Joaquin Martinez worked in the global oil and gas sector with ExxonMobil and Hess Corp. for more than 25 years – including as general manager and director of Asia at Hess. The first-generation college graduate has mentored hundreds of UA Engineering students and early career professionals. He received the college’s 2018 Professional Achievement Award and is a scholarship founder.

Presenting: ‘Consciously Unbiased’
Talent is naturally distributed. Opportunities are not. To solve the global problems of tomorrow, it is imperative for leaders to tap into diverse talent. 

Gary Harper worked in the electric utility industry for 40 years, predominantly with the Salt River Project in Phoenix. He held various executive positions and managed customer service, distribution, transmission and generation departments. In 2003, he received the UA Alumni Association’s Bear Down Award, and, in 2015, he earned its highest honor, the Alumni Achievement Award.

Thomas Peterson returned to campus a few years after earning his UA degree – as a faculty member, chair of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, and ultimately, dean of the College of Engineering for 12 years. The native Tucsonan, who recently retired, went on to serve as assistant director of the Engineering Directorate at the National Science Foundation and provost and executive vice chancellor at the University of California, Merced, among other positions. 

Kristina Swallow’s 25-year career spans engineering, public policy and community advocacy. In 2019, she was appointed director of the Nevada Department of Transportation, leading a team of 1,800 people. Among her accomplishments, Swallow was named 2018 president of the American Society of Civil Engineers and 2019 Distinguished Alumna for UA Civil and Architectural Engineering and Mechanics.

Brody Rastall is a member of Women in Mining and the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration, which promote the industry to the public. She volunteers at alumni events in her home state of Colorado and recently spoke at an event highlighting the Wildcat journey and importance of scholarship support. Her story has inspired numerous students to join UA mining engineering.

Andrew Friedman has been with Microsoft, most recently as principal program manager, since graduating from the university. In his 11 years with the company, he has worked on products that touch the lives of millions, such as Microsoft Outlook. The once Engineering Ambassador now recruits UA Engineering graduates for positions at Microsoft, speaks in classes and mentors students.