2021
McKelvey Engineering Awards Washington University in St. Louis McKelvey School of Engineering
McKelvey Engineering Awards Tuesday, April 27, 2021
alumni achievement awards
Mark Barteau, BS ‘76 Vice President for Research, Texas A&M University Louis Griesemer, BS ‘77 Board Chair, Erlen Group Tony Nocchiero, BS ‘73 Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer (ret.), CF Industries, Inc. Nancy Pendleton, MS ‘93, MS ‘93 Vice President BDS Mission Systems, Boeing engineering entrepreneurship award
Blake Marggraff, BS ‘15 Chief Executive Officer, CareSignal Joe McDonald, BS ‘15, MBA ‘15 President, CareSignal dean’s award
Gary Wendlandt, BS ‘72 Vice Chairman of the Board (ret.), New York Life Insurance Company
Mark Barteau alu m n i ac hiev em en t awar d
Mark Barteau has been widely recognized for his scientific and professional leadership in the fields of chemistry and chemical engineering. As vice president for research at Texas A&M University and professor in the department of chemistry, his research focuses on chemical reactions at solid surfaces and their applications in various catalysis and energy processes. With a commitment to diversifying the global energy portfolio, Barteau served as director of the University of Michigan’s Energy Institute. He formerly was the senior vice provost for research and strategic initiatives at the University of Delaware, where he held appointments as the Robert L. Pigford chair of chemical engineering and professor of chemistry & biochemistry. In this role, Barteau helped create new facilities for several university-wide institutes, including biotechnology, rehabilitation, and environmental institutes. Barteau has received numerous grants throughout his career from such prestigious institutions as the National Science Foundation, the United States Department of Energy, the United States Air Force Office of Scientific Research and NASA. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, an elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. As a recipient of the Langsdorf Scholarship and student member of the American Institute of Honorary Professional Chemical Engineers, he is a loyal supporter of the university. Barteau and his wife, Diane Jorgensen, also a Washington University alum, are Eliot Society Benefactor members and reside in Bryan, TX. Barteau earned a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from Washington University in 1976. He also holds a master of science degree and a doctor of philosophy in chemical engineering from Stanford University.
Louis Griesemer alu m n i ac hiev em en t awar d
As a longtime Springfield, Missouri resident, Louis Griesemer leads by example with a continued thirst for knowledge. With a highly ethical approach, he has created safe operating environments in the underground business and made an impact on his community. With the founding of Griesemer Stone Company in 1946, Griesemer entered the family business as a safety director and mine planner providing crushed limestone to the construction and agricultural markets. In 1994, the company merged to become Springfield Underground. For the next 23 years, Griesemer served as president and chief executive officer, overseeing the operations of several stone quarries in southwest Missouri. In 2017, Griesemer retired and passed the company to a third-generation family member. Griesemer currently serves as chairman of the board for Erlen Group, which was created as a corporate umbrella for Springfield Underground and other real estate investments. Erlen Group manages more than 2.5 million square feet of warehouse and data storage space. The company was awarded Developer of the Year by Springfield Contractors Association in 2019. The Springfield Chamber of Commerce recognized Griesemer with the 2020 Springfieldian Award for his outstanding community service, industry excellence and dedication to improving the quality of life for Springfield and its citizens. Along with his lifetime of professional achievements, Griesemer has been a volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America, Ozark Trails Council, City of Springfield’s Traffic Advisory Board, and serves as a board member for Missouri’s Show-Me Institute. Griesemer earned a bachelor of science degree in applied mathematics and computer science from Washington University in 1977. He and his wife, Caroline, are Eliot Society members and reside in Springfield, MO.
Tony Nocchiero alu m n i ac hiev em en t awar d
Tony Nocchiero has a natural talent for identifying potential and helping others grow. Through multiple careers he exemplified this talent as he led global finance teams, managed complex organizational change, and leveraged expertise to support business profitability. Nocchiero began his career as a financial analyst with Amoco Corporation in 1975. Over the next 23 years, he was a member of the senior leadership team filling a variety of financial and management roles for the company’s exploration and production, refining and marketing, and chemical operations. After Amoco’s 1998 merger with BP, Nocchierro became the chief financial officer at BP Chemicals and guided the accounting services team responsible for integrating the companies. He later served as chief financial officer of Merisant Worldwide and in 2007 joined CF Industries Inc. as senior vice president and chief financial officer. He led CF’s team responsible for its transformative $5.4 billion acquisition of Terra Industries. Since retiring in 2010, Nocchiero has served on the board of directors for Callon Petroleum, an independent oil and natural gas company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of high-quality assets. Nocchiero is a committed volunteer for Washington University serving as a member of the McKelvey School of Engineering National Council and the Chicago Regional Cabinet to help advance the university’s mission. Nocchiero earned a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from Washington University in 1973. He also holds a master of business administration from Northwestern University. Nocchiero and his wife Andy, also a Washington University alum, are members of the Eliot Society Danforth Circle Chancellor’s level and reside in Chicago, IL.
