ISPE Boston Area Chapter Product Show

On September 26, 2018, ACE joined the Boston Area Chapter of the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) at its 27th annual Product Show. The event took place at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA, as it has for more than 12 years, and covered both sides of the stadium’s club level. More than 2,200 attendees heard from featured speakers and attended educational sessions while spending time with 375+ top-tier vendors and service providers, including ACE and Rockwell Automation. Great food was served throughout the day, including the well-known jumbo shrimp cocktail in the early afternoon. The event wrapped-up with its famous after party at The Optum Field Lounge. Attendees had the opportunity to unwind, mingle, and attempt to kick a field goal – one 50-yarder was made! Our thanks go out to ISPE Boston for inviting ACE to participate in this event. We look forward to next year!

UHD PREP Day

On July 12, 2018, the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) hosted its annual Houston Pre-Freshmen Enrichment Program (PREP) Engineering Day presented by the College of Sciences & Technology. Houston PREP is for middle and high school students interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

The day started with a welcome message at the auditorium before an audience of 200 high school students and volunteers. Ms. Sangeeta Gad, the director of Houston PREP and a Math faculty member at UHD, recognized all sponsors and participants, including ACE.

Later that morning, ACE’s Steve Cronauer, Cedrick Crosby, George Ikonomou, and Frank Reesey presented two identical sessions to an audience of approximately 40 high school students total. Each session started with a presentation by George that introduced process control and a career as a process control engineer. George’s presentation was followed by two concurrent hands-on sessions, one led by Frank and the other by Cedrick, who was assisted by Steve. Frank showed a simulated ABB system, while Cedrick ran a demo of a Rockwell Automation system. The students received a quick overview of each system and then participated in a few hands-on exercises that involved filling and emptying the tanks on the simulated PLC and HMIs. ACE was glad to see that the students eagerly enjoyed the exercises.

Our thanks go out to UHD and Houston PREP for inviting us to participate in and sponsor this wonderful event.

Austin Super and Sprint Weekend

On May 19, 2018, two engineers from ACE’s Gulf Coast office – Cedrick Crosby and Andrew Edmondson – along with a friend participated in the Austin Super and Sprint Weekend in Austin, Texas. The group competed in the Spartan Super, one of three main races offered at this mud run. Rated as the second most difficult course of the weekend, it is advertised as being about 8 miles. However, with various obstacles peppered along the rugged terrain that winds through the wilderness of Central Texas, it actually ends up being closer to 9.5. Vaulting over eight foot walls, crawling under barbed wire, climbing rope, and traversing muddy river crossings were just some of the obstacles they managed to conquer in the blazing Texas heat. Yet, the views at the peaks and the sweet taste of victory at the finish line made it all worthwhile.