Females in Technology

Success Stories

Melanie Abel and Kay Brown, 2011 Air Race Classic.
melanie and kay air show classic Melanie Abel and Kay Brown, compete in Air Race Classic. Storms affect performance, but pilots say it was a valuable learning experience. Pilots use different kinds of planes in the race, with each aircraft given a designated handicap speed, while the pilots work to have the plane's ground speed be as faster as the handicap speed as possible, according to the Air Race Classic website, which is at www.airraceclassic.org. During this year's race, half of the stops were canceled while racing hours were extended on the fourth day, which left pilots with more choices to determine the best times to travel. "We had almost three days to do half of the race, so there's a lot more strategy involved," Brown said. "You didn't have to start at noon on Wednesday. You could've waited, and that was completely different." Though the Indiana State team did not bring home any trophies this year, the classic provided strong experience for Brown, a student looking to become a professional pilot after she graduates from ISU. She was the youngest pilot in each of the past two Air Race Classics and did most of the ISU team's flying during the race. She benefited from flying with Abel, an ISU aviation technology instructor. Commercial pilots typically fly with other pilots and have to work together, Brown said.
Victoria Dunbar & Jessica Campbell, 2009 Air Race Classic
Sarah Fisher Women’s air racing all started in 1929 with the First Women’s Air Derby. Twenty pilots raced from Santa Monica, CA to Cleveland, OH, site of the National Air Races. Racing continued through the ‘30’s and was renewed again after WWII when the All Women’s Transcontinental Air Race (AWTAR), better known as the Powder Puff Derby, came into being. The AWTAR held its 30th, final and commemorative flight in 1977. When the AWTAR was discontinued, the Air Race Classic, Ltd., (ARC) stepped in to continue the tradition of transcontinental speed competition for women pilots and staged its premier race. The Air Race Classic was reincorporated in 2002 into the Air Race Classic, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. The current race routes are approximately 2,400 statute miles in length, and the contestants are usually given four days, flying VFR in daylight hours, to reach the terminus. Each plane is assigned a handicap speed – and the goal is to have the actual ground speed be as far over the handicap speed as possible. The pilots are thus given the leeway to play the elements, holding out for better weather, winds, etc. The objective is to fly the “perfect” cross-country. In this type of race, the official standings cannot be released until the final entrant has crossed the finish line. Actually, the last arrival can be the winner.

Click here to read about the 2009 Air Race Classic.
Sarah Rodie, Operations Management Consultant for Alcoa, Inc.
Sarah Fisher  Sarah Rodie is an Operations Management Consultant for Alcoa, Inc. Sarah graduated from Indiana State University in May 2009 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology and minor in Manufacturing Technology. Throughout her college career she participated in five semesters of internship/co-op experiences with Delphi Electronics & Safety and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana. She was also involved in various campus and professional organizations, and spent a summer studying abroad in London.
Sarah Fisher, Sarah Fisher Racing
Sarah Fisher At just 29 years old, Sarah Fisher has already competed in eight Indianapolis 500’s, been voted “Most Popular Driver” four times in two separate Series (IndyCar and NASCAR), been awarded an Advertising Age ‘Marketing 100’ award and enters her third season as a team owner in the IZOD IndyCar® Series in 2010. Fisher is the first woman to qualify fastest for a major North American open-wheel event, the fastest woman to ever qualify for the Indianapolis 500, the youngest woman to compete at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway in its 100-year history and the youngest team owner in the history of the IZOD IndyCar Series. Fisher has been a guest or profiled on a variety of national platforms such as, LIVE! with Regis & Kelly, The Tonight Show, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Today Show, The Price is Right, VH1’s Top 20 Countdown, Jeopardy!, Glamour, People, INC Magazine and Fast Company, to name a few. In 2008, Fisher formed her own race team: Sarah Fisher Racing (SFR), and made her first start as a team owner in the IZOD IndyCar Series’ Indianapolis 500. In May 2009, Fisher made her eighth start in the Indianapolis 500, marking the most number of starts for a woman in the 93-year history of the race. In 2010, Fisher will compete in a nine-race schedule with backing from Dollar General and attempt to qualify for her ninth Indianapolis 500 on May 15, 2010. For more information, please visit Sarah Fisher online at http://www.sarahfisher.com
Jessica Campbell, Indiana State University Aviation
Sarah Fisher  Jessica Campbell is currently a senior double majoring in Professional Aviation Technology and Aviation Administration. She will be graduating in May. She is also a Certified Flight Instructor at the Terre Haute Air Center. While at ISU Campbell has participated in the Women’s Air Race Classic, the National Intercollegiate Flight Team, and Alpha Eta Rho. She’s the captain of the flight team this year and will be participating in, and hosting, the National Competition in May.

