The Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award was established by the College of Engineering at North Carolina State University in 1966 to honor engineering graduates who have been recognized for outstanding achievement. Nominations for this prestigious award come from members of the engineering faculty, and a vote by faculty representatives determines the recipients of the award.

Gil West MAE 1984

Awarded in 2018
This distinguished graduate earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1984 from North Carolina State University. Additionally, he received a Master of Business Administration from National University in San Diego. As senior executive vice president and chief operating officer for Delta Air Lines, he leads the team responsible for safe, reliable operations across the globe, including more than 70,000 employees in Airport Customer Service; Cargo; Corporate Safety, Security and Compliance; Delta Connection; DAL Global Services; Delta Material Services; Delta Private Jets; Fleet Strategy & Technical Procurement; Flight Operations; In-Flight Service; Operations Analysis & Performance; Operations & Customer Center; Supply Chain Management; and Technical Operations. Previously, he served as senior vice president–airport customer service and technical operations. Prior to Delta, he worked for Laidlaw Transit Services as president and chief executive officer and also held leadership roles at Northwest Airlines, United Airlines and The Boeing Company. He serves as a key alumni volunteer in the Atlanta area and is an annual contributor both to the Dean’s Circle and Fitts-Woolard Hall. West is also assisting the University in forming a “C-Suite Advisory Group” consisting of the College’s top alumni and is a 2016 inductee into the Department of Mechanical Engineering’s Hall of Fame. For his continuous support of the College and leadership, the College of Engineering recognizes Gil West as a Distinguished Engineering Alumnus.

Basil Hassan MAE 1993

Awarded in 2017
Dr. Basil Hassan earned his bachelor’s (1988), master’s (1990) and doctoral (1993) degrees in aerospace engineering from North Carolina State University. Upon completing his doctoral degree, he joined Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico and has held a variety of management and staff positions, overseeing all aspects of engineering sciences research, development, and applications work. Currently, he holds the title of senior manager of the Thermal, Fluid, and Aero Sciences Group. He helped support NASA to determine the cause of the Space Shuttle Columbia accident in 2003 and was part of the team to support the shutdown of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Well after the explosion and spill in 2010. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, including serving on its Board of Directors from 2008-17, where he held the roles of director and vice president. He has also served on review boards for the National Academies, NASA, and Air Force Office of Scientific Research. He currently serves on the NC State Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering’s Educational Advisory Board and has served on similar boards for New Mexico State University, Texas A&M University, University of Texas at Austin, and University of New Mexico. For his continued leadership and tireless work in support of the University’s mission, the College of Engineering recognizes Basil Hassan as a Distinguished Engineering Alumnus.

Jeffrey E. Williams MAE 1985

Awarded in 2015
Jeffrey E. Williams earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1985 from NC State. A Caldwell Fellow during his time on campus, he studied abroad at Oxford and trained at the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, NC. He later earned an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. Williams worked for IBM from 1985 to 1998 and joined Apple in 1998 as head of worldwide procurement. He held a variety of roles at Apple, including leading iPod Operations and iPhone Operations. Williams is currently senior vice president in charge of all operations for Apple worldwide, including supply chain, service and support. Williams has been a generous supporter of NC State, providing funding for the Caldwell Fellows program’s Center for Creative Leadership and hosting students from the Engineering Entrepreneurs Program and the university-wide Entrepreneurship Initiative for visits to Apple’s headquarters during their trips to California.

Robert R. Womack MAE 1959

Awarded in 2011
This distinguished graduate earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with an aeronautical option from North Carolina State University in 1959. Following graduation, he served as program manager of advanced missiles systems at McDonnell Douglas, which later merged with Boeing. Womack then served as partner at McKinsey & Company, a global management-consulting firm. While in this position, he advised clients in areas of strategy, organization and capital investments and led a team that defined the organization and management plan for the NASA Space Transportation System, otherwise known as the space shuttle program. Womack later went on to serve as chairman, chief executive officer or president of four New York Stock Exchange companies, including Zurn Industries. He has also served on the Boards of Directors for 11 companies. Womack and his wife, Judith, have been generous supporters of the university’s Chancellor’s Circle as well as the College’s Dean’s Circle. They recently established the Robert R. and Judith H. Womack Scholarship in the College, and Womack delivered the commencement address during the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering’s graduation this past spring.

