Outstanding alumni recognized for early-career success in engineering

Kansas State University's Carl R. Ice College of Engineering will recognize 10 alumni for outstanding early-to-mid-career achievements, honoring them with the Professional Progress Award during the college's annual Seaton Society Award Celebration on Friday, March 6.

Recipients of the award are selected based on professional accomplishments, service to society and/or the engineering profession, support of the college, and the promise of continued success. Each awardee was nominated by their respective department heads and confirmed by Bradley A. Kramer, interim dean of engineering.

2026 Professional Progress Award winners

Kim Bartak

Kim Bartak, '06, Leawood, holds a bachelor's degree in computer engineering and electrical engineering from K-State and an MBA from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Bartak serves as a corporate change manager for Burns & McDonnell, leading enterprise-wide initiatives to enhance organizational effectiveness, strengthen collaboration and support long-term growth through integrated, future-ready business systems. Previously, she served as a people manager and project manager for 1898 & Co., where she led consulting teams for utility and technology clients across the U.S., and at Honeywell FM&T, where she gained foundational experience in engineering, manufacturing, quality and leadership. Bartak is passionate about mentoring others and helping teams navigate and embrace change. An active volunteer, she supports organizations such as the United Way, MathCounts, the Society of Women Engineers and Alpha Chi Omega sorority, where she has held multiple leadership roles. She recently earned a Women in Leadership Certificate from the University of California, Riverside, and she is a lifelong fan of K-State sports.

Jason Humphrey

Jason Humphrey, '08, Topeka, holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering with the nuclear option from K-State and an MBA from Baker University. Humphrey began his career as a power plant engineer at Evergy's Lawrence Energy Center before moving into leadership roles. While with Evergy and its predecessor companies, he has lived in Kansas City, Emporia, Wichita, and Topeka, holding several positions — including plant manager and regional director of power plants, as well as corporate roles such as assistant treasurer. In 2023, Humphrey became the vice president of development, focused on building renewable and conventional power plants to support Evergy's 1.7 million customers in the eastern third of Kansas and the western third of Missouri. He is on the board of the Boys and Girls Club of Topeka and previously served on the board of the Downtown Topeka Foundation. He and his wife, Amanda, have two daughters — Quinn and Piper.

Chris Kearney

Chris Kearney, '05, Orlando, Florida, holds a bachelor's degree in architectural engineering. After graduation, Kearney moved to Florida and began working at the global engineering, design and consulting firm GRG, now EXP. He now leads the firm's hospitality efforts, holding more than 20 years of experience assisting world-renowned hospitality and casino-industry clients. Along with complex building design, Kearney has a passion for sustainability. A recognized thought leader who provides sustainable design and construction solutions to increase efficiency, Kearney returns to K-State each year to recruit for the architectural engineering department and previously served on the department's advisory council. Kearney and his wife, Christy, have three kids — Ian, Aiden and Isabella.

Mark Neier

Mark Neier, '09, Olathe, earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in industrial engineering from K-State. Neier serves as the global operate technology asset senior manager for Deloitte, where he's responsible for starting and managing new technology assets and solutions for businesses in more than 150 countries and territories. Additionally, Neier helped start Deloitte's digital supply networks business, guiding numerous industrial products and aerospace and defense companies through their supply chain transformation journeys. Previously, he served as the associate vice president of assets and products for Deloitte's U.S. supply chain and network operations. Neier is passionate about giving back and staying connected to K-State, having served two terms on the industrial engineering advisory council and recruiting more than 40 engineers to Deloitte from K-State as the company's recruiting lead. Neier and his wife, Kinley, have two children — Olivia and Andrew.

Renee Roesser

Renee Roesser, '06, '09, San Antonio, Texas, earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering from K-State. Beginning her career at the National Security Agency as an intern in 2005, Roesser joined the agency full time in 2006. Holding a series of progressively responsible roles in design, construction, operations and maintenance, her assignments have spanned multiple locations — including Fort Meade, Maryland; Honolulu, Hawaii; and San Antonio, Texas. In 2022, Roesser transitioned from federal service to the private sector, assuming the role of datacenter operations manager at Microsoft. In this capacity, she leads critical environment and IT operations for two data centers, ensuring operational excellence, reliability and compliance. In recognition of her impact, she was selected to participate in Microsoft's Advanced Leadership Program in 2024. Roesser remains actively engaged with her alma mater, serving as the K-State alumni coordinator for the San Antonio chapter. She and her husband, Saunders, have two sons — Corbin and Bodie.

