July 15, 2025
By Ashley Ritchie

Two alumni from the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering have been selected to co-chair the Woodruff Young Alumni Council (YAC), a growing initiative aimed at strengthening alumni engagement and supporting the school’s strategic priorities.

John Gattuso, who earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 2015, and Siddharth “Sid” Gore, who earned a bachelor’s degree in 2017 and a master’s in 2020, will lead the council, which plays a key role in connecting recent graduates and current students in mechanical and nuclear engineering with professional development opportunities, mentorship, and meaningful ways to stay involved.

The YAC currently includes 23 undergraduate and graduate alumni who serve as ambassadors, mentors, volunteers, and advocates for the Woodruff School. Together, they work to amplify innovation, foster community, and enhance the student and young alumni experience.

Meet the Co-Chairs

John Gattuso grew up in Richmond, Virginia, with a love for cars and a clear vision of becoming an engineer. That passion led him to Georgia Tech, where he dove into hands-on experiences at the Student Competition Center.

During his time at the Institute, Gattuso also teamed up with Julian Knight, who earned a degree in electrical engineering in 2015, and Frederick Grimm, who earned a degree in industrial engineering in 2014, to build FIXD, a sensor and smartphone app that gives drivers easy-to-digest information about vehicle issues and estimated repair costs. Gattuso, who now serves as chief executive officer, was part of the first cohort of the CREATE-X Startup Launch alongside Knight, FIXD’s chief technology officer. Grimm later joined as chief operating officer.

Inspired by the impact Georgia Tech, the Woodruff School, and CREATE-X had on his life and career, Gattuso was eager to give back.

“As a YAC co-chair, I want to help the new incoming school chair establish and implement their vision for the future of mechanical engineering education,” he said.

Gattuso's favorite Tech memory? “Late nights building Wreck Racing cars. It was fun to work really hard on something I cared about.”

Sid Gore focused his studies on robotics and automation and still draws on those experiences daily in his role as a project manager at Lockheed Martin. There, he leads multidisciplinary teams across software, hardware, cybersecurity, and testing to deliver cutting-edge systems.

Passionate about mentoring, Gore has remained actively involved through the Georgia Tech Alumni Association, the D.C. Alumni Club, and Mentor Jackets.

He was interested in getting involved in the YAC because the Woodruff School shaped so much of how he thinks and leads.

“The classes and projects at Georgia Tech were challenging, but they prepared me to deliver real-world value,” Gore said. “I wanted to stay connected with the Woodruff School and help other young alumni do the same.”

As co-chair, Gore is especially excited about helping the school prepare students for a future shaped by artificial intelligence (AI).

“On the technical side, I want to support students as they enter an engineering world being transformed by AI,” he said. “At the same time, I hope to make it easier for alumni to engage—whether through mentoring, volunteering, or sharing their journeys.”

His most rewarding YAC moment so far? Collaborating with council members to draft the group’s founding operating documents.

“Everyone brought unique experience and insight to the table. It was meaningful work that set YAC up to make an impact for years to come.”

Now Accepting Applications

The Woodruff YAC is currently accepting applications for new members. Alumni are eligible if they earned a degree in mechanical or nuclear engineering from Georgia Tech within the past 15 years.

Members serve three-year terms, attend six virtual meetings and one in-person meeting each year, and contribute through volunteer roles like mentoring, speaking, or judging school events. While members may live anywhere, in-person participation is encouraged and all meetings offer a virtual option.

Apply today