Woodruff School Graduates, Faculty Honored with 2026 CoE Alumni Awards
The awards celebrated Georgia Tech engineers for distinguished service, giving back, and making an impact on campus and their communities.
April 15, 2026
By Ashley Ritchie
Seven graduates from the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and two emeritus faculty were among those honored at the College of Engineering’s 2026 Alumni Awards Induction Ceremony held on March 21. The College annually celebrates alumni who have contributed to the profession, advanced in their careers, and enhanced the lives of others both personally and professionally.
Honorees are nominated by committees within each of the College’s eight schools and formally submitted for selection.
Omar Fergani and Nicholas Selby joined the College’s Council of Outstanding Young Engineering Alumni based on their early achievements. Angela Sherman and John B. Williams entered the College’s Academy of Distinguished Engineering Alumni for their significant and distinguished contributions as senior leaders in their fields.
The awards ceremony culminated in the induction of 10 new members of the College of Engineering Hall of Fame, including Tom Noonan, a founding partner of TechOperators LLC and chairman of TEN Holdings.
As part of the ceremony, several members of the Woodruff School community were also recognized with Dean's Awards.
The Dean’s Impact Award went to mechanical engineering alumni Curt Lary and Nicholas Mulka.
They’ve built a company called Hex that deploys fully automated stations to swap drone batteries without human intervention. Their system allows for longer operations, expanding access to aerial security monitoring and data collection for their customers. They also design software solutions for what they call a drone-in-a-box system.
“I can’t stress enough how much this award isn’t because of me, but because of people like Nick, and alumni and teachers at Georgia Tech who made me into who I am today,” Lary said. “An incredible amount of energy goes into each student at Tech, and I’m just one of them.”
The Dean’s Appreciation Award went to three people: Ann Dibble, William Wepfer, and, posthumously, Ward Winer, whose son accepted on behalf of the Winer family. The trio spent years building relationships with alumnus John Durstine that resulted in a $100 million estate gift to the Woodruff School last fall.
Dibble worked for two decades as director of gift planning at Georgia Tech. Wepfer and Winer are former chairs of the Woodruff School. All regularly visited Durstine, sharing their vision for mechanical engineering at Tech and learning about his career at Ford Motor Company.
“John Durstine was particularly special,” Wepfer said. “John was committed to Georgia Tech’s spirit of progress and service. So, as I think about this gift and his legacy, I think John might be smiling. And I view it as one big exclamation point behind our motto of Progress and Service.”
This year’s emcee was Engineering Hall of Fame member and Woodruff School alumnus Jim Borders. He is president, CEO, and founder of Novare Group, an Atlanta-based real estate investment and development company that has overseen the creation of more than 20,000 residential units across 66 communities.
Council of Outstanding Young Engineering Alumni Award
The Council of Outstanding Young Engineering Alumni Award recognizes alumni who have distinguished themselves through professional practice and service to the Institute, the engineering profession, or society at large. They are on the fast track and have made rapid advancement within their organizations. Already, they have been recognized for early achievements by others within their profession, field, or organization.
Omar Fergani
M.S. ME 2014
Founder and CEO, NeoForge
After graduate school at Georgia Tech and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology — earning respectively a master’s and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering — Fergani moved into industry to turn advanced ideas into real products. At Schlumberger, Siemens, and MKS Instruments, he worked across research, product, and operations to bring new manufacturing software and methods into production.
Fergani’s entrepreneurial streak led him to co-found NAVASTO, an AI/simulation company later acquired by Autodesk. He now leads NeoForge, described as the world’s first AI-defined manufacturing contract manufacturer, focused on supporting European space and defense with critical components.
His work has been recognized by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers — 30 Under 30 and Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer — honors that reflect both technical rigor and practical impact.
Fergani is a committed mentor in the Georgia Tech Entrepreneur Network, working closely with recent graduates who have deep-tech ambitions.
Nicholas Selby
ME 2016
Vice President of Engineering, Renewvia
At Renewvia, Selby is responsible for the design, procurement, construction, productive use, and software infrastructure of solar mini-grids in rural Kenya and Nigeria. After Georgia Tech, he earned an M.S. in mechanical engineering and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering and computer science at MIT.
