JoAnn P. Browning, B.S. in civil engineering, 1994 | M.S. in civil engineering, 1995
Browning is a two-time graduate of the University of Kentucky, where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering in 1994 and 1995. Browning went on to complete her Ph.D. at Purdue University in 1998. Her technical expertise centers on the life extension of concrete structures through earthquake resistance, durability and sustainability. Browning is the Lutcher Brown Distinguished Chair and professor of civil engineering at the School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, and Construction Management at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She recently concluded two years of service as interim vice president for research for UTSA, overseeing the university’s research enterprise and advancing large-scale initiatives, faculty development and research integrity efforts.
Ruth A. Coleman, B.S. in civil engineering, 1977
Coleman was the first Black American woman to earn an engineering degree from the University of Kentucky when she graduated with her Bachelor of Science in civil engineering in 1977. She continued to blaze trails in the field as one of the earliest Black American women to rise to senior engineering positions within major firms. Over the course of her career, she designed facilities for public, private, commercial, industrial and government clients across the globe, holding senior structural engineering roles with leading firms. Among her significant achievements, Coleman oversaw major infrastructure initiatives such as the design of a seawater treatment plant barge in Alaska and large-scale refinery and petrochemical facilities. Her expertise spans seismic design, modular construction, structural safety analysis and the application of U.S. and international design standards.
Phil Foster, B.S. in chemical engineering, 1981
Foster earned his Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from the University of Kentucky in 1981. He has spent more than 25 years with Honeywell, where he holds the title of Engineering Fellow — a designation reserved for the top 1% of the company’s technical staff. In this role, he leads advanced research and technology initiatives, manages global engineering teams and guides product development from early concept through commercialization. He also operates a successful consulting practice serving manufacturing firms and emerging technology ventures. Foster has contributed to 12 U.S. patents, along with numerous proprietary processes held as trade secrets, and aided national and international standards development. His career has shaped modern microelectronics manufacturing, advanced sensor technology and semiconductor processing across global markets.
Greg C. Heitzman, B.S. in civil engineering, 1980 | M.S. in civil engineering, 1982
Heitzman earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering, specializing in hydraulics, from the University of Kentucky in 1980 and 1982. In 1988, he completed his MBA at the University of Louisville. Heitzman is the founder of BlueWater Kentucky, where he advises rural and regional water systems on strategic planning, regulatory compliance and operational excellence. Prior to this, he served as executive director and CEO of Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District, and president and CEO of Louisville Water Company. During his tenure at Louisville Water Company, he directed more than $500 million in capital improvements and pioneered one of the nation’s first GIS-based pipe evaluation and replacement programs — an approach now recognized as an industry best practice for replacing aging water infrastructure. Under his leadership, Louisville Water Company achieved an AAA bond rating for financial excellence and was twice named “Best Tasting Tap Water in America.”
JoAnna Lio, B.S. in computer science, 2001
Lio earned her bachelor’s degree in computer science and English from the University of Kentucky in 2001 and went on to complete a master’s degree in Immersive Mediated Environments from Indiana University. For more than two decades, she has been a driving force at Electronic Arts (EA), a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. Based at EA’s headquarters, she currently serves as a production director on The Sims™ franchise within the Maxis studio. Lio leads interdisciplinary teams in delivering high-definition, interactive experiences to hundreds of millions of players on PC/Mac, console and mobile platforms. Her production work on the iconic franchise spans from “The Sims 2” through “The Sims 4,” including multiple expansion packs. As of February 2025, The Sims™ franchise has attracted more than 500 million players worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling video game series of all time and shaping the life-simulation genre.
Ramesh Singh, B.S. in electrical engineering, 1981
Singh earned his Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Kentucky in 1981 before completing his Master of Science at Southern Methodist University. He is an internationally recognized semiconductor executive and technology entrepreneur whose four-decade career has helped shape mobile graphics, embedded imaging, data systems architecture and global semiconductor manufacturing collaboration. Singh currently serves as executive chairman of three organizations: VVDN Technologies, a global engineering and manufacturing organization of more than 13,000 employees with an India IPO planned; International Battery Company, a company driving worldwide adoption of giga-watt battery cell manufacturing and cell production of many chemistries; and Living Optics, a hyperspectral imaging innovator based in Oxford, United Kingdom. Additionally, he is co-founder and board director of Tsecond, a defense-tech company specializing in AI and storage infrastructure for tactical operations.
