Your Voice Matters – Meet the 2026 SME Member Council Candidates

Gicell Aleman
Manufacturing Engineer 
Valmet Flow Control 

Aleman is a Manufacturing Engineer at Valmet Flow Control, specializing in optimizing electric and pneumatic actuator production through continuous improvement and streamlined processes. Outside of her professional work, Gicell has served as Chair of the SME C025 Chapter since 2024, with a mission to revitalize the chapter by restructuring its foundation and expanding outreach to students and professionals. She has also contributed to several committees, including the Member Council, Student Relations Committee, EP Task Group, and Student Funding and Awards Group. Gicell recently earned her master’s degree in engineering management from the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, where she honed her project management skills. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from Indiana Tech (2021), where she was actively involved in the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), served as Chair of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and led the student chapter of SME. Passionate about leadership and growth, Gicell is committed to making meaningful contributions to both the engineering community and the organizations she is a part of. She also dedicates her time to volunteering in low-income neighborhoods, where she supports and mentors’ women, especially in STEM education, helping them build confidence and pursue opportunities in science and engineering. SME Member Since 2020. 

Zachary Bibik, LSME, CAMF, CAMT, EIT 
Lead Engineer 
Vestas 

Bibik is a lead engineer focused on advanced automation and additive manufacturing solutions for wind turbine manufacturing at Vestas. Previously, he worked in the aerospace industry, focusing on lightweight additive manufacturing designs at United Launch Alliance, LLC. Bibik’s industry experience is centered around AM development and automation integration. His primary goal continues to be: Utilize manufacturing to enhance basic human life. Bibik envisions a future with diverse energy resources, equitable human rights and abundant economic opportunities driven by technological advancements in manufacturing. In 2015, he was the SME Education Foundation Family Scholarship winner, and for the last nine years, Bibik has participated on the SME Member Council, Joint Nominating Committee, Chapter Enhancement Committee, Emerging Professionals Task Group and served as chair of SME Northern Colorado Chapter 354. Bibik is an advocate for continuous improvement and evolution of membership benefits to foster SME's growth and retention. SME Member Since 2015. Currently on the 2025 SME Member Council.  

Dan Braley, FSME, CAMT 
Chief Technology Officer 
Precision Additive Solutions and Magnesium Innovation Group 

Dan Braley is the Chief Technology Officer for both Precision Additive Solutions and Magnesium Innovation Group, a Fellow of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), and an Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) Distinguished Innovator Operator (DINO). He has more than 20 years of aerospace program and R&D experience in additive manufacturing, technical program management, materials and process engineering, composites, electromagnetic product development and manufacturing technology development. Prior to his current role, he has served as the Boeing Global Services additive manufacturing technical focal leading advanced manufacturing sustainment of all Boeing military, commercial and derivative aircraft platforms. He has also held positions with Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, L-3 Communications ESSCO and the Air Force Research Laboratory at Eglin AFB. He is a past recipient of the SME Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award, the Boeing Meritorious & High Honors Invention Awards, the Northrop Grumman Innovation Award, the F-35 Lightning Rod Award and currently holds 85 U.S. and international patents. Dan received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from Florida State University as well as a master’s degree in engineering management from Drexel University. He was elected an SME Fellow in 2022, is an SME Certified Additive Manufacturing Technician (CAMT), is currently serving as the SME Member Council Chair, and is a technical advisor for SME's RAPID + TCT and AeroDef events. SME Member Since 2015. Currently on the 2025 SME Member Council. 

Josh Diaz 
Business Development Manager 
Wauseon/McAlister 

Josh Diaz graduated from the University of Washington with an Engineering degree in Aeronautics & Astronautics. He went on to serve honorably in the 446th Aircraft Maintenance Group, US Air Force Reserve, at McChord AFB, Washington. After finishing his full-time commitment to the Air Force Reserve, he moved into a Traditional Reserve status and pursued an entrepreneurial endeavor. This was as a partner in the construction services company, Diaz Maintenance & Construction, helping to build it into one of the premier brands in its sector in the Puget Sound. Next, he worked for a distributor in the Building Materials industry and saw firsthand the opportunity to improve consumer experience by optimizing manufacturers’ capabilities. This motivated him to pursue a career in the robotics & automation industry. He’s worked in a Business Development capacity for a number of world-class design-build firms of custom, turnkey automation solutions. His primary objective is to help strengthen the American industrial base, by providing manufacturers the tools they need to survive in the 21st century. In addition to his day-job, he pursues this objective through giving time & energy to extracurriculars like SCMEP’s OpExChange and SME at the Local & National level. SME Member Since 2023. 

