MechSE Alumni Awards

Michael Kessler

MSTAM 1998, PhDTAM 2002
Louis M. Sardella Department Head and Professor of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University

Kessler is the Louis M. Sardella Department Head and Professor of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. From 2017 until joining Johns Hopkins in 2023, Kessler was the Dean of the College of Engineering at North Dakota State University (NDSU). Prior to that, he was the Berry Family Director of the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Washington State University (WSU), where he served as the chief academic and administrative officer. In addition, he was the founding co-director of the Center for Bioplastics and Biocomposites (CB2), a National Science Foundation (NSF) Industry and University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRC) co-located at Washington State University and Iowa State University (and now North Dakota State University).

An expert in the mechanics, processing, and characterization of polymer matrix composites and nanocomposites, Kessler’s research interests include the development of multifunctional self-healing materials, polymer matrix composites for extreme environments, bio-renewable polymers and composites, and the evaluation of these materials using experimental mechanics and thermal analysis.

William Profilet

BSME 1984
Business Development Executive and Consultant, Pro Defense Consulting LLC

Profilet is the Principal of Pro Defense Consulting, located in St. Louis, MO. His career has included roles as a Nuclear Trained Submarine Officer in the U.S. Navy, a Senior Director of Business Development at Boeing Defense Space and Security (BDS) and retiring as a Legacy Fellow in Business Development at BAE Systems Electronic Systems.

Profilet spent 27 years with McDonnell Douglas/Boeing, in both Engineering and Business Development roles and another seven years at BAE Systems as a Business Development Senior Director. He retired in March of 2023 after being named as the first Business Development Legacy Fellow in the U.S. for BAE Systems. He established Pro Defense Consulting LLC to selectively consult in the areas of international business development, domestic business development, and business development functional excellence.

In addition to his University of Illinois degree, he also holds an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis and certificates from the Naval War College (National Security Decision Making) and Villanova University (Program Management). Profilet has extensive experience serving on many different boards.