Victoria Dunbar, Indiana State University Aviation
Sarah Fisher  AVictoria Dunbar is an instructor in the Aviation Technology Department at Indiana State University. Prior to coming to ISU, she was the Aviation Services Manager of the Terre Haute Air Center. She graduated from Indiana State University in December 2003 with a degree in Professional Aviation Flight Technology. She was a full time flight instructor at the Terre Haute Air Center starting in January of 2002, and was promoted in August of 2004 to Chief Flight Instructor. Victoria has been in her current position since November of 2005 where she supervises 16 flight instructors, 3 full time A&P mechanics, 13 Line Service Technicians, and 5 Customer Service Representatives.


Odessa Pennington, Quality Control Engineer for Shutz Container Systems
Sarah Fisher  Odessa Pennington is currently the Quality Control Engineer Manager/Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator for Shutz Container Systems, in Plainfield, IN. She graduated from ISU with a degree in Automotive Technology management and a minor in Manufacturing Technology. While at ISU, she was an active member of SAE, where she co-founded and executed the SAE annual Car Show, 3 years in a row. Also, she was a member of FIT, where she developed workshops for area girl scouts and local teens demonstrating advances in automotive safety and the mechanics behind fluid power.
Emily Randolph, Manufacturing Engineer for Unison Components
Sarah Fisher  Emily Randolph is a Manufacturing Engineer at Unison Engine Components in Terre Haute, IN, where they manufacture aerospace engine components. She graduated in May 2009 from Indiana State University with a degree in Manufacturing Technology. Emily has been with Unison for 5 years, 3 of which were spent working in production in the alloy department. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her three dogs.
Allison Terrell, University of Wisconsin
Sarah Fisher  Allison Terrell is currently attending the University of Wisconsin, in Madison, as a computer science graduate student, working as a teaching assistant for the introductory programming courses and human-computer interaction. She graduated from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in 2009 with a double major in Computer Science and Software Engineering, and a minor in Japanese. During her time at Rose, she participated in internships at Beckman Coulter, Metron, and Rose-Hulman Ventures. In her free time, she enjoys photography, visiting new places, helping out with her sorority and computer science outreach.
Kris Whittington, Software Test Engineer for Interactive Intelligence
Sarah Fisher  Software Test Engineer for Interactive Intelligence in Indianapolis, Indiana. Her current role at Interactive Intelligence involves testing IP telephony software and contact center communications solutions. Kris helps ensure that the software is ready for end users. She graduated from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Software Engineering in May 2008. She enjoys spending her free time reading, cooking, crafting and bicycling with her husband.
Lori Curless, Director of the Anderson Airport
Sarah Fisher  Lori Curless is the director of the Anderson Airport in Anderson, IN. She graduated from Indiana State University in May 2007 with a degree in aerospace administration and general flight technology. Lori was formerly an assistant to the airport director at Monroe County Airport in Bloomington, IN, where she assisted with the daily supervision and maintenance of the airport. She was an intern for the Indiana Department of Transportation Office of Aviation in 2006. In her free time she enjoys flying, hiking, playing softball, and motorcycling.
Reanda Kirchner, President of Re-Construction Services
Sarah Fisher  Reanda Kirchner is President of Re-Construction Services, Inc., a company she started in July 2007. Reanda graduated from the University of Southern Indiana in 2000 with a B.S. in communications. Since then she has worked in insurance, real estate, mortgages, and now construction. Her company is based in Brazil, IN, but performs work throughout the state of Indiana, specializing in exterior remodeling. Reanda is currently planning her wedding for 2009.
Jana Nees, Manager of Primary Manufacturing for Cook Pharmica
Sarah Fisher 
Jana Nees is the Manager of Primary Manufacturing for Cook Pharmica, a contract biopharmaceutical manufacturer, located in Bloomington, Indiana. She has over five years of experience in drug product contract manufacturing, including aseptic vial and syringe filling as well as 15 years serving in engineering and manufacturing supervision roles. Most recently she supported Pfizer Pharmaceuticals launch of a new drug product. In 2007, Nees joined Cook as Process Specialist supporting the design, testing and qualification of the Parenteral Manufacturing expansion equipment and processes, consisting of over 120,000 square feet of newly developed space including two high speed filling lines under isolation and complimentary secondary manufacturing capabilities. Nees is responsible for the Primary Parenteral Manufacturing operation upon completion of the Project. She holds a BS with cum laude honors in Mechanical Technology from Indiana State University and an MBA with summa cum laude highest honors from Indiana Wesleyan University. In her spare time she is also co-owner of The Freeze, an ice cream/sandwich restaurant, in Brazil, Indiana.
Tricia Rochyby, Packaging Engineer at Baxter Pharmaceutical Solutions