F. Neal Hunter MAE 1984

Awarded in 2007
Neal Hunter earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from North Carolina State University in 1984. He is a co-founder and former President, CEO, and Chairman of Cree, Inc. Hunter held numerous roles at Cree from 1987-2005. During this time, the company’s revenues grew to $400 million.In 2005, Hunter co-founded LED Lighting Fixtures, Inc. (LLF, Inc.) to accelerate the use of LEDs in general illumination applications. LLF has since set world records for LED fixture efficiency and CRI at warm white color temperatures. Funded by employees, suppliers and distributors, LLF’s goal is to bring economical high-volume LED lighting solutions to world markets. Hunter also develops residential neighborhoods using custom builders, giving him a unique perspective for applications of LED technology in homes.

He resides in the RTP area of North Carolina and is an active supporter of UNC Hospitals, North Carolina State University, and the Food Bank of North Carolina. He is a Peele Lifetime Giving Society member and has established an endowment for unrestricted general support for the College of Engineering.

Herbert A. Fishel

Awarded in 2005
This distinguished alumnus earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1963. A native of Winston-Salem, NC, he is CEO of the Business of Motorsports and is recognized as one of the dozen most influential people in racing.He began his career at General Motors and in 1969 joined the Chevrolet Product Performance Group.

In 1991 he was named Executive Director of GM Racing. His leadership in 1996 helped form the new open wheel series in racing known as the Indy Racing league.

Under his guidance, in 2001 GM became the first automaker in more than three decades to win racing’s Triple Crown in the same year: the Daytona 500, the Indy 500, and the GTS class win in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He retired from GM in 2003.

In 2001 he participated in the Italian Mille Miglia driving a 1953 Ferrari 250 MM. He was awarded the Spirit of Le Mans award from the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and drove the pace vehicle in the Indy 500 in 2003. He was inducted into the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Hall of Fame in 2005.

Gerald Davis Mann MAE 1952

Awarded in 2003
This distinguished graduate earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from North Carolina State University in 1952 and his master’s degree in civil engineering from Purdue University in 1956.A native of Newport, Carteret County, he began his career in 1956 as chief geotechnical engineer for Mobile Drilling and Engineering Company, Indianapolis, Indiana.

In 1958 he purchased the engineering and drilling services division of the company, which became the basis for American Testing and Engineering Corporation (ATEC Associates, Inc.). He served as founder, owner, president, and chairman of the company from 1958 to 1996. Under his leadership, ATEC expanded internationally to include 52 locations and more than $120 million annually in fees by 1990.

In 1972 he founded Mann Realty and Development Company, now known as Mann Properties, LLP. A dedicated sponsor of NC State, he is a member of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering advisory board and is chair or co-chair of several board committees.

Jerry S. Lee MAE 1963

Awarded in 2002
This outstanding graduate earned two degrees from NC State, a bachelor’s degree in 1963 and a doctorate in 1967, both in mechanical engineering. A native of Pamlico County, he began his career as an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at NC State.He joined Goodrich Corporation as manager of engineering science in the Engineered Products Group in 1979. He assumed his current position as senior vice president of technology and innovation in 1998. Goodrich has sales of $5.5 billion and is a worldwide developer and supplier of aerospace systems that span the range from aircraft landing systems to optics for space telescopes.

He is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Aerospace Institute; president of the nonprofit research organization Glennan Microsystems Initiative, Inc.; and chair of the Industrial Advisory Board for the Technology and Innovation Campus at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte.

He serves on the advisory boards of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at both the Ohio State University and NC State.