Join Engineering at Illinois for Engineering Convergence in Schaumburg, Illinois on March 18. This dinner and discussion provides an opportunity for engineering students and alumni to interact, share information and career advice, and build networks in an informal, non-recruiting setting. We would love to have you join us!
When:
Monday, March 18, 2013
6:30pm
Where:
Maggiano’s Little Italy
1901 East Woodfield Road
Schaumburg, Illinois
Who is invited:
We extend an Engineering Convergence invitation to all Engineering at Illinois alumni, current students and admitted students as well as your guests.
Alumni Panel:
Join our Alumni Panel at Engineering Convergence. The panel will be available during dessert to answer any questions you may have.
Chris George
Chris graduated with his BS in Computer Engineering and MS in Electrical Engineering from Illinois before earning his JD from the University of Illinois College of Law. Chris is a shareholder with the intellectual property law firm of Hanley, Flight & Zimmerman, LLC, in Chicago. Chris works with large companies, small companies, individual inventors and universities to help them gain patent protection, prepare for new product development, and develop effective patent strategies. Chris is involved as an officer in the ECE Alumni Association and, prior to law school, worked in the field of computer architecture.
Ravi Thakkar
Ravi Thakkar graduated with a B.S. in Computer Engineering from the University of Illinois '07. Ravi is a Sr. Manager of Product Management at Motorola Mobility, a Google company. He has held a variety of roles at Motorola including sales, business development, supply chain, and product development. He is currently pursuing his Executive MBA from the Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. As a student at Illinois, he was the founder of Engineering Initiatives and Co-Founder of Engineering Student Alumni Ambassadors. Ravi is also the recipient of the college's prestigious Knight's of St. Patrick award for leadership.
Jim Christensen
Jim Christensen received his BS degree in General Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1977. He began his career at Caterpillar Tractor Company in Peoria as a Research Engineer.
Mr. Christensen left Cat in 1984 to join the Information Technology department at Baxter Healthcare Corporation. During the past 28 years, he has held a number of positions with responsibility for software application implementation and support, systems engineering and computing infrastructure, including network engineering, desktop services, helpdesk support and data center operations. Currently he holds the position of Sr. IT Manager for R&D Systems.
In 1990, Mr. Christensen was listed in “Who’s Who in the Computer Industry.” He is a member of the University of Illinois Alumni Association and the President’s Council, and a past member of the ISE Alumni Board.
Ira Cohen
Ira Cohen graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in 1980. He started his career working for Professional Computer Resources (PCR), a consulting company in Oakbrook, Illinois.
Ira left PCR to start Advanced Systems Concepts (ASC) in 1982 to develop business software for the IBM midrange market. ASC was purchased in 2006 by Help Systems of Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
Since selling his company, Ira has been involved in various charities as well as maintaining a relationship with the University of Illinois College of Engineering and Computer Science Department and is a member of the University of Illinois Foundation.
Jim D’Orazio
Jim D’Orazio has a BS in General Engineering from the University of Illinois, MS in Business from Purdue University. Before joining SNC Lavalin as a Principal Project Manager, he created an engineering consulting company Vista Advantage, which serviced the commercial real estate market. One of the company's major roles was to provide technical and fiduciary oversight to a multimillion dollar trust established for past Katrina relief in Mississippi.
Prior to being the President of Vista Advantage, Jim led technical service organizations during his tenure as S.V.P., Director of Engineering & Operations for Jones Lang LaSalle and S.V.P., National Director of Facilities Resource Group for Grubb & Ellis. His experiences include support design and management of corporate engineering services, new business development and operational quality assurance initiatives. In his technology leadership role, he conceived and led the implementation of a web based Emergency Preparedness Plan for commercial real estate, winning the Corenet Global Innovators Award for 2003. Prior to his career in commercial real estate, Jim spent 25 years in the Steel Industry where prior to his retirement held the position of Chief Environmental Compliance Officer for the company.
Jim is a member of the NSPE, Indiana Society of Professional Engineers, AISI ISO 14000 Task Force, AISE– Chicago Section, Ex-Vice Chairman, and a former BOMA Energy Subcommittee Member.
Registration:
Registration will include dinner.
$10 per student or admitted student
$25 per alumni or guest
Dress Code:
Casual or Business Casual
RSVP by:
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Questions:
Please contact Peyton Zerrusen at peytonz@illinois.edu or 217.300.5039.