Sarah Fisher  Tricia Rochyby is a packaging engineer at Baxter Pharmaceutical Solutions in Bloomington, Indiana. As a packaging engineer, Tricia’s responsibilities include development of packaging for vials, syringes and cartridges, and assisting with IQ/QQ/PQ validations for new products and equipment for the 21 clients she is assigned. Tricia received an Associate’s degree in desktop publishing, graphic design, and communications from Parkland College. She graduated with a B.S. degree in industrial technology with a minor in packaging from Indiana State University in December 2002.
Evelyn Owens,Technical Coordinator of the Print Department at Sony DADC
Sarah Fisher  Evelyn Owens is the Technical Coordinator of the Print Department at Sony DADC in Terre Haute, IN. Sony DADC is a disc manufacturer of CD, DVD, UMD, and Blu-Ray Media. She started her career at Sony as a Production Maintenance Technician in the print department and then moved on to the position of a Quality Systems Technician. She recently took the role as Technical Coordinator. Evelyn received her Associate’s degree in Computer Integrated Manufacturing from Vincennes University and is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree here at ISU.
Jennifer Hale,University of Illinois at Chicago
Sarah Fisher  As a fellow McNair Scholar, Jennifer Hale is a 2009 graduate of Indiana State University (ISU) with a B.S. in Construction Management. She has pursued a graduate program in Urban Planning and Policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). While in high school, she was interested in architecture and design; taking classes such as drafting and printing technologies with a focus in math and science. As a high school senior, she interned with a local architectural firm and worked part-time during her college career with a local engineering firm. Jennifer also interned downtown Chicago, working as a CM on a high-rise construction project. Currently, Jennifer is half way to the completion of her MUPP (Master’s of Urban Planning and Policy) degree at UIC and is involved with the Urban Planning Student Association (UPSA) and the American Planning Association (APA). Through a grant with UIC and the Illinois Department of Transportation, Jennifer was hired on as a Research Assistant for the duration of her graduate studies.
Kristie Sturgeon, Plant Leader at Unison Engine Components
Sarah Fisher  Kristie Sturgeon is the plant leader at Unison Engine Components, Terre Haute, IN. She has worked as Six Sigma Black Belt and Lean Manufacturing Leader at GE Aviation. She was a manager at United Technologies and International Truck and Engine Corporation. Kristie earned a Bachelor’s degree from Purdue University in Organizational Leadership in 1997.
Kara Sue Harris, Professor in Technology and Engineering Education at Indiana State University
Sarah Fisher  Kara Sue Harris is an Assistant Professor of Technology Engineering Education at Indiana State University. She graduated from ISU with a double major in Printing and Industrial Supervision and a minor in Packaging. She also received a Master's degree from Indiana State in 2000 in Technology Education and a Doctorate from Clemson University in 2004. Kara was an assistant professor of Engineering/Technology Teacher Education at Purdue University for three years prior to coming to Indiana State. She has worked in education for 10 years.
Mary McCarter,Process Engineer at Sony DADC
Sarah Fisher  Mary McCarter is a Process Engineer and Packaging Material Controller for Sony DADC in Terre Haute, Indiana. Sony DADC is a disc replicator of CD, DVD, UMD and Blu-ray Media. She started her career at Sony as a CAD Technician in 1994 and moved over as a support technician to the packaging department in 1996. After receiving her degree from ISU in Mechanical Technology, she was promoted to a Process Engineer and in 2005 was recruited to the position of Packaging Material Controller.
Carolyn Pfrank, Management Trainee in Packaging at Welch Packaging
Sarah Fisher  Carolyn Pfrank is a Management Trainee at Welch Packaging. She graduated from Indiana State University in December 2005 with a degree in Packaging Technology. Welch Packaging is based in Elkhart, Indiana and its primary focus is corrugated packaging. In her 21 months with Welch, Carolyn has worked in Quality, Production, Purchasing, and Customer Service. In her spare time she trains her Border Terrier, Tycho, and teaches classes at a local dog training facility.
Nichole Ray, Manufacturing Engineer at Boston Scientific
Sarah Fisher  Nichole Ray is a Manufacturing Engineer II at Boston Scientific in Spencer, Indiana. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2006 with a degree in Biomedical Engineering. Boston Scientific is based in Natick, MA and its primary focus is minimally invasive medical devices. In her 1.5 years with Boston Scientific, Nichole has worked in the Oncology Division on value improvement projects. Her most recent project was around re-validation of the production process at the Spencer facility. In her spare time she drag races cars, plays softball, rides horses, and goes dancing.
Sheryl Roark, Industrial Mechanical Technology and in Electronics Technology
Sarah Fisher  Sheryl Roark graduated from Vincennes University in 1991 with an A.S. in Laser Electro-Optics Technology and from Indiana State University in 1995 with a B.S. in Industrial Mechanical Technology and in Electronics Technology. She is currently finishing her M.S. in Human Resource Development at ISU. Her 12 years of experience have been in the areas of Manufacturing Engineering and Industrial Supervision in the automotive industry, the electrical power industry, and the medical device industry. Her various job functions have included support for production departments, team training and facilitation, supervision of production employees, contractors, engineers, and co-op students, and project management.

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