Sampson E. Gholston, PhD
Department Chair 
University of Texas at Arlington 

Dr. Sampson Gholston is Chair and Professor at The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) in the Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering Department. He also holds the title of Professor Emeritus at The University of Alabama in Huntsville, reflecting his lasting impact on industrial and manufacturing engineering education and research. Dr. Gholston's expertise spans applied statistics, quality engineering and management, and organizational performance. His work has significantly contributed to advancing industry standards and optimizing process efficiency. Early in his career, he gained valuable experience as a Supplier Quality Engineer at General Motors' Saturn Corporation, where he developed a strong foundation in manufacturing and quality assurance. His influence extends beyond academia, as he has provided consulting and contractual expertise to major organizations, including Delphi Automotive, General Motors, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, and several others. He holds a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt and has trained and certified hundreds of technicians, managers, and engineers in Lean Six Sigma. Dr. Gholston is also an expert in assessing and improving overall organizational performance. He is currently a Senior Examiner for the Malcolm Baldrige Performance Excellence Award and a Master Examiner for the Sterling/Oglethorpe Performance Excellence Award. SME Member Since 2022. 

Kayla Jordan 
Platform Cybersecurity Engineer 
General Dynamics Land Systems 

Kayla Jordan works at General Dynamics Land Systems as a Platform Cybersecurity Engineer, securing the Army's Main Battle Tank Systems (MBTS). Prior to General Dynamics, she worked in the Information Security and Systems Engineering group at L3Harris, a global aerospace and defense technology company, leading risk management framework, information assurance and bid/proposal efforts. Additionally, she has more than three years’ experience in automotive manufacturing and audio industries. Kayla was featured in SME’s 30 Under 30 publication in 2022 and is an SME Membership Series webinar speaker. She holds a bachelor’s in electrical engineering and an MBA concentrated in International Business from Wayne State University and a master’s degree in information and Cybersecurity from the University of California, Berkeley. SME Member Since 2022. Currently on the 2025 SME Member Council. 

Susan Kolinski
Director of Sales 
Sherex 

Since joining SME in 2022, Susan has become an increasingly active member. She has served on the Membership Council for two years, chairs the 2025 DEIA task force and serves as membership chair in her local chapter 069. Susan attends and coordinates various events with the local chapter. She mentors through the SME Mentorship Program, volunteers for student initiatives with the Brightminds program, and supports the local FIRST Robotics team. These activities and more inspire her to continually look for connections in the manufacturing sector aiming to raise awareness about SME. With over 30 years of technical sales experience in the global Automotive and Commercial Vehicle industries, Susan works within the industry, focusing on making connections with people and products. Her career has been a commitment to learning, discovering the value of a person, product, or technology, and collaborating with others to put that to practical use. Susan began her career as an applications engineer, moved into technical sales and now focuses on new business development in her current role. She holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Material Science & Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University. SME Member Since 2022. Currently on the 2025 SME Member Council. 

Brock T. Strunk
Chief Engineer 
Epic Aircraft 

Brock T. Strunk is currently chief engineer at Epic Aircraft, working on the FAA certified E1000AX all composite aircraft. He joined SME in 1999 as a student at Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT). He currently serves on the board of directors for Oregon SME Chapter 423. Additionally, he has held multiple leadership roles as a SME member on both the international and chapter level including, co-chair of the Technical Community Network, chair and vice-chair of the Member Council, vice-chair of the Plastics, Composites & Coatings Community; an advisor for the Composites Manufacturing Tech Group, vice-chair and treasurer of the Denver Senior Chapter, and vice-chair of the OIT Student Chapter. In 2008, Strunk was awarded SME's Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award. He has presented at multiple SME conferences on composite repair and manufacturing. Strunk has worked on numerous aircraft certification programs during his tenure in the aerospace community. Previously, he worked as a senior engineer at Erickson Helicopters, a level three engineer at Spirit AeroSystems, an engineering manager at Adam Aircraft and a senior engineer at Lancair Aircraft. Strunk earned a bachelor’s in manufacturing engineering and a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from OIT. SME Member Since 1999. Currently on the 2025 SME Member Council. 

The selection process for SME International Director and Member Council Representative involves review by the SME Joint Nominating Committee annually in the spring. Selected candidates proceed to election, with ballots sent to voting members by August 1st and results announced by mid-September. Elected officials serve two-year terms starting from January 1st following the election.