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the BRAE weekly

Week 9- march 4, 2015

Student Opportunities

Page 2-7

March Calendar

Page 12

BRAE News and Events

Page 8-11

Good morning! This week there is a lot going on in the department. Check out the two op-portunities listed below. If you have any ques-tions, feel free to stop by the office. Have a

great week! -Alyssa

AES 6th General MeetingAES Industry Panel Meeting is tonight (3/4/15) at 6 PM in Lab 1. Come meet and converse with various individuals from industry about what they are looking for in perspective employ-ees. Feel free to ask direct question about scor-ing a job during the question and answer segment.

BRAE Career FairBRAE Career Fair is tomorrow (3/5/15) from 8 AM to 12 PM in Lab 1. Come by with your re-sumes and talk with the 28 companies that will be in attendance. This is your opportunity to get the summer internship or full time job. Don’t miss out, and be sure to thank the companies for tak-ing the time to come down and talk with you.

Career Fair Companies:H.G. Makelim

Steve P. Rados, Inc.Preston Pipelines

Ag Industrial Manufacturing IncACME Engineering

Capay OrganicsJG Boswell

Flory IndustriesProvost and PritchardDavis Machine Shop

Heinzen Manufacturing InternationalOrchard Machinery Corporation

HCL Machine WorksReiter Berries

SensientParamount Citrus

Bowsmith IrrigationExeter Irrigation

CannonParamount Farms

Vineyard Professional Services, IncRDO Water

Nichols FarmsLodi Irrigation

Berendsen Fluid PowerWECO

True Leaf Farms Andros Engineering

The Weekly Newsletter for the BioResource and Agricultural Engineering Department

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Student Opportunities

Agricultural Machinery Engineer Summary This position involves the design and development of new agricultural equipment for the nut harvesting industry. This includes using CAD tools to develop computer models of new machinery and performing engineering analysis on proposed designs. Job Description

• Responsible for design of new farm machinery for specialized markets • Assist in maintaining all documentation required to manufacture current product-

line of 20+ models; including, but not limited to: o Fabrication drawings o Weldment drawings o Assembly documentation and instructions o Bill of Materials

• Involved in routine design updates for existing models • Undertake research projects to assist with product improvement • Problem solving for manufacturing processes

Qualifications

• BS in an applicable engineering discipline • Previous experience in machine design preferred • Good mechanical background, and understanding of equipment • Electronic systems and controls programming background is beneficial • Self motivated, with great attention to detail • Proficient with engineering and support software such as:

o Solid Works o AutoCad o Cosmos

• Experience with an MRP package is desirable • Comfortable communicating with managers, shop personnel, suppliers and

customers

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Student Opportunities CenUSA  Bioenergy  –  hosted  by  Iowa  State  University  

Research  Internship  Experience  for  Undergraduates  May  28  –  August  1  Application  Deadline  –  March  16  

   The  summer  2015  CenUSA  Bioenergy  Research  Internship  Experience  for  Undergraduates  will  provide  rich  interdisciplinary  training  and  engagement  opportunities  for  undergraduate  students  in  all  areas  of  the  bioenergy  value  chain  to  meet  the  workforce  challenges  of  the  emerging  bioeconomy.      The  research  internship  program  will  enroll  a  class  of  20  students,  with  all  students  spending  the  first  five  days  of  the  program  at  the  Iowa  State  University  host  site.  While  a  portion  of  the    students  will  remain  at  Iowa  State  University,  several  of  the  students  will  then  travel  to  one  of  CenUSA’s  partner  institutions  (depending  on  their  research  interests)  to  complete  their  summer  program  at  a  partner  lab.  This  summer,  our  students  will  be  working  on  research  projects  at  Iowa  State  University,  the  University  of  Nebraska  –  Lincoln,  Purdue  University,  the  University  of  Wisconsin  –  Madison,    the  USDA  National  Center  for  Agricultural  Utilization  Research  in  Peoria,  Illinois,  and  at  our  industry  partner,  Archer  Daniels  Midland.  All  students  will  maintain  in  contact  with  the  program  through  distance  technologies  for  weekly  meetings,  seminars,  and  final  presentations.  Our  research  undergraduate  interns  will  select  from  projects  in  the  following  areas:  

