CHEE Class Notes - August 2021 | Chemical and Environmental Engineering

Robert Barnhill
Class of 1960, BS in Chemical Engineering
bobbarnhill@gmail.com

I was the first chemical engineering graduate from the UA. I was not necessarily number one in my class – but my last name begins with “B” and the only student with a last name that begins with an “A” got married before graduation.

My work history included several companies:

General Electric Hanford Atomic Products Operation – Richland, WA
Humble Oil-Standard Oil – Houston, TX and Los Angeles, CA
Johns Manville, Pipe Division – Tucson, AZ
Industrial Nucleonics, Western U.S. Sales Department

I also worked for several smaller companies in the mining field.

I am currently retired and live in Sonoita, AZ. I raised Arabian horses for many years. I have three kids, six grandkids and two great-grandkids. On my wife Gail’s side, I have several step grandkids and step-great-grandkids. Attached is a not-so-good picture, but it proves I am alive, anyway!

Newton Don
Class of 1968, BS in Chemical Engineering
newtondon349@gmail.com

Three years ago, I decided to take up the oboe after nearly 40 years. I played for four years in high school and then for about eight years in the late 1970's and early 1980's. I had the opportunity to trial new oboes in Paris at Loree and Marigaux, the two leading manufacturers, before I bought a new oboe. I was lucky to start lessons with the San Francisco Symphony’s solo English horn player. The pandemic put an end to lessons, but I’m looking forward to restarting them and joining a community orchestra this summer.

Humberto Teran
Class of 1969, BS in Chemical Engineering
hfteran@gmail.com

My wife Kris and I got away from the heat by going on a baseball tour from Seattle to San Diego. A west coast classic!

Michael Hwang
Class of 2010, BS in Chemical Engineering
linkedin.com/in/michaelyhwang

I recently was named in Phoenix Business Journal’s 40 under 40!

I work in supply chain sustainability at Intel. I started at Intel as an environmental engineer in 2010, where I learned about the intersection of supply chain management and sustainability through a pilot project to convert spent polystyrene reels from a manufacturing production line into pencil boxes to be donated to local schools. This inspired me to focus my MBA studies on supply chain, where I worked in commodity and IT management. I am also active in the Next(Gen) Employee Resource Group and the Sustainability Leader Speaker Series to advance and promote understanding of corporate responsibility.

I grew up in Ahwatukee, AZ and outside of work I enjoy international travel and exploring Arizona.

Iesha Batts
Class of 2016, BS in Chemical Engineering
imbatts@email.arizona.edu

I was recently hired to be an Associate District Representative for Nalco Water, an Ecolab Company.