In addition to Renewvia, Selby’s career has included working as a research engineer for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories.
Academy of Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award
The Academy of Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award recognizes alumni who have provided distinguished contributions to the Institute, profession, field, or society at large. Candidates are highly placed executives and are actively involved in engineering, management, industry, academia, or government.
Angela Sherman
ME 1986
President, S&S HVAC Equipment
Sherman’s dream was to become a sales engineer and the owner of a manufacturer’s representative within the commercial HVAC industry.
Those dreams were solidified during sales engineering roles at Carrier Corporation, Honeywell, and Marley Cooling Towers, leading her to co-found S&S HVAC Equipment.
After receiving multiple awards and recognition from manufacturers, adding great people to the team, and representing manufacturers in the commercial HVAC industry, Sherman achieved her goal. S&S HVAC is now a trusted commercial and industrial HVAC manufacturer’s representative in the greater Houston market for hydronic equipment, parts, and service. The company is a manufacturer’s representative for SPX Marley Cooling Towers and a trusted partner for more than 1,000 commercial and industrial clients.
Two things continue to drive her: making S&S HVAC Equipment better and helping others with similar dreams. Her Georgia Tech degree has given her the confidence to pursue those goals professionally and personally. Sherman formed the Marley Women Cooling Club to mentor others in the industry. And, as a founding member and current chair of the Women of Woodruff, she continues to support women.
John B. Williams
NRE 2002
Senior Vice President, Technical Services and External Affairs, Southern Nuclear Operating Company
Williams is a visionary leader working to create the future of nuclear energy. Driven by the belief that goals should inspire, he championed Accident Tolerant Fuels — reshaping industry standards and boosting the resilience of nuclear technology. His leadership was instrumental in powering America’s first newly built reactors in over three decades, making Plant Vogtle the nation’s largest clean energy generator. These historic milestones earned the industry’s most prestigious recognition, including the Platts Global Energy Award for Energy Transition, Power Plant of the Year, and five Nuclear Energy Institute Top Innovative Practice awards.
Since joining Southern Nuclear in 2005, Williams has influenced innovation across technical and strategic roles, steering safe, reliable operations for eight nuclear units and guiding external nuclear initiatives. His relentless challenge of what’s possible and commitment to building tomorrow’s workforce are evident in his service and mentorship throughout the industry, including advising the Woodruff School and the nuclear and radiological engineering program while chairing national efforts to advance new nuclear technologies.
Williams resides in Birmingham with his wife, Carol, and dogs, Blossom and Miles.
Engineering Hall of Fame
Membership in the Engineering Hall of Fame is reserved for individuals holding an engineering degree or honorary degree from Georgia Tech. Those selected have made meritorious engineering or managerial contributions during their careers.
Tom Noonan
ME 1983
Chairman, TEN Holdings LLC
Noonan is a founding partner of TechOperators LLC, an early-stage venture capital firm based in Atlanta that invests in innovative technology and cybersecurity companies. He also serves as chairman of TEN Holdings, a diversified family office managing investments across technology, manufacturing, and private equity.
A recognized leader in the cybersecurity industry, Noonan was the co-founder and longtime CEO of Internet Security Systems, which was acquired by IBM in 2006, where he went on to serve as general manager of the Internet Security Systems division. He has also started, built, led, and exited multiple technology companies, including Endgame Security, JouleX, Relayr, and Neokami.
President George W. Bush appointed Noonan to co-chair the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, a White House homeland defense initiative to protect systems critical to the nation's infrastructure. He also served on the National Security Agency Advisory Board from 2001 to 2017.
Noonan received the Joseph Mayo Petit Service Award from Georgia Tech in 2024 and the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 1999. In addition to his business ventures, he has served on numerous corporate and nonprofit boards, contributing his expertise in innovation, technology strategy, and leadership development.
Dean’s Impact Award
Many College of Engineering alumni have devoted themselves to fostering a more equitable global community that also is ecologically, socio-culturally, and economically sustainable. The Dean’s Impact Award recognizes the efforts of these alumni who are focused on developing globally relevant, locally sustainable innovations that meet societal challenges across the world. The College of Engineering is committed to a multicultural, multidisciplinary, sustainable, and international engagement by our students. This award recognizes those graduates who embrace engineering through this lens and have a vision to find solutions for the world’s grand challenges.