• Feedstock  Development  • Field-­‐Level  Sustainability  • Logistics  • Policy-­‐Level  Sustainability  • Feedstock  Conversion  Economics  • Markets  and  Distribution  • Health  and  Safety  

   Selected  undergraduate  interns  will  gain  practical  research  skills  in  computer  modeling,  field  methods,  and/or  experimental  design  by  conducting  independent  projects  under  the  guidance  of  experienced  faculty  and  research  scientists.  Other  activities  of  our  CenUSA  Bioenergy  Internship  Program  are  designed  for  social,  leadership,  and  professional  development  of  the  undergraduate  participants.  Students  selected  for  the  program  will  work  on  interdisciplinary  teams  with  faculty,  graduate  students,  post-­‐docs,  and  in  some  cases  industrial  partners.      PROGRAM  INCLUDES  

• Hands-­‐on  research  in  state-­‐of-­‐the-­‐art  facilities  • Seminars,  workshops,  and  field  trips  • Group  social  activities  and  closing  poster  session  • Program  dates  are  May  28  –  August  1  

   ELIGIBILITY  

• Undergraduate  students  majoring  in  science  or  engineering  • U.S.  Citizen  or  permanent  resident  • Minorities  and  women  strongly  encouraged  to  apply  

   AWARD  

• $4,500  stipend  • Travel  allowance  • Room  and  board  

   The  final  application  deadline  is  March  16.  Selections  will  be  based  on  a  combination  of  research  interests,  academic  qualifications,  and  faculty  recommendations.  Faculty  recommendations  must  be  received  by  March  20.  All  admission  decisions  will  be  made  by  late  April.      If  you  have  any  specific  questions  about  the  program,  please  contact  MaryAnn  Moore,  mamoore@iastate.edu  or  515.294.4249.  

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Student Opportunities PECISION HYDRO – WELLS – PUMPS – ELECTRICAL - ENGINES

Engineer Assistant – Atascadero Office JOB LOCATION:

Atascadero, California

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Engineer Assistant – Atascadero Office POSITION SUMMARY:

• Works with Project Manager, Production Manager and Field Crews in developing and maintaining project documentation including bids, specifications, meeting minutes, transmittals, requests for quotes, reviews and approvals, and other project documentation

• Assist in general project administrative tasks - phones, e-mails, copying, filing, organizing, mailing, and expediting information as needed

• Communicate with Customers on project status, schedule, changes, and documentation • Assist in maintaining and refining the electronic files system and standard documents using Microsoft Office • Prioritize a variety of tasks with little supervision • Open jobs, prepare job and project plans to include necessary field supporting documents • Gathers from Customers technical and necessary data relating to project • Gathers and prepares historical and current project documents • Monitors project status and materials to ensure delivery times and update schedule • Support Production Manager and Field Crews to assure field support data are prepared and ready, and assist with

procurement of materials to help Production and Field Crews be successful • Work as a contributing member of a team • Assist with arranging, preparing and facilitating technical presentations

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Engineer Assistant is expected to possess a wide range of skills, talents and knowledge necessary to assist with the management of projects from conception through billing, and job completion. The position requires strong analytical ability, mechanical, and strong computer skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Must have professional presentation and interpersonal skills; over the phone and in person. Possess an advanced level of computer skills with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook). This includes the ability to apply advanced formatting to MS Word documents, to build Excel spreadsheets, and to create forms, and reports. Ability to work in a fast pace, dynamic, and team environment with constant communication between all departments.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS DESIRED, BUT NOT REQUIRED:

Accounting, purchasing, collections, project management, and technical or mechanical background A background or knowledge in well and booster pump applications

HOW TO APPLY:

