Partnership Council
The Molinaroli College Partnership Council was established to give the Dean of the
Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing a platform to collaborate with knowledgeable,
influential, and philanthropic community and corporate leaders, business owners, and
dedicated alumni. This collaboration aims to broaden the college's reach, elevate
its profile, and secure the necessary support to develop into a world-class institution
for engineering and computing education.
Council Members
Dale Bennett
Dale Bennett , a U.S. Air Force veteran, holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
from the University of South Carolina (1981), a master's degree from Johns Hopkins
University, and an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Joining Lockheed
Martin as a systems engineer in 1981, Bennett advanced to the role of Executive Vice
President. He led pivotal advancements in modeling, simulation, and training, including
the development of the F-35 Lightning II simulator and a convoy-based simulation program
for the Army and Marines. Bennett remains committed to supporting diversity and inclusion
initiatives, as well as STEM programs for underrepresented students at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology.
Rachel Peters Card
Rachel Peters Card is the Co-founder and CEO of CxC Dev, where she leads a development
collective focused on emerging technology and purpose-driven strategy. She also serves
as a Lecturer and Faculty Mentor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Previously,
Rachel held senior roles at Microsoft, including Senior Director of Program Management
for Microsoft Gaming and Chief of Staff for Microsoft Devices. She has extensive experience
in both government and private sector initiatives. Rachel holds a Master of Mechanical
Engineering and an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as
a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the University of South Carolina (2000).
Deepal S. Eliatamby
Deepal Eliatamby is the President of Alliance Consulting Engineers, Inc., a premier
engineering firm headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina, with offices throughout
the Southeast. Under his leadership, the firm has been recognized as one of South
Carolina's Fastest Growing Companies and listed among the Top 100 Design Firms in
the Southeast by Engineering News Record Magazine. Deepal holds both bachelor's (1988)
and master's (1989) degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of South Carolina.
He is actively involved in numerous professional organizations and has spearheaded
over 1,950 projects, resulting in more than $25 billion in capital investment and
the creation of 35,000 jobs. His significant contributions to engineering and economic
development have earned him both national and statewide recognition, including being
named among the Top 50 Most Influential People in the Midlands by SCBiz in 2022.
Cedric F. Green
Cedric F. Green is Senior Vice President of Generation at Dominion Energy Virginia.
He oversees the operations, engineering, and maintenance of Dominion Energy’s fossil,
hydro, and renewable generating facilities, as well as its energy storage portfolio
and solar generating facilities at Contracted Assets. Dr. Green began his career at
SCANA in 1994 as an intern. Over the next 25 years, he held various leadership roles
in electric and gas operations across North and South Carolina. In 2019, he was named
Vice President of Gas Services for the Southeast Energy Group, and later that year,
he became Vice President of Gas Transmission & Storage Technical Services. In 2020,
he was appointed Vice President of Technical Services for Dominion Energy Virginia
and assumed his current role in 2022. Dr. Green holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
(1997), an MBA (2002), an M.E. in Mechanical Engineering (2008), and a Ph.D. in Mechanical
Engineering (2015), all from the University of South Carolina. He is also a Licensed
Professional Engineer in South Carolina.
David King
David King recently retired from Dynetics, a Leidos company, where he served as Chief
Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors. With over 35 years of experience
in space systems development and operations, King's career highlights include serving
as NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Director and Space Shuttle Launch Director
at Kennedy Space Center. He played pivotal roles in over 100 space shuttle missions
and led recovery efforts after the Columbia accident. King is recognized as an American
Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Fellow and has received prestigious
awards including the National Space Club Goddard Memorial Trophy and multiple NASA
Outstanding Leadership Medals. He continues to contribute to his community as chairman
of The Enrichment Center and serves on several boards including the Chamber of Commerce
of Huntsville/Madison County and Leadership Alabama. King holds a bachelor's degree
in Mechanical Engineering (1983) from the University of South Carolina and a MBA from
Florida Institute of Technology (1990).
Aaron LaBerge
Aaron LaBerge is the Chief Technology Officer at PENN Entertainment, responsible for
driving the technology strategy and execution for PENN, leading a multinational team
of technologists and serving as the key business leader for the company’s Interactive
division. He spent over 20 years at The Walt Disney Company, most recently as President
& Chief Technology Officer for Disney Entertainment and ESPN, where he spearheaded
technology and product development for the media divisions. Prior to this, he was
Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at ESPN, playing a crucial role
in the growth of ESPN’s digital media products and services. Between 2007 and 2012,
he co-founded and served as CEO of Fanzter, Inc., a venture-funded consumer software
and digital product development company. LaBerge holds a degree in Electrical and
Computer Engineering from the University of South Carolina (1996).
Alex Molinaroli
Alex Molinaroli a distinguished graduate of the University of South Carolina, earned
his degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering (1983). He later completed his Master
of Business Administration (MBA) from Northwestern University. Molinaroli began his
career at Johnson Controls, where he advanced over 35 years to become CEO in 2013.
During his tenure, he implemented major strategic initiatives, expanded operations
into China, and divested the company's automotive businesses, culminating in the merger
with Tyco International in 2016. Beyond his executive roles, Molinaroli has served
on several boards, including Interstate Battery and the Milwaukee School of Engineering,
and has participated in prominent organizations such as the Business Roundtable and
the World Economic Forum.
Chris Vlahoplus
Chris Vlahoplus currently serves as Senior Consultant to the Department of Energy
Loan Programs Office. Before this role, he spent 28 years as a management consultant
in the energy and utility industry, including 20 years as a partner at ScottMadden.
At ScottMadden, Chris led the clean tech and sustainability practice for six years
and co-led the firm’s nuclear consulting practice. He provided strategic guidance
to over 40 companies on electric generation business management, merger integration,
strategic and business planning, organizational restructuring, and management models.
Prior to his time at ScottMadden, Chris worked in nuclear safety at Duke Power Company.
He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of South Carolina (1984),
an M.S. in Nuclear Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and
an M.B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Barbara Hickman Whye
Barbara Hickman Whye is Vice President of Inclusion & Diversity at Apple, where she
is leading the company’s commitment to building a more equitable and inclusive world
by increasing diverse representation at every level, fostering an inclusive culture
that brings everybody in, and ensuring equitable pay and access to opportunity for
all. Barbara joined Apple in 2021 after more than 25 years of experience as an engineer, leader,
and C-suite executive in the technology sector, including as Intel’s Chief Diversity and
Inclusion Officer and Corporate Vice President of Social Impact. Barbara has a reputation
for accelerating change and driving results. In 2020 and 2021, Barbara was recognized
as one of Fortune magazine’s 50 Most Powerful Women in Business. She graduated from
the University of South Carolina with a B.S. in electrical engineering (1989) and
an MBA from USC’s Darla Moore School of Business (1995). Whye also holds a PhD, in
Artificial Intelligence and Ethics, from Arizona State University.
Jim Wiseman
Jim Wiseman, a Mechanical Engineering graduate from the University of South Carolina
(1979), is a key figure in the evolution of Margaritaville, where he merges business
acumen with a passion for real estate and hospitality. His career encompasses a range
of roles, from engineering at Duke Power to leading major real estate developments
such as Barefoot Landing in Myrtle Beach. Wiseman's involvement with Margaritaville
began with a successful partnership with CEO John Cohlan, which expanded the brand
from restaurants to resorts across the United States and the Caribbean. As President
of Margaritaville Development, he now manages a diverse portfolio of resorts and growth
strategies, embodying the laid-back ethos of Jimmy Buffett’s iconic brand.