Curtis Lary, ME 2020, CEO, Hex
Nicholas Mulka, B.S. ME 2020, M.S. ME 2022, CTO, Hex
Across public safety, energy, rail, and critical infrastructure, organizations depend on aerial awareness to protect people and assets. Yet the tools meant to deliver that visibility are fragmented, difficult to deploy, and expensive to operate. Hex’s mission is to change that.
Hex builds fully autonomous drone-in-a-box systems and software that make high-frequency aerial data accessible, reliable, and simple to use. Its networked platforms, including rugged battery-swapping stations and the Hex Air autonomous flight stack, allow drones to launch, land, recharge, and collect data without human intervention.
Companies such as Flock Safety, Chevron, CSX, and leading public-safety agencies use Hex technology for real-time situational awareness, inspections, emergency response support, and continuous remote monitoring. The systems are deployed across challenging settings from rail corridors and refineries to dense urban environments.
With hundreds of stations installed across the United States and abroad, Hex is creating the infrastructure needed for on-demand aerial data. Its platforms have supported tens of thousands of automated missions that reduce operational cost, increase response speed, and improve safety for the communities and teams that rely on them.
Dean’s Appreciation Award
The College of Engineering has many valued supporters who are regularly recognized and appreciated by the College. The Dean’s Appreciation Award is a special honor for those individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the advancement of the College of Engineering. The award may go to engineering alumni or to honor individuals who have brought distinction to the College and Georgia Tech.
William J. Wepfer
Professor Emeritus
George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Tech
Wepfer served as the Eugene C. Gwaltney, Jr. School Chair and professor in the Woodruff School between 2008 and 2018. His research covered the area of thermal systems, and he is a fellow of ASME, ABET, and ASHRAE.
Wepfer was a member of the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET for 12 years and served as chair of the commission during the 2014-15 accreditation cycle. He was ABET president in 2021-2022. He also served on the ASME Board of Governors from 2016 to 2019.
Wepfer retired from Georgia Tech in 2018 after 38 years. He and his wife, Lynne, reside in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., spending time with their three grandchildren.
Ward Winer
Regents' Professor Emeritus
George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Tech
Winer was a Georgia Tech faculty member for more than 50 years. He served as the Eugene C. Gwaltney, Jr. School Chair of the Woodruff School from 1989 to 2008, the longest tenure in School history. His deep belief in the School’s mission — and his tireless efforts to communicate that belief — helped cultivate a relationship that, with the support of others, led to the extraordinary and transformative $100 million gift from John Durstine in 2025.
Winer’s research spanned tribology, fluid mechanics, high-pressure rheology, lubrication, thermomechanics, and machinery diagnostics. After retirement in 2008, he returned as the interim chair of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering for a year, and he continued part-time at Tech until 2019.
Winer passed away in May 2025 and is deeply missed by his family and the Georgia Tech community.
Winer’s son, Jim, ARCH 1982, M.ARCH 1986, accepted the Dean’s Appreciation Award on behalf of the Winer family. Jim is the founder of the Atlanta-based firm Make3 Architecture Planning & Design and a past member of the College of Design Advisory Board.
About the Alumni Awards
The College of Engineering Alumni Awards were created in 1994 under the leadership of John A. White during his tenure as dean. He passed the torch to Jean-Lou Chameau, former Georgia Tech provost and engineering dean, whose outstanding service to the College led him to receive the 2006 Dean’s Appreciation Award from then-Dean Don P. Giddens, a Tech engineering alumnus. For the next six years, the program would fall under the guidance of Dean Gary S. May, who received his B.S. degree in electrical and computer engineering from Georgia Tech. In 2017, Steven W. McLaughlin was appointed dean and served until 2020, when he was named the Institute’s provost. Dean Raheem Beyah, a native Atlantan who earned his master’s and Ph.D. degrees from Georgia Tech, led the College from 2021 until 2025 when he became provost. The Awards are now under the leadership of Interim Dean Doug Williams.