October 25, 2023 by SME Welcome to our Chapter Officer Spotlight where we highlight leaders from various SME chapters including professional and student chapter leaders. This month, we spoke with student chapter officer Nathon Tubbs of Auburn & Tuskegee Universities Joint Chapter S394 and professional chapter officer Bryan Dods of Greenville-Spartanburg. Learn what interests them in manufacturing and check out their experiences as SME members. Bryan Dods To say that Bryan Dods of SME Chapter 164 is an experienced engineer is an understatement. As Chair, Bryan has made it his mission to revitalize the chapter by increasing the activity rate. So far, he says he’s seeing significant engagement from members in the area. Although Bryan has been an SME member for over a decade, this is his first foray into chapter leadership. After a 35-year career in aerospace with Boeing and power generation with General Electric Energy, he is focusing on manufacturing consulting in composite structures and additive manufacturing. Of his move to consulting, Bryan said, “I love the consulting field because it allows me to work on projects I am passionate about. During his demanding career, Bryan supported SME in a variety of roles, serving with the North American Manufacturing Research Institute for nearly 10 years. Along the way, his industry accomplishments and service helped earn him the M. Eugene Merchant Manufacturing Medal of ASME/SME, which honors an exceptional individual who has had significant influence and responsibility for improving the productivity and efficiency of manufacturing operations. He also was inducted into the SME College of Fellows in 2017, a highly prestigious honor that can only be earned through 20 or more years of dedication and service. Nathon Tubbs Nathon Tubbs is more than just the chapter president of SME Auburn & Tuskegee Universities Joint Chapter S394, he’s a second-generation engineer who’s also spent the summer as an intern working on a National Science Foundation Future Manufacturing project as part of Purdue University’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship.Purdue is participating with Tuskegee and Harvard Universities and Ivy Tech Community College on a National Science Foundation study of the use of artificial intelligence in manufacturing. He also has a familial connection to Purdue: Nathon’s father is an alumnus of Purdue with a degree in industrial engineering.“My dad is sort of my image of an ideal father,” Tubbs said. “He was able to come into an area where he knew no one – into a community where he had no allies – and create a home for his family. The way he’s been able to do that, at least in part, is thanks to Purdue University.”In addition to being a new SME member and student chapter officer, Nathon’s also involve in the National Association of Black Engineers at his alma mater, where he also is an official university ambassador, and he’s a researcher with Nucor Educational Research.When asked what he likes best about being a chapter officer, he said, “it’s the engagement in my field and providing students with the opportunities that can go on to support a family and advance the field of manufacturing.”We predict a long and successful manufacturing career for this future mechanical engineer.