Travis Rogers

Travis Rogers, '06, Doha, Qatar, holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering and serves as production manager for Ras Laffan Petrochemicals at Chevron Phillips Chemical Company. Rogers is currently leading operations for a $6 billion world-scale site, scheduled to begin in early 2027, that will include the Middle East's largest ethane cracker and two of the world's largest polyethylene reactors. Since beginning his career with Chevron Phillips Chemical in 2006, Rogers has held progressive leadership roles across the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Qatar. His experience spans process engineering, operations management and process safety, including oversight of the company's risk management programs. Rogers has played a pivotal role in the successful commercialization of advanced polymer technologies and the safe ramp-up of complex manufacturing assets. A dedicated mentor and advocate for operational excellence, Rogers is recognized for building high-performing teams and promoting a culture of safety and innovation. He and his wife, Jeanette, have three children — Lucy, Elizabeth and Maxwell.

Hale Sloan

Hale Sloan, '10, Hays, holds both his bachelor's and master's degrees in biological and agricultural engineering from K-State. After beginning his career in the Austin, Texas, metro area, Sloan moved to Hays in 2017, where he founded Sloan Engineering and Consulting. As a licensed professional engineer in Kansas and Texas, Sloan and his firm provide civil engineering design and consulting services across the state and are currently expanding their offerings to include construction materials testing. Alongside his professional work, he is an active community volunteer and leader, with involvement in the Hays Noon Rotary Club — where he previously served as president and received the Outstanding Club Service Award — as well as the Ellis County Rural Water District No. 1C board, Western Cooperative Electric and his local Methodist church. Sloan also co-founded and currently serves as president of a nonprofit foundation supporting the Kansas State University Rugby Club. Sloan and his wife, Jenna, have three children. When not at his firm or volunteering, he enjoys farming and ranching with his family.

Ryan Summerskill

Ryan Summerskill, '08, Shawnee, holds a bachelor's degree in computer science. After working at Surface Systems and Instruments in Manhattan during college and as a software engineer at Garmin, Summerskill joined Veritas Prime — a premier technology and professional services company focused on payroll and human capital management services — in its startup phase, fulfilling his goal of building a software development organization from scratch. Now, he serves as senior global director of products, leading a global business unit comprising engineers, designers and product management from the U.S., India, Peru and Argentina. Summerskill has remained connected to K-State, serving on the computer science department's advisory board since 2015 and volunteering as a senior officer with the Civil Air Patrol. He and his wife, Abby, have two children — Amelia and Zander.

Nichole Waring

Nichole Waring, '05, Overland Park, earned a bachelor's degree in construction science and management from K-State. She is a senior project manager and employee-owner at McCownGordon Construction, where she oversees a diverse portfolio of new-build and renovation projects, including libraries, museums, aquatic centers, nonprofit facilities, corporate offices and data centers. Known for leading high-performing teams and managing complex projects with precision, Waring has delivered award-winning work recognized by the American Institute of Architects, Kansas City Business Journal and the Builders' Association of Greater Kansas City. Twice nominated for Project Manager of the Year by the American Subcontractors Association of Kansas City, she has played a key role in securing some of the firm's most impactful projects. A graduate of Leadership Overland Park, Waring remains active in the community, volunteering with organizations such as Operation Breakthrough, Harvesters, Ronald McDonald House and Resurrection, a United Methodist Church. She and her husband have three children.

Allyson Wetter

Allyson Wetter, '09, Silver Lake, earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from K-State and currently serves as senior director of safety and performance management for Evergy. A licensed professional engineer in Kansas, Wetter leads teams responsible for safety and training; vehicle and equipment fleet operations; and the construction, operation and maintenance of facilities. Wetter began her career at Evergy 18 years ago as an environmental intern and substation civil engineer and has since held numerous leadership roles supporting electric grid planning, construction and storm restoration efforts. Passionate about community vitality and well-being through reliable electricity, she also volunteers at events encouraging children to explore STEM careers and serves on the board of directors of the Greater Kansas Chapter of the American Red Cross. Wetter and her husband, Daryl, have two children — Perry and Ryland.

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