Randal Ferman

Randal Ferman has more than 45 years’ experience in the pump industry. He is a registered Professional Engineer in California and in Texas. During his 32 years with Flowserve, a global pump manufacturer, his responsibilities covered a broad range of engineering assignments. He is presently Principal, Ekwestrel Engineering LLC, Austin, Texas, providing services on new and existing pumping equipment and systems. His clients span a range of industries including oil & gas, electric power generation, water, wastewater, solids handling, pump manufacturing, engineering and construction, energy efficiency, pipeline transportation, and pump service and repair.

Jaclyn Herrera

Is the owner and founder of Continuity Consequence, a full-service data driven brand, marketing and sales strategy. Jaclyn helps her clients find continuity between sales and marketing to help customers capture market share globally. Jaclyn brings a blend of marketing, brand building, sales, and even operational experience to harness and execute her clients’ messages globally. Jaclyn holds a degree in marketing from the University of North Texas. She resides in Houston with her two children.

Prior to running her agency Jaclyn was Vortex Companies Chief Marketing Officer & SVP of Product Sales, and was responsible for the long-term global sales, brand and corporate marketing strategy. She was also responsible for tailoring the buying journey for a unique experience in the trenchless space for Vortex’s customers. As the head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, she led Vortex’s vision of restoring communities and transforming the industry through the diversity of our people, dynamic partnerships, and the innovative solutions they provide.

Margaret Misera

Margaret Misera is a Rotating Equipment Engineer at S & B Engineers and Constructors. She has 8 years of experience in specification and selection of rotating equipment for midstream and downstream applications as well as recent exposure to new equipment applications in the renewables sector. She has gained recognition as Industry Person of the Year in 2019 for Empowering Pumps and Equipment and currently holds a Professional Engineering License in the State of Texas. She earned her B.S.M.E from Baylor University and M.S.M.E from Villanova University where she gained a detailed background in the analysis of thermal fluid systems. In her free time, she enjoys playing soccer and being with her family at the lake

Ron Frisard

Ron Frisard has spent 30 years as a technical expert in Mechanical Packing and Industrial Gasketing. He has traveled over 900,000 miles (3.8 times the distance to the moon) to customers around the globe. Ron is currently Global Training Manager for AW Chesterton. He manages the design, development, analysis, and execution of training. He also handles skill- based performance improvement programs. These programs meet the needs of Chesterton’s sales representatives and customers. Ron has also been considered an "industry influencer" and an Industry person of the week by Empowering Pumps and Equipment.

Yolanda Kokayi

A graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington, Yolanda has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications with a specialization in Broadcast Journalism. She has an extensive background in B2B marketing, communications, and public relations. As a marketer, she is a passionate brand advocate and has worked over the past two decades helping leading companies build engaging brands and telling their stories.

Yolanda is a member of the American Water Works Association (AWWA), Empowering Women, Manufacturing Alliance for Productivity and Innovation (MAPI) Marketing Council and the U.S. Conference of Mayors Water Council.

Stephanie Hajducek

Stephanie Hajducek is the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of This One’s for the Gals, an organization that helps to educate and empower girls to step out of their comfort zone and step into a world of endless possibilities in industry. She has held positions with industry leading companies such as Bechtel, ChevronPhillips, Puffer Sweiven, Citgo and Steel Dynamics. After almost 20 years out of high school, and with the support of her husband and three children, Stephanie earned her bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering Technology from The University of Southern Mississippi. She hopes that by sharing her experiences she is able to help girls find their career path a little sooner rather than later.

Stefanie Vaughan

Stefanie is part of the 4th generation of Vaughan family who owns and operates Vaughan Company, Inc. Vaughan Company is a manufacturer of centrifugal chopper pumps, screw pumps, hydraulic mixing systems, and other specialty products sold worldwide. She has worked for the business for 25 years. Her role is Marketing Director, Trade Show & Event Coordinator, and Ops Challenge Vaughan Maintenance Event Coordinator for the 2023-2026 season. Stefanie currently is a member of the WEF MARC, WEFTEC Advisory Committee, PNCWA Member, PNCWA Women of Water, SWPA Member, and WiM (Women in Manufacturing) Member. In her spare time, she likes to coach softball, soccer, and basketball for her kids, watch live music, and get new tattoos.

ADVISORY BOARD

H.J. Dewes

Howard (H.J.) Dewes, Business Development Manager, HVAC- Hydronics for the ABB Drives business, has spent more than thirty years at ABB, where he has contributed to the growth of the business, from the factory floor and logistics to channel management, sales, business development, marketing and acquisition integration.

A tenacious learner with the capacity to view matters from multiple perspectives, H.J. leverages in-depth research, critical thinking and strong analytical skills to develop effective, broad-based plans. As an independently motivated, customer-focused, team player with strong interpersonal skills, he has a proven track record as a strategic leader, who leverages cross-functional teams to optimize results.

H.J. served in the United States Navy and holds a degree in from Marquette University with majors in Organization Leadership and Communication Studies. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Hydraulic Institute (HI), which drives quality, performance, and energy standards for the pumping community, and on the National Electrical Manufacturers’ Association’s (NEMA) Artificial Intelligence Task Force. Previously, he actively participated in The Water Council and Midwest Energy Research Consortium’s Strategic Energy-Water Nexus Task Force.

Nadine Tribur

Nadine Tribur is the Director of the Instrumentation and Electrical Engineering and Engineering Solutions Departments at S&B Engineers and Constructors in Houston, Texas. She has over 10 years of leadership experience overseeing a department of over 500 engineers and designers located across 15 offices in seven states and servicing multiple business units. Additionally, she is an innovator; assessing business needs, return on investments, facilitating the implementation/ integration, and defining governance of engineering software. She volunteers her time to the University of Houston Downtown Industrial Advisory Board, is an active participant on the NCEES PE test committee for Control Systems and participates in professional development seminars at various colleges.

Gakuo Ndonga

Gakuo Ndonga is an application engineering expert with SKF USA Inc. He has spent over eight years working in the fluid industry with expertise in rolling element bearing applications for pumps. Gakuo is a graduate of Rowan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Early in his career Gakuo was exposed to working in the industry as mechanic and later as a sales engineer. This early exposure helped him understand technical problem solving from different perspectives and segments of the business. As an application engineering expert, Gakuo contributes to industry publications such as Pump and Systems, Pump Engineer, and Plant Services magazines. He also helps train and mentor others in the field. Gakuo is also passionate about fostering diversity, equity and inclusion and is helping his organization drive meaningful change both internally and out.

Amy Marroquin

Amy is a Sr. Hydraulic Engineer for Blacoh Industries, a certified Women's Business Enterprise, and leading manufacturer of pulsation dampeners, surge suppression and other industrial fluid control products. In this role, Amy provides training and guidance in the fields of waterhammer and computer surge analysis. She is a Texas A&M engineering graduate with almost 20 years of engineering and management experience. Designs have encompassed numerous piping systems, pressure vessels and packaged equipment for a broad range of fluid medias including water, chemical, hydrocarbons, natural gas and sour gas. Amy has held leadership roles in several fast faced, critical projects installed worldwide.