Southeast Florida SWE

Current Officers

President
Name: Kim Seager, P.E.
Email: Kim.Seager@swe.org
Hometown: West Palm Beach, FL
Position(s): Power Systems Engineer, Florida Power & Light
Discipline: Civil Engineering
Degree (s) & Year of Graduation:
Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, University of Florida, 2002
Master of Engineering, Transportation, University of Florida, 2004
Interests: I enjoy traveling, swimming, reading, music, scrapbooking and watching television (especially college football, baseball, The O.C. and Gilmore Girls)

Why I joined SWE:
I have been a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and a member of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) where I served as vice president of the University of Florida ITE Chapter. While these organizations are very important to me they are both technical organizations. I was looking for a society that focuses on professional development and I found that with SWE. SWE discusses topics from work-life balance to the corporate retention of women engineers. SWE has also provided me the opportunity to volunteer and work with children teaching them how fun and exciting math and science can be. Participating in SWE has been a very valuable and fun experience for me.

Vice President/Professional Development Chair
Name: Patricia (Patty) Campbell
Email: Pcampbell@belcan.com
Hometown: North Palm Beach, Florida
Position: Site Manager, GEE, Belcan Corporation
Discipline: Mechanical Design, Project Management
Degree(s) and Year of Graduation:
- Bachelor of Science Mechanical Engineering, University of Massachusetts (Amherst, MA), 1987
- MBA, Portland State University, 1999
Interests: Traveling, boating, SCUBA diving, kayaking, spending time with my family.

Why I joined SWE:
I think it is important to expose girls to math and science. Growing up, I was lucky to have a father who was a nuclear physicist that tried to make my math and science homework fun so that I would want to know more. I want to help show girls that being technical and smart is fun! Plus, I want girls to know that they can do many things with an engineering degree. On a professional note, women engineers are in the minority and I believe SWE provides a great outlet to shares experiences, lessons learned, network, etc…

Treasurer
Name: Julianna (Julika) Michna, P.E.
Email:Julika.michna@swe.org
Hometown: Jupiter, FL
Position: Project Engineer, Environmental Resources Management (ERM)
Discipline: Environmental Engineering, specialized in air permitting and air quality compliance
Degree (s):
- Bachelor of Science, Polymer & Textile Chemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1999
- Master of Science, Textile Technology, Institute of Textile Technology, 2001
- Master, Environmental Engineering, Rice University, 2004
Interest: I enjoy travelling, shopping, cooking, going to the theater or movies, and refereeing volleyball.

Why I joined SWE:
Throughout my college career I had numerous friends that were members of SWE. I never got involved because my undergraduate degree was not in engineering, but was always curious. A few years ago I had a client in Texas that was a SWE member and she would tell me about all of the projects and activities that she did as part of SWE. She encouraged me to learn more about my local section to see what opportunities were available. I become involved and really enjoyed the service projects, fun activities, and networking. I am very excited to be an officer this year. My only regret is that I did not join SWE sooner.

Secretary/Data Officer and Girl Scouts/North
Name: Laura Kerr
Email: laura.kerr@swe.org
Hometown: Jupiter, FL
Position: Consultant
Discipline: Systems Analyst
Degree(s):
- B. S. Systems Science, University of West Florida
- M. S. Systems Analysis, University of West Florida
Interests: Arts, Environment, Sports, Travel, Volunteerism

Why I joined SWE:
Because of their commitment to science education outreach. I enjoy collaborating with SWE members on our various science education program offerings.

Section Representative
Name: Karolyn Tiefenbach
Email: otherk@aol.com
Hometown: Detroit,MI
Position: Retired Automotive Executive
Discipline: Assoc. Degree Architectural Design
Degree (s): BSME
- MBA
- Masters in Liberal Arts, focusing on Philosophy and World History
Interests: kayaking, swimming, reading, quilting, travel and being with friends

Why I joined SWE: I joined SWE 8 years ago to support my employer's at the time (Chrysler) membership in the Corporate Partnership Council and later took on the roll of chairing that committee and being involved at the that level in other committees. I enjoy the interface with other women and support increasing the growth of women in engineering and science.

Webmaster
Name: Sally Nemes
Email: sally.nemes@gmail.com
Hometown: Boca Raton, FL
Position: Specialist II - CAFM - IT Solutions, School District of Palm Beach County
Discipline: Software Enginering
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Computer Engineering, Vanderbilt University
Interests: I enjoy my family, my pets, volunteering, playing golf, music such as opera and playing flute and piano and watching sports especially football.

Why I joined SWE:
Joining SWE has been a fun and professional way to complement my software engineering. The society has broaden my expectations, exposing me to a variety of professionals eager to share their experiences and advices worth a million in the challenging world of an Engineer. SWE, I have found, is here to help everyone succeed.

