgray@sain.com
     
    Vice President:
    Erin King Boryczka
    BE&K Engineering
    (205)972-6379
    erinboryczka@hotmail.com
     
    Secretary:
    Rebecca Hovland
    Southern Nuclear
    (205) 992-6682
    rmhovlan@southernco.com
     
    Treasurer:
    Jennifer King
    Birmingham Water Works Board
    (205)244-4184
    jking@bwwsb.com
     
    Section Rep:
    Alicia H. Rudolph, P.E.
    Volkert & Associates, Inc.
    (205)933-5556
    (205)933-5559 - fax
    arudolph@volkert.com

     FY05 OFFICERS:

    President:
    Mary Crisp
    mcrisp@itt-tech.edu

    Vice President:
    Theresa Carter
    tcarter@neel-schaffer.com

    Secretary:
    Stephanie Pryor
    spryor@neel-schaffer.com

    Treasurer:
    Michelle Ballew
    michelle@christycobb.com

    Section Rep:
    Mary Crisp
    mcrisp@itt-tech.edu

    Past President:
     Jennifer K. Gray, P.E.
    Sain Associates, Inc.

     FY06 OFFICERS:

    President:
    Theresa Carter
    tcarter@neel-schaffer.com

    Vice President:
    Elizabeth Huber
    elizabethrhuber@hotmail.com

    Secretary:
    Stephanie Pryor
    spryor@neel-schaffer.com

    Treasurer:
    Michelle Ballew
    michelle@christycobb.com

    Section Rep:
    Mary Crisp
    mcrisp@itt-tech.edu

    Past President:
    Mary Crisp
    mcrisp@itt-tech.edu

     FY07 OFFICERS:

    President:
    Theresa Carter
    tcarter@neel-schaffer.com

    Vice President:
    Erica Hardy

    Secretary:
    Stephanie Pryor
    spryor@neel-schaffer.com

    Treasurer:
    Michelle Ballew
    michelle@christycobb.com

    Section Rep:
    Mary Crisp
    mcrisp@itt-tech.edu

    Past President:
     Theresa Carter
    tcarter@neel-schaffer.com

     

     



  • Section AwardsClick for a copy to download and print

1987
Received first place for a National Career Guidance Award for one of our first section projects, which was Career Guidance Slide Show (Michelle still has) Glynda and Michelle accepted the award in Oakland


1992
Received FY92 Conference in Orlando received the Newsletter Award for Small Section, Glynda and Michelle accepted it.

 

1987
Dr. Rose Scripta from UAB won the National Distinguished Educator Award from SWE in Puerto Rico.

1988
Dr. Martha Warren Bidez (nom by Mech. Eng, but a SWE member) won the ECOB "Young Engineer of the Year" Award.

1989
Sandra Andrews Wood won the ECOB "Young Engineer of the Year" Award and was the cover story on the BBJ Magazine.

 A UAB Administrator/Professor won the Rodney D. Chipp Award in late 80's or early 90's.

1990
§ Liz Philpot won the ECOB "Young Engineer of the Year" Award.

1991/1992
Patty Barron won the ECOB "Young Engineer of the Year" Award, the 4th in a row SWE member to receive the honor.

2002
Alicia Rudolph won the ECOB "Young Engineer of the Year" Award
Sandy Wood won the ECOB "Distinguished Service Award of the Year" Award.

Alicia Rudolph (left) Sandy Wood (right)

2003
Jennifer Gray won the ECOB "Young Engineer of the Year" Award
Michelle Ballew won the ECOB "Distinguished Service Award of the Year" Award.

Michelle Ballew (left)  Jennifer Gray (right) 

2004
Martha Warren Bidez won the "Engineer of the Year" Award

 



Members on national SWE Board:
 Michelle Ballew, Region Director FY95-FY96
Kathy Mergl, Region Director FY99-FY00
Sandy Wood, Region Director FY02-FY04

 

2006/2007

February 10, 2007 Career Fair at Honda, in Lincoln Alabama

  • February 10, 2007 MathCounts Competition, Cahaba Pumping Station

  • February 22, ECOB Banquet at McWane

  • March 2-4, 2007 Region D Conference at Tuscaloosa, Alabama

  • March 10, Girl Scout Math and Science Fair at McWane.

  • June 27, SWE End of the Year Meeting

  • June 27, Ballots due electronically

2007/2008

  • Kick off Meeting at Cahaba Pump Station

  • Holiday Party

  • Honda Manufacturing Plant Tour

  • ECOB Nomineers:

  • YEOY - Erica Hardy

  • EOY - Jennifer Harper

  • DSA - Dr. Beth Todd

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