Alan (Al) Dausman is a native of New Paris, a small town in northern Indiana, where he earned money for college by working with his father in the plumbing/heating/well drilling business.  He had a knack for math, so his Dad encouraged him to choose college to prevent having “dirty hands like me.”  He began his college career at a small college in northeast Indiana now known as Trine University where he obtained his bachelor’s degree.  Al moved on to pursue his master’s degree, with a focus in structural engineering, at Purdue University in 1978, where he was a graduate teaching assistant for Dr. Robert Lee.

Al’s first engineering position was as a structural engineer with Gilbert/Commonwealth in Jackson, MI.  Unfortunately, after a mere 16 weeks into that position, the company lost a large project forcing him to seek employment again.  Al ventured down the road to Ann Arbor, Michigan and began his 38 plus year career with Bechtel Corp.  He has enjoyed his time at Bechtel, working on varied project assignments such as nuclear power, chemical plants, demilitarization plants, and nuclear waste projects.  Having progressed through various position responsibilities including structural engineer, resident engineer, and now project engineer, Al currently serves as the Bechtel Management Representative to Purdue University.  Al maintains a great deal of satisfaction in this role, as it permits him to visit Purdue to recruit the next generation of engineers and leaders.  His career has afforded him the opportunity to work in various locations across the country including Michigan, Iowa, Texas, twice to Tennessee, and twice to Maryland.  It was while working in Texas that he met his wife of 29 years, Doris.

Al is a registered Professional Engineer in nine states.  He earned an MBA from the University of Michigan and received an Outstanding Alumni Award from Trine University.

Outside of work, Al enjoys running, biking, and reading. He holds a Grade B course measurement credential from the International Association of Athletics Federation. He is involved with Northeast Tennessee Purdue Alumni Club, serves on the Lyles School of Civil Engineering Advisory Council, and is a member of the Trine University Alumni board.

For his next big career step, Al is looking forward to retirement within the year.