Membership Chair
Name: Anetha Lue
Hometown: Pembroke Pines, FL
Position: Environmental Engineering, Energy Environment Exchange Inc.
Discipline: Environmental Engineering
Degree: Bachelors degree in Chemical Engineer, University of South Florida
- Masters in Business Administration and a Graduate certificate in Sustainable Communities, Florida International University
- Professional Engineering license in Mechanical Engineering
Interests: nature walks, art

Why I joined SWE: Primarily to serve the community more effectively, as part of a team, and to have fun while doing so.

Girl Scouts/South
Name: Heather Baburek Guenot, P.E.
Email: hguenot@calvin-giodano.com
Hometown: Plantation, FL
Position: Project Manager, Highway Engineering Department for Calvin, Giordano & Associates
Discipline: Civil Engineer
Degree(s): B. S. Civil Engineering
Interests: Spending time with my family, travelling abroad, reading, cooking, and swing dancing.

Why I joined SWE: I have been involved in SWE since my college years at Purdue University. I have found SWE to be a valuable professional networking opportunity, as well as an enjoyable social group. It has provided a wonderful forum for community involvement through SWE outreach programs with the Girl Scouts. I am pleased to have the opportunity to serve the Southeast Florida SWE chapter again as an officer.

Scholarship Chair
Name: Marisa Lopez, E.I.
Email: marisa.lopez@kimley-horn.com
Hometown: West Palm Beach, FL
Position: Civil Analyst, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
Discipline: Civil Engineering
Degree(s):
- AA , Palm Beach Community College
- BS, Civil Engineering, University of Florida
Interests: I enjoy spending time with my family and dancing.

Why I joined SWE: SWE focuses on professional development and community outreach which are both passions of mine. As women engineers, we face different struggles and challenges professionally from our male counterparts. It is great to be able to express and share thoughts and ideas about the engineering field with other women. The community outreach not only promotes engineering to students, but teaches the children to never stop asking questions and if you can think it, you can do it.

Public Relations Chair
Name: Crystle George
Email: crystaljg@yahoo.com
Hometown: North Little Rock, AR
Position (s): Mechanical Field Engineer, Bechtel Power Corporation
Discipline: Construction Management
Degree (s): Bachelor of Science, Construction Management, 2007
- Associate of Science, Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology, 2006
Interests: I enjoy traveling, outdoor activities, going to church, spending quality time with my family, doing community outreach events. I am also involved with NSBE, where I am the Communications Chair of the Special Interest Group called Women in Science and Engineering, I am also the President of NextGen at Turkey Point Nuclear – EPU Project where the group’s focus is on supporting the orientation, development, retention, and empowerment of employees as they begin and build their careers with Bechtel.

Why I joined SWE:
I originally joined SWE during my college career. I joined because it would be a good networking opportunity for me and also liked the professional development aspect. Having a woman group in a technical field was much needed for me during my college career. I enjoy being a part of this organization.

Newsletter Editor
Name: Eileen M. Vélez-Vega
Email: Eileen.Velez@swe.org
Hometown: West Palm Beach, Florida
Position (s): Civil Aviation Analyst, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
Discipline: Civil Engineering, specialized airfield pavements and aviation design
Degree (s):
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez
- Masters Degree candidate, Civil Engineering University of Florida
Year of Graduation: 2003
Interests: She enjoys traveling with her husband, teaching Yoga and Pilates as well as reading, dancing and relaxing at the beach.

Why I joined SWE:
I’m happy to have served as the Southeast Florida section President and to help revitalize SWE in the area. My SWE journey began as a student member of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM) Section where I held several officer positions such as the secretary, president, and chair of the 2003 SWE Region D Conference in Puerto Rico. At the Region C level, I was Professional Development chair (2004), and served as the SWE counselor for the Louisiana Tech University student section. For the past two years I’ve been a speaker at Regional and National conferences, and served in the SWE Conference Programming Board as a student liaison. One of my main goals in SWE has always been outreach. I have a passion for helping young students and professionals develop themselves in SWE to promote leadership and career advancement. In 2005 I was very fortunate to become the founder and president of the SWE Mississippi River City Section in Vicksburg, Mississippi. This was the first SWE professional section in the state of Mississippi. I also consider other engineering societies important for my career specially those associated with my engineering discipline, which is why I’m an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers where I’ve worked in the Engineers Week activities and National technical committees. I’m also a member of the Flexible Pavement Construction and Rehabilitation Committee of the Transportation Research Board. But even though I enjoy working with these other societies and organizations SWE has been one of the most valuable assets in my engineering career. SWE is an opportunity to develop as a strong leader and inspire engineers to achieve their highest potential. You never know who you might inspire next!
Learn more about me...