Provide a resume with contact information and work or education references. Complete and submittal a Precision Hydro job application and California Drivers license. For more detailed information on the position, and application process please calling 805-704-9095

SALARY:

Precision Hydro offers a competitive salary as well as medical benefits.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

Open Until Filled

CONTACT:

Geoffrey A. Bates, 805-704-9095 or e-mail to wellspumps@gmail.com

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Student Opportunities

Come into the BRAE Office for Applications

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Student Opportunities

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Student Opportunities To All Undergrads,

The Cal Poly Water and Energy Sustainability Training Team (WESTT) is currently accepting applications for their Spring 2015 research program. This is an incredible opportunity to be a part of cutting edge research related to water and wastewater treatment, algae production, algae biofuels, and anaerobic digestion. For more information about this program and our goals visit our google plus page.

Besides improving your resume and learning valuable analytical and laboratory techniques, 400 level units are available. Many of the skills learned during this program are usually associated with graduate level re-search and will give you a head start in the field upon graduation.

If you are interested in applying for this program during the Spring 2015 quarter fill out the application https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1JJJV1r4roqfoNi1zr6ZIBwG4rcqY2VNVzABVDtSgloY/viewform. Please submit your application no later than March 18, 2015.

Best Regards,Your Cal Poly Water and Energy Sustainability Training TeamDr. Tryg Lundquist, Dr. Corinne Lehr and Shelley Blackwell

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meet racer and bbq chair, ben abattiBen Abatti III is a second year BRAE major, minoring in Ag Business, who jumped right into the middle of things this school year. Ben was elected ASABE Vice President in June of 2014 and thus assumed the position of BBQ Chair. Ben spends countless hours planning, organizing and carrying out all of the BRAE BBQs. Most people don’t know what all Ben is doing behind the scenes, but the time and dedication it takes is not for the faint of heart. Ben donates his time as the BBQ chair, not for the recognition, but for the betterment of the BRAE Department. Ben has also found himself very active in the Tractor Pull Club and Team. There is no lack of involvement and his leadership as ASABE Vice President shines bright in the Tractor Pull

Club. Ben is always ready to help, and shows up to many of the Tractor Pull work days and sanctioned pulls. Between his club involvement and school, Ben finds time to follow his true avocation, off-road racing. At a young age Ben’s father, Ben Abatti II, instilled the thrill and excitement of racing within his son. Ben grabbed the wheel of his father’s encouragement and the father and son race team known as Abatti Racing was born. In 2008, Ben began his racing career in Trophy Karts, a half-scaled replica of a high performance off-road race truck, and soon found himself standing on the first place podium. Ben eventually grew into a TrophyLite, an off-road truck powered by a 200 Hp Eco-Tec four-cylinder, where Ben’s style and skill impressed spectators and seasoned drivers alike. Ben competes in the Best in the Desert circuit where he enters five to six races per year. A race encompasses as much as 600 miles of rugged terrain that creates the ultimate test of man and machine. Ben’s constant drive to improve his skills brought him to the winner’s podium numerous times throughout the 2014 season and eventually earned himself the 2014 championship. At age 19, Ben has taught seasoned and experienced drivers a lesson or two. Now well into the 2015 season, Ben has opted to step back so his younger brother, Braden Abatti, can continue to show the competition what Abatti Racing is about. Ben plans race part of the Vegas to Reno race, switching off with his brother and father.

After he receives his degree, Ben plans to return to his home in the Imperial Valley where he plans to pursue his professional engineering license and start his own business. Ben has often been heard saying “Life is a one lap race…” and this is truly how Ben Abatti lives his life. Thank you Ben for all of your help! -Submitted Article and Photos

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announcements

Congratulations to AES for winning first place in Ag Olympics this past Saturday!

