Herff College of Engineering
Get to know the Herff Hall of Fame
Lifelong Excellence in Engineering
Roberto Young
Roberto Young possesses more than 20 years of exemplary leadership in sales, business development,
and entrepreneurial growth across global enterprises and venture-backed companies.
His career spans transformative roles with The Boeing Company, Morgan Stanley, NCR,
and the successful founding of One Touch Real Estate Management, with over $250 million
in revenue delivered through innovative technology and financial solutions. A nationally
ranked #1 sales leader, Young closed multiple landmark nine-figure and multi–eight-figure
deals while driving operational excellence and long-term value creation. Beyond corporate
leadership, he is a dedicated entrepreneur, board member, and community-focused strategist,
investing in economic development and sustainable housing initiatives that strengthen
both markets and neighborhoods.
Jerry Collins Jr.
Jerry Collins Jr. is a distinguished engineering leader and public servant who served as
President and Chief Executive Officer of Memphis Light, Gas and Water, the nation’s
largest three-service municipal utility. Appointed CEO in 2007, he became the tenth
leader of MLGW and guided the utility through a period of sustained operational excellence,
earning national recognition for reliability, safety, and affordability. Under his
leadership, MLGW maintained strong financial ratings and ranked among the lowest combined
utility rates in the country. A native Memphian and registered professional engineer,
Collins is a proud alumnus of the University of Memphis Herff College of Engineering
and a recipient of its most prestigious honors for distinguished service and lifelong
contributions to the engineering profession.
Dennis Koerner
Dennis Koerner is President and CEO of ITN Analytics and Managing Partner at Terra-Vaults
Inc. Terra-Vaults designs and manufactures advanced polymer concrete and composite
enclosures used in telecommunication and power infrastructures. Terra-Vaults products
provides durable, cost-effective solutions that support critical power and fiber optic
cable networks across the country. Through ITN Analytics, Dr. Koerner developed BenchmarkPro,
a collection of software platforms that enable organizations to improve business performance
using data-driven benchmarks that align organizational decisions with productivity,
retention, and profitability improvement. Dr. Koerner has a 25-year history of working
with the HCOE, contributing his time, expertise, and leadership to support the development
of future engineers and strengthen the partnership between academia and industry.
Ravindranath Kanuri
Ravindranath Kanuri is a respected defense and aerospace professional with extensive
experience managing advanced technology programs. He served as Senior Director of
DARPA Programs at Lockheed Martin Corporation, where he oversaw complex, high‑performance
initiatives supporting national defense and space systems. He is widely identified
in professional circles as a defense and space leader, including through his long-standing
affiliation with Lockheed Martin.
Arif Shakeel - (1955-2025)
Arif Shakeel was a pivotal leader at Western Digital, serving as Chief Executive Officer
from 2005 to 2007 after holding senior roles, including President and Chief Operating
Officer. He joined the company in 1985 as a product marketing manager and spent more
than two decades guiding its growth through significant industry transformations.
Shakeel earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University
of Memphis and an MBA from Pepperdine University. He is remembered for his strategic
leadership and lasting impact.
Distinguished Achievement Awards
Laura Whitsitt
Laura Whitsitt, President and Founder of LS Whitsitt Consulting, is a respected senior executive
and consultant with more than 35 years of leadership experience in the global medical
device industry. As a longtime R&D leader at Smith+Nephew, she guided innovation,
talent development, and strategic initiatives across complex global organizations
before founding LSWhitsitt Consulting to share her expertise in executive leadership
and governance. A NACD.DC–certified director, Whitsitt has demonstrated a deep commitment
to civic and nonprofit service, serving on numerous boards focused on economic development,
education, and community impact. Through her continued work as an executive coach,
corporate board member, community board leader, and mentor, she exemplifies visionary
leadership and a lasting dedication to advancing both industry excellence and the
Memphis community.
Scott Rhodes
Scott Rhodes is a respected senior leader at Acuity Brands, where he has built a distinguished
career driving innovation, operational excellence, and strategic growth within a global
industry leader in lighting and building solutions. A graduate of the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, he brings a strong technical foundation and systems-oriented
perspective to executive leadership. Throughout his career, Rhodes has been recognized
for his ability to lead complex organizations, align technology with business strategy,
and deliver long-term value. His professional achievements reflect a continued commitment
to excellence, innovation, and leadership at the highest levels of industry.
Andrew Assadollahi
Andrew Assadollahi serves as Dean and Professor of the Gadomski School of Engineering
at Christian Brothers University, where he is a respected leader in engineering education
and academic administration. A registered professional engineer in the State of Tennessee,
he previously served for nearly six years as Chair of the Department of Civil and
Environmental Engineering. Dr. Assadollahi is widely recognized for his contributions
to undergraduate curriculum development, student advising, and initiatives that strengthen
recruitment, retention, and student success. His scholarly and technical expertise
spans geotechnical and structural engineering, project-based research, and engineering
education pedagogy, reflecting a deep commitment to excellence in both teaching and
professional practice.
Kory Robinson
Korby Robinson is an accomplished engineering professional and engineering manager at Memphis
Light, Gas and Water. A licensed professional engineer, he provides leadership in
the management and delivery of critical utility infrastructure that serves the Memphis
community. His career reflects a strong commitment to technical excellence, public
service, and ethical engineering practice. A proud alumnus, Mr. Robinson’s professional
achievements and leadership exemplify the impact engineers can make through service-oriented
careers.
JT Malasri
JT Malasri is the founder and principal engineer of Malasri Engineering, PLLC, a trusted
firm specializing in project management, land development, and utility consulting
services. Based in Memphis and serving the Mid-South region, he plays an active role
in advancing infrastructure, housing, and long-term community growth through both
his professional work and civic engagement. A licensed Professional Engineer and entrepreneur
with over a decade of experience, he has grown his firm from a startup into a respected
and growing operation by combining technical expertise with strategic leadership.
Mr. Malasri is known for his builder’s mindset, focusing on creating scalable systems
that unlock opportunity for clients, teams, and communities. His commitment to thoughtful
collaboration, disciplined execution, and developing future leaders exemplifies the
values of the engineering profession and brings distinction to the alumni community.
Emerging Leader Award
Jennifer "Jenny" Jarvis Pallme
Jennifer Jarvis Pallme is a rising leader in the engineering profession and currently
serves as manager of biocompatibility at Stryker. She is recognized for her early-career
excellence, technical expertise, and growing leadership within the medical device
industry. Dr. Pallme’s work supports the development of safe, innovative healthcare
technologies that improve patient outcomes worldwide. Her achievements reflect both
professional promise and a strong commitment to advancing engineering through impact-driven
leadership.