Seven electrical and computer engineers with ties to Missouri University of Science and Technology were inducted into the Missouri S&T Academy of Electrical and Computer Engineers during the academy’s induction ceremony, which was held at the Comfort Suites Conference Center in Rolla, Missouri, on April 20.

The academy is an advisory group to the Missouri S&T electrical and computer engineering department. Founded in 1980, the academy is composed of alumni and other electrical and computer engineers who have made outstanding contributions to their profession.

New members are listed below:

• Dean S. Ford of Baltimore, chief operating officer and executive vice president for Westin Engineering Inc., earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Missouri S&T in 1995. Ford began his career as an engineer I at MAGNUM Technologies Inc. and served in roles of increasing responsibility with MAGNUM, as well as with Process Analysts Inc., MAVERICK Technologies Inc. and Wunderlich-Malec Engineering Inc. before joining Westin Engineering in 2013. A certified automation professional, Ford is a licensed control systems engineer in 15 states and is a member of several professional organizations.
• Tina E. Gaines of Baxter Springs, Kansas, director of engineering for the Empire District Electric Co., earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Missouri S&T in 1989. Gaines began her career as a telecommunications engineer for Dow Chemical in 1989. In 1996, she joined the Empire District Electric Co., where she served as telecommunications engineer, manager of telecommunications and director of telecommunications before being named director of engineering in 2011. A member of the Missouri S&T Corporate Development Council, Gaines has given presentations at S&T’s Expanding Your Horizons and for the Chancellor’s Leadership Academy. She has served as interim director of Fast Freedom Wireless Internet Provider and interim director of Purchasing and Stores, she volunteers for Teach Reading to Every Kid and is a 2003 graduate of Leadership Joplin.
• Mark R. Hoffman of St. Louis, president and co-founder of Automation and Control Concepts Inc., earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Missouri S&T in 1986. Hoffman began his career as an automation engineer for System Dynamics International Inc., where he worked extensively with the U.S. Army Aviation Systems Command. In 1992, he joined SAIC Benham as an automation engineer providing automation programming and startup for Fortune 100 food and beverage and other industry markets. Hoffman founded Mark Hoffman and Associates Inc. in 1994 and served as company president until 1996, when he co-founded Automation and Control Concepts Inc., which is one of the top five largest systems integrators in the Midwest and one of the top 50 worldwide.
• Marcus A. Huggans of Mesquite, Texas, senior director of external relations for the National GEM Consortium, earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering in 1996 and master of science and Ph.D. degrees in engineering management in 1997 and 1998, respectively – all from Missouri S&T. Huggans began his career as a technical sales engineer and trainer for Texas Instruments Inc., where he served in roles of increasing responsibility until 2004, when he began a two-year term as director of student diversity and academic support programs at Missouri S&T. In 2006, he took his current position. Among his many professional accomplishments is membership in IEEE, National Society of Professional Engineers, ASEE, IEEE-HKN, Tau Beta Pi, Sigma Xi, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and the National Society of Black Engineers.
• Kevin J. McEnery of St. Louis, CEO of McEnery Automation Corp., earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Missouri S&T in 1986. He began his career as an applications engineer for Wilco Precision Testers. He worked as a plant engineer for Owens-Illinois, a control systems engineer for Hampton-Tilley Associates and an applications engineer for Rockwell Automation before becoming CEO of McEnery Automation Corp. in 1994. He is a member of the Missouri S&T Corporate Development Council and the Master Brewer’s Association of America and is a licensed professional engineer in Missouri.
• Michael E. McEnery of St. Louis, president of McEnery Automation Corp., earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Missouri S&T in 1985. He began his career with Boise-Cascade and worked for Bussmann, French Gerleman Electric and FeedForward Inc. before becoming president of McEnery Automation in 1993. He has served as vice president and treasurer of World Batch Forum and is a member of IEEE.
• Gregory A. O’Neill Jr. of Rockledge, Florida, chairman of Helical Communication Technologies, earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Missouri S&T in 1965. He also holds a master of electrical engineering degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology. O’Neill began his career as a semiconductor engineer for Motorola in 1965 and held positions of increasing responsibility at Radio Corporation of America, Heath Co., Regency Electronics, Magnavox Electronic Systems Co., Rockwell International, Ericksson, SkyCross and DRS Technologies before joining Helical Communications Technologies in 2011. O’Neill holds over 20 U.S. patents in antenna and radio technology. He is a senior life member of IEEE and past vice chair for the Canaveral Section. He is an American Red Cross volunteer and a life member of the American Radio Relay League.