University of Cincinnati

Words of Wisdom:
Follow your dreams and never give up! Persistence is Key.

Contact Information
Shannon McKenzie
General Electric Aviation
Technology Implementation Manager
Email: shannon.mckenzie@ae.ge.com
Phone: 513-552-5167

Shannon McKenzie
Mechanical Engineering
BSME 1997, MSME 2000

Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
High School: Walnut Hills High School

Summary of Experience
12 years at General Electric Aviation

What I’m doing now
I am the Technology Implementation Manager for the Diagnostics & Prognostics Center at GE Aviation. We monitor aircraft engines while planes are flying and develop algorithms to detect performance trend shifts.
I am a wife and mother of three, team mom for Winton Woods Lil’ Warriors cheerleading team, and a GE Mentor for E3 Students.

The Role E3 Played
The Emerging Ethnic Engineering program was the foundation in which my education was built. The Bridge program introduced me to cooperative learning which was a key part of succeeding in the engineering program. The guidance and the moral support from Ken Simonson and Christine Johnson gave me the extra push I needed to get through.

Arthur Jackson III
Industrial Engineering
BSIE, 2005

Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
High School: Hughes Center High School

Summary of Experience
5 years at General Electric Aviation

What I’m doing now
I am currently the Lead Assembly Engineer for two Development Genx Engines. We build, improve and test jet engines, for certification by the FAA.
I’m married, and I enjoy football, and fishing.

The Role E3 Played
Very simply put, without the E^3 program, I would not have graduated with an Engineering Degree. E^3 was one of the most important pieces of my college experience, because of the guidance and relationships it helped to build. E^3 provided me with a group of students that I felt comfortable studying with. When I struggled academically, Mr. Simonson helped me lay out a plan to pull my grades back up. E^3 also helped me find a mentor within my field of study. All of these relationships were vital to my completion of school, the co-op program and eventually being hired as a full-time Engineer.

Words of Wisdom:
To whom much is given, Much is Required.

Contact Information
Arthur Jackson III
General Electric Aviation
Development Assembly Engineer
Email: arthur.jackson@ae.ge.com

Words of Wisdom:
Life is queer with its twists and turns,.As everyone of us sometimes learns,.And many a failure turns about,.When he might have won had he stuck it out,.Don’t give up, though the pace seems slow;.You might succeed with another blow.

Contact Information
Devon L. Shepherd .
M&I Assembly Shift Leader
Email: devon.shepherd@ge.com

Devon L. Shepherd
Industrial Engineering
BSIE 2004

Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
High School: Pickerington High School

Summary of Experience
In college, was involved with the E3, NAACP, NSBE, Sigma Phi Women’s Honorary, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Co-op with GE Aviation throughout college. Was hired full-time with GE Aviation into their Operations Management Leadership Program. Traveled the US working as a Process Engineer, Operations Leader, LEAN Leader, and Forecaster.

What I’m doing now
Working in Cincinnati at GE Marine & Industrial Engine Assembly as their 1st Shift Leader. Responsible for engine deliveries, quality & safety for 50 hourly employees. In addition, I am a Girl Scout Leader.

The Role E3 Played
E3 provided a sound support system to help me study and excel academically. Some of my closes friends are from E3. In college we ate, laughed, studied, and went thru the same struggles together. Professionally, E3 put us in front of many companies so we learned how to network and discuss technical topics with other professionals.

Michael Patton
Industrial Engineering
BSIE, 2002

Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
High School: Walnut Hills High School

Summary of Experience
8 years with USPS and 5 ½ years with GE Aviation

What I’m doing now
I am the plant leader for our Wilmington, NC plant facility. I oversee the day to day operations at this site which employs ~740 employees. We manufacture the rotating part components of the jet engine.
I am a husband and father of three boys. I enjoy spending time with my family, reading and playing golf

The Role E3 Played
E3 helped me get my life back on track. I originally entered college in 1992 at UC in the E3 program but I did not take advantage of the program or follow through with the requirements. Because of this, I ended up dropping out of school. After being out of school for 6 years, I decided to go back and E3 was very instrumental in helping get a second chance. I would not be where I am today if not for this program.

Words of Wisdom:
A man with great ideas is nothing without motivation.

Contact Information
Michael Patton
General Electric Aviation
Plant Leader – Wilmington, NC
Email: Mike.Patton@ge.com