Nancy Pendleton alu m n i ac hiev em en t awar d
From advanced computing networks to creating innovative solutions that are defining the next generation of aerospace, Nancy Pendleton is building the future. As the vice president of mission systems for Boeing Defense, Space & Security Engineering, Pendleton is responsible for executing and developing processes and performance metrics on Boeing platforms. As the senior chief engineer for mission systems, payloads, and sensors, she also ensures the technical integrity of all Boeing mission systems. Since starting her career at Boeing in 1988, Pendleton has served in several leadership roles with increased breadth and responsibility. She served as director of systems engineering with Boeing Phantom Works. This advanced prototyping arm of the defense and security unit offers disruptive solutions and advanced technologies for future needs. When she was vice president of systems support & analytics of the Boeing Research & Technology center, she managed a team of scientists, technicians, and engineers responsible for integrated technology development. In 2019, she was inducted into the Academy of Electrical and Computer Engineering, which recognized her outstanding contribution to the profession, leadership, and involvement with Missouri University of Science & Technology. As an advocate for empowering women in STEM fields, Pendleton serves as a mentor for the Women & Engineering Leadership Society, Society of Women Engineers, and the Engineering Mentor Program. She is also a member of the McKelvey School of Engineering National Council. Pendleton earned two master of science degrees in management of technology and engineering management from Washington University in 1993. She holds a bachelor of science degree in electrical and electronics engineering from Missouri University of Science & Technology. Pendleton and her husband, Keith, are Eliot Society members and reside in St. Louis, MO.
Blake Marggraff • Joe McDonald e ng i n eer in g en t rep r en eu rsh ip awa r d As change-makers, thought leaders, and visionaries — Blake Marggraff and Joe McDonald knew that their entrepreneurial partnership and complementary approach would make a significant impact. CareSignal, founded in 2015, is a deviceless remote patient monitoring platform that reduces hospitalizations and improves care for patients with chronic conditions. CareSignal serves dozens of large health systems and physician groups across the United States. Over two dozen conditionspecific programs, covering diseases from diabetes and heart failure to substance use and postpartum depression, deliver evidence-based improvements and operational, clinical, and financial returns. As CEO, Marggraff guides the AI strategy, leveraging vertically integrated data collection and downstream solution implementation to deliver engagement, outcomes, and returns as CareSignal grows. With an analytical approach to innovation and strategy as president, McDonald creates disruptive business models to improve quality and reduce costs. The St. Louis Business Journal recognized Marggraff and McDonald as future leaders of the regional and the local business community with the ‘30 under 30’ award. CareSignal’s technology has been recognized by the 2018 Forbes Impact Summit and Prime Healthcare Competition, and its clinical impact is evidenced by ten positiveoutcome peer reviewed journal publications. In 2016, the company was selected by the Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship for the Global Impact Award, which recognizes ventures that are scalable, sustainable, and quick-to-market with proof of concept and a broad impact. Marggraff serves on the board of Midwest based non-profit iFM Family Medicine and mentors promising student-entrepreneurs each year at the University of Missouri– St. Louis. McDonald serves as a member of the LEAD Initiative for Olin Business School and is committed to enhancing the impact and connectedness of emerging leaders. Marggraff earned a bachelor of arts in biology from Washington University in 2015. McDonald earned a bachelor of science in biomedical engineering and master of business administration from Washington University in 2015.
Gary Wendlandt d ean ’ s award
With guidance from his father, Gary Wendlandt pursued Washington University as a chemical engineering major, then gravitated toward the study of probability, statistics, and mathematical operations. In 1972, Wendlandt worked as an actuarial student at Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. In 1980, as the insurance industry scrambled to adapt to soaring interest rates, Wendlandt was tapped as the first actuary at MassMutual to join the firm’s investment department to solve new problems. Three years later, he took charge as the company’s head of securities investments. Over the next three decades, Wendlandt grew with MassMutual, eventually serving as chief investment officer before moving to New York Life Insurance Co., the largest mutual life insurance company in the United States and a Fortune 100 company, to create and lead the firm’s investment activities through New York Life Investment Management. He was credited with steering the company’s investment portfolio wisely through the 2007 and 2008 Great Recession. The “quality tilt” strategy that he used to adjust an investment portfolio to market conditions is now used as a case study in Harvard Business Review. In 2010, he retired as vice chairman of the board. Wendlandt is a past member of the Washington University Board of Trustee. He presently serves on the McKelvey School of Engineering National Council and New York Regional Cabinet. In recognition of his professional achievements, the school bestowed its Alumni Achievement Award on Wendlandt in 2006. He also supports the Actors’ Equity Association and is a long-standing member of the Boy Scouts of America’s national executive board. For many years, Wendlandt and his wife, Peg, have been generous benefactors for engineering at Washington University by supporting undergraduate scholarships. They are members of the Eliot Society Danforth Circle Chancellor’s Level and reside in New York City, NY. Wendlandt earned a bachelor of science degree in applied mathematics and computer science from Washington University in 1972.