Distinguished Alumni

Steven J. Betza

Research Engineering Director, Lockheed Martin Corporation (retired)

Steven J. (Steve) Betza served as corporate director of future workforce and strategic outreach at Lockheed Martin in Bethesda, Maryland, prior to his retirement in 2019. In this capacity, he led selected, new partnerships with government, industry, and academia to advance workforce development and process innovation for a corporation with 50,000 scientists and engineers and $54 billion in annual sales.

During a 36-year career with IBM and Lockheed Martin, Betza held progressively responsible positions in engineering, program management, and information technology. At Lockheed Martin, he served as engineering director for a 400-person Electronic Products organization, program director for a $120 million business area, CIO for a $2.5 billion group of Lockheed Martin companies, and corporate director for advanced manufacturing, launching a five-year, $30 million research investment in Manufacturing-USA institutes. Betza then led the futurist team for Lockheed Martin’s Future Enterprise Initiative, which explored emerging capabilities that will be transformative in 2030 and beyond.

Betza currently serves on the board of directors of National Science Olympiad (IL), the Board of Trustees for the Guthrie Healthcare System (PA) and the Philanthropic Council for Penn State. Since 2005, Steve has also served as an adviser to the Department of Defense, the Defense Science Board, National Security Agency, and U.S. Congress on issues related to trusted electronics, manufacturing innovation, and the U.S. industrial base.

Betza earned his bachelor of science in electrical engineering with highest distinction from Penn State in 1982, was named a Penn State Outstanding Engineering Alumnus in 2002, a Tau Beta Pi Eminent Engineer in 2013, a Penn State Alumni Fellow in 2017, and a Professor of Practice in 2019. He continues to sponsor undergraduate research and senior engineering capstone projects at Penn State Altoona.

Steve is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers and the American Radio Relay League. He and his wife, Barbara, make their home in the village of Endicott, New York.  

Samir Mehta

Business Development Manager, Amazon Web Services

Samir Mehta is a business development manager for the Amazon Web Services World Wide Public Sector team, focusing on connecting emerging technology with the mission of the defense industrial base. In this role, he identifies and applies cloud computing capabilities to accelerate product research, design, manufacture, and technology adoption for a transforming workforce. His background includes the design, manufacturing, and sustainment of propulsion and power systems, and building a digital line of business to support the aerospace and defense industry.

Prior to joining AWS, Mehta spent 17 years in General Electric businesses, with progressive technical and commercial responsibilities. He began his career as a design engineer, designing jet engine components, repair processes, lean process development, and ensuring engine delivery for civil and military aircraft. He left engine design for commercial leadership roles, where he managed civil engine service accounts and valuated businesses for acquisition into the GE Aviation portfolio. Mehta later led sales and business development for the GE Aviation Integrated Systems Power Generation business, where he worked with United States military and global customers to power current and next generation aircraft platforms. He concluded his time at GE as the general manager of a digital business building analytics to improve mission capability and safety.

Mehta holds a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from Penn State and a master of science in mechanical engineering from Ohio State.

Rick Merluzzi

Chief Executive Officer, Metal Exchange Corporation

Metal Exchange Corporation (MEC) is a leading global manufacturing and marketer of nonferrous metals-based products. The company is privately held and headquartered in St. Louis, MO. MEC operates six United States manufacturing facilities as well as a joint venture facility in Italy. Additionally, the company has sales offices in St. Louis, Los Angeles, Shanghai, Zurich, and Singapore.

Merluzzi previously was president & CEO of Pennex Aluminum, a Pennsylvania-based producer of aluminum extrusions for the automotive, building, and construction industries. Prior to joining Pennex, he was president of Edlon Inc., a specialty manufacturer of fluoropolymer-based products. Merluzzi held several executive positions with FMC Corporation in Philadelphia including general manager of their food ingredients and specialty peroxygen businesses. He also served as division controller, marketing manager, and business analyst during his tenure with the company. Merluzzi began his career with Mobil Corporation where he held positions in R&D, engineering, operations, and finance including international assignments in Italy and Saudi Arabia.

Merluzzi received his bachelor of science in civil engineering from Penn State and an M.B.A. in finance from Drexel University. He is past chairman of the Aluminum Extruders Council as well as past chairman of the Society of Plastics Fluoropolymer Lined Products Section. Merluzzi currently serves on the board of several business and charity organizations.

Rick literally has a family of engineers: his wife Kathryn has a degree in chemical engineering from Notre Dame, son Rick has a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from Cornell, son Alex has a civil engineering degree from Lehigh, and son Andrew has a chemical engineering degree from Villanova.

Leslie D. Shuman

Operations Readiness Director, Alcoa Inc. (retired)

Born and raised outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Shuman's connection with Penn State started at an early age. She graduated from Penn State’s Harold and Inge Marcus Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering in 1985 and accepted a position with The Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa Inc.). Shuman worked at Alcoa for 31 years holding roles in sales, production planning, and lean manufacturing. Shuman led lean manufacturing efforts from 2000-07, developing training for business leaders in lean implementation. Shuman was named supply chain director for the global aluminum sheet and plate business from 2008-13 where she was responsible for production planning, sales, and operations planning (S&OP), transportation, raw materials procurement, and customer service for the $6 billion global sheet and plate business. In 2013 she moved to East Tennessee to lead a $300 million business expansion as operations readiness director. In 2015, Leslie was named a STEP Award Honoree recognizing women in manufacturing by the Manufacturing Institute. Shuman retired from full-time corporate life in 2016. She now works part-time as a consultant.

Shuman stayed connected to Penn State wherever she has lived and was named Penn State Outstanding Engineering Alumni in 2012. She has served on the industrial and manufacturing engineering department's Industrial and Professional Advisory Council for more than 16 years and currently serves on the Penn State Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Society board where she chairs the alumni outreach committee and acts as a student mentor.

Leslie lives on Tellico Lake in East Tennessee with her husband, Steve. Her hobbies include water sports, hiking, triathlons, and Penn State football.