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Oklahoma State University

The School of Industrial Engineering and Management (IEM) has established the Cowboy Academy of Industrial Engineering and Management to accomplish several goals:
  • Recognize the accomplishments of IEM alumni
  • Harness their expertise and talent for advancing IEM so it can continue to produce distinguished alumni
  • Have Academy members serve as role models for current students
  • Help enhance IEM’s visibility
  • Serve as a sounding board for the School
  • Help with special projects.
The mission of the Cowboy Academy of Industrial Engineering and Management is for graduates to achieve their most valued and rewarding careers. On September 17th, 2020, eleven members will be inducted into the Cowboy Academy:
  • Derek Blackshare
  • Neal Buck
  • Geoff Clark
  • Chad Frye
  • Cem Karacal
  • Jamie Matlock
  • Guat Mei
  • Joe Mize
  • Robert Paiva
  • Jill Swift
  • Jon Womack
IEM is thankful for the ongoing support of the Cowboy Academy. Over the next couple of weeks, we'll be introducing them to you.
Meet the Inductees (part one)
Derek Blackshare
Derek received both his BS in Mechanical Engineering and MS in Industrial Engineering & Management from OSU. After graduation, Derek worked for Webb & Shirley Management Consultants, and then went on to work for Enercon Services as Manager of Environmental Services. He has served on the Environmental Programs Advisory Board for OSU and is a Registered Professional Engineer in four states. He has received many awards, including the "Corporate Champ" award presented by the Oklahoma Airport Operators Association, the "Environmental Excellence" award presented by the FAA, and "Most Admired CEO" by the Journal Record.
Neal Buck
Neal graduated with BS and MS degrees in Industrial Engineering and Management from Oklahoma State in 1979 and 1980. He spent his career in the oil and gas industry in Tulsa, first for Cities Service Company, later acquired by Occidental Petroleum, where he held analyst and management positions in information technology, planning, and project analysis. In 1996, Neal joined The Williams Companies in order to assist with growing their presence in the exploration and production business. In 2011, Neal helped spin off the E&P business from Williams as the completely separate, publicly traded company WPX Energy, where he served as senior vice president. Neal retired from WPX in 2014. 
Geoff Clark
Geoff completed his Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering & Management in 1988. After graduation, he went to work for Raytheon Company, and became Regional Director in the Greater Detroit Area. He currently is the CEO of Value Added Products and has worked to successfully cut expenses and retake Oklahoma customers. Geoff has more than twenty-eight years of managerial leadership, six sigma, lean manufacturing and strategy experience.
Chad Frye
Chad graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1995 with a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering & Management. After graduation, Chad started as a Project Engineer in Southard, OK, then became an Engineering & Shipping Manager in Dallas, Tx. Next, he worked as an Industrial Engineer at Boeing Commercial Electronics in Irving, Tx, while also serving on the OSU Industrial Advisory Board. His current role is Senior Manager of Platform Development & Support at Pioneer Natural Resources.
Cem Karacal
Cem Karacal is a Professor of Industrial Engineering and Dean of the School of Engineering at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He obtained his Ph.D. and M.S. degrees from Oklahoma State University in 1991 and 1986, respectively. He received his B.S. degree from Orta Dogu Technical University, Ankara, Turkey in 1982. He has a wide range of experiences in industry and academia. His main research and teaching interest areas are simulation modeling, quality control and operations research. 
Cowboy Academy Board of Directors
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