What is your next adventure?

I’m a helicopter pilot stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base, in Albuquerque New Mexico and I will be transitioning to flying a HH60W helicopter. These helicopters are used for combat search and rescue missions. I’m also a pilot instructor.

What about your next adventure are you most looking forward to?

I’m most looking forward to having the opportunity to be deployed. I don’t know where it will be, but I’m looking forward to it.

Did you have any previous co-op, internship, or research experience in this area?

I earned my bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Virginia Military Institute (r VMI) , then I came to Georgia Tech to pursue my masters. I felt connected to Georgia Tech. My grandfather, Emil Spieth, is a Georgia Tech alumnus who graduated in 1960 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. My aunt, Cynthia Morton, is also an alumnus, and she graduated in 1988 with a degree in Management Science. I did much of my research at the Army Research Lab in Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. My work there was focused on defense for armored vehicles.  I've also submitted my work for publication and presentation at an AIAA Conference next summer.

How did your educational experience at Georgia Tech help you to achieve your goals?

What I learned at Georgia Tech helped me to understand why and how things work. It also made my work more tangible. Dr. Lakshmi Sankar was very good; I really liked him. He helped me with my research project. I worked on redesigning the tip region of the UH-60A helicopter rotor to produce the same thrust while reducing the power consumption. As part of this work, I also designed new airfoils that generate good lift but have a very low drag.

 What advice would you give to an underclassman who would like to follow the same path?

Don’t shut any doors. Keep your options open. You may want to explore that opportunity later.