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announcements

BRAEASM

INTERNSHIPSCAREERS

MARCH 5th

26H.G. Makelim

Steve P. Rados, Inc.Preston Pipelines

Ag Industrial Manufacturing IncACME Engineering

Capay OrganicsJG BoswellJG Boswell

Flory IndustriesProvost and Pritchard

Deerpoint GroupDavis Machine Shop

Heinzen Manufacturing InternationalOrchard Machinery Corporation

HCL Machine WorksHCL Machine WorksReiter Berries

SensientParamount Citrus

Bowsmith IrrigationExeter Irrigation

CannonParamount FarmsParamount Farms

Vineyard Professional Services, IncRDO Water

Nichols FarmsLodi Irrigation

Berendsen Fluid Power

AES MEETINGMarch 4th 6PM

Building 8A Lab 1

Industry Panel Come ask your questions

to prepare for the career fair

Dinner will be servedDinner will be served

Building 8A Lab 1

CAREERFAIR

BRAE

8AM-12PM

Companies

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staff highlight: virgil threlkel

Staff Highlight: Virgil Threlkel

We are fortunate to have such a

caring and talented mentor on our staff like Virgil Threlkel. Virgil takes the time to work with students not only in the BRAE department, but in other departments on campus as well. He feels truly lucky to work on this campus and be part of the Cal Poly family. Virgil has a lot of pride in what our department offers students. “Our machines may be older, but we have so much more capability.” His two favorite machines are “Whitney” a Pratt&Whitney lathe machine and the CNC plasma cutter.

Virgil grew up always surrounded with tools and was quite the handy man. Even as a young kid he worked with sheet

metal, asbestos removal and insulating. After graduating high school in Colorado he went on to Airframe and Power Plant Trade School. He then moved to San Luis Obispo and worked for American Eagle Airlines for twenty years. We have been privileged to have Virgil on our staff for the past six years now. As the current “Instructional Support Technician,” he; works with the students while they’re building, welding and using any of the machinery, he polishes students’ skills, and he maintains supplies and labs to ensure safety. Virgil also manages a team of six student assistants who help him around the labs.

Virgil is a man of many talents, as he also helps out with the Quarter Scale Team quite a bit. Each year the team designs and builds a powerful tractor from the ground up (one-quarter the scale of a full size tractor). This tractor building team gives students the opportunity to participate in design, fabrication, event coordination and leadership roles. Students that participate on the team gain valuable experience that puts them ahead of their peers when entering the professional workforce. This is something that Virgil values and it is a reason why he enjoys helping the students so much. In his free time Virgil loves baseball. He coaches a youth team that his eleven-year-old son plays on. He also loves going to Giants games whenever possible. “They are the best team ever!” His daughter, who is now seventeen, is a dancer. He is highly involved with supporting her by helping fundraise, etc. He says he always seems to be at one fundraiser or another. In a week (March 6 & 7), he will be at the Women’s Shelter Fundraiser at Madonna Expo Center. His wife will be working the silent auction, and Virgil and his family will be in the fashion show and performing a dance skit! Seems like Virgil truly would do anything for his children. We are lucky to have a man as kind, hard working, and supportive as Virgil, working for the BRAE department.  

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Sun-day

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3-CAFES Student Council Meeting 5pm-Officer Meeting 6pm -Tractor Pull Meeting 7pm

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AES 6th Gener-al Meeting with Industry Panel 6pm

5BRAE Career Fair 8-12

AES BBQ at 11am

Quarter Scale Meet-ing in 8-122 at 5pm

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Tractor Pull Workday

8 9 10-CAFES Student Council Meeting 5pm-Officer Meeting 6pm -Tractor Pull Meeting 7pm

11 12AES BBQ at 11am

Quarter Scale Meet-ing in 8-122 at 5pm

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15 16 17-CAFES Student Council Meeting 5pm-Officer Meeting 6pm -Tractor Pull Meeting 7pm-Robotics Club Meeting 6pm

18 19AES BBQ at 11am

Quarter Scale Meet-ing in 8-122 at 5pm

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March Calendar

Calendar: https://connect.calpoly.edu/service/user/amaccarl@calpoly.edu/Calendar.htmlDept Cal: https://connect.calpoly.edu/service/user/amaccarl@calpoly.edu/BRAE%20Department%20Events.html