Team Alumni
Chase was a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Louisville. He was an initiating member of RCR's propulsion development. He went on to the be the Solid Engine Lead during the team's first season at the Spaceport America Cup. Solid Engine Lead (2018-2019)
Hunter was an Electrical and Computer Engineering student at the University of Louisville. Hunter's vast experience in drones, UAV's, and flight controls programming helped the Payload Team develop its first UAV: Pegasus. He took lead on the programming and flight coordination tasks that helped Pegasus take flight. Payload Team Member (2018-2019)
Tanner was a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Louisville. Tanner supported the Vehicle Team during the team's first year at the Spaceport America Cup. Vehicle Team Member (2018-2019)
Matthew graduated with a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Louisville. He served three full years on River City Rocketry serving as both Vehicle Lead and later Co-captain in separate seasons. Having always had a passion for rocketry, Matthew knew he had to be a part of River City Rocketry. He hopes to one day start a career in the aerospace industry doing what he loves. Co-captain (2018-2019), Vehicle Team Lead (2017-2018)
Kristian is an Electrical Engineering graduate who served three years on the team. Kristian developed the DAQ for the team's development liquid rocket engine. During his co-ops with Reynolds Consumer Products, he worked with the configuration and logic programming of PLC's as well as plant power distribution. His work with the DAQ developed expertise in small scale electronics and microcontroller programming. Payload Team Lead (2017-2018), DAQ Lead (2018-2019)
Alex is a Mechanical Engineering graduate of the J.B. Speed of Engineering. Alex has had three years of experience with the team. Alex has completed 3 internships with GE Aviation. Payload Team Lead (2018-2019)
Blaise is a Mechanical Engineering graduate from the J.B. Speed School of Engineering. He finished his third year on River City Rocketry as a member of the payload subteam. Vehicle Team Member, Payload Team Member (2018-2019)
Samuel is a Mechanical Engineering graduate from the University of Louisville. Samuel his second RCR competitive season developing the fluid system for the Liquid Engine team. His experience with additive manufacturing during his co-ops at the University of Louisville Rapid Prototyping Center was leveraged in manufacturing several components of the rocket. He has since joined SpaceX as an engineer post-graduation. Liquid Rocket Engine Team Member (2018-2019)
Paulo is a Mechanical Engineering graduate from the University of Louisville. In Paulo’s first year with River City Rocketry he focused on the UAV payload's mechanical design. Paulo has completed two co-op's with GE Aviation, as well as a co-op at Raytheon Missile Systems. Payload Team Member (2018-2019)
Justin is a Mechanical Engineering graduate from the University of Louisville's J.B. Speed School of Engineering. Through his 3 years of experience on the team as well as experience gained through 3 internships at SpaceX on the Dragon Propulsion group, he lead River City Rocketry’s efforts in designing the team’s first liquid bi-propellant rocket engine in the 2018-2019 season. Liquid Rocket Engine Lead (2018-2019)
Erik is a Mechanical Engineering graduate from the University of Louisville. Erik was on River City Rocketry for two years and worked with the liquid engine development team. In the past Erik has helped the team by using his CNC machining skills to machine custom parts for the team's payloads and structural components of the rocket. Payload Team Member (2017-2018), Liquid Engine Team Member (2018-2019)
Maria graduated from the J.B Speed School of Engineering with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. She completed three co-op rotations at GE Aviation where she worked as a member of the Airfoil Coating Department, Military Inlets & Exhaust, Turbomachinery Design, and CMC Stress and Life Management. Maria has started her career at GE Aviation as a member of the Edison Engineering Development Program. Co-captain (2017-2018), Payload Team Member (2016-2017)
Gabriel is a Mechanical Engineering graudate from the University of Louisville. He completed three co-ops at Preh IMA Automation. He hopes to use his experiences working in industry to begin a career in Aerospace Engineering. Co-captain (2017-2018)
Denny is a graduate from the J.B. Speed School of Engineering with a Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering and Computer Science. While acting as a web developer during his first season, he learned Electrical Engineering Fundamentals, working in tandem on the VDS flight-grade prototype. His previous internships include Heartland Payment System and Atria Senior Living Group, where he worked on enterprise software as a .Net Developer. VDS Team Member (2017-2018), Website Developer (2017-2018)
Jeff is a Mechanical Engineering graduate from the University of Louisville with a Masters in Business Administration. He was responsible for the mechanical redesign of the VDS to incorporate the system into 2018 vehicle. Jeff gained experience in engineering design and finite element analysis in support of the vehicle's nose cone design. Beyond RCR, Jeff co-oped at LG&E for all rotations. Jeff now studies Patent Law at Georgetown University. VDS Team Member, Vehicle Team Member (2017-2018)
Kevin is a Mechanical Engineering graduate from the University of Louisville’s J.B. Speed School of Engineering. Kevin competed on the team for four seasons. After contributing to his team’s second place overall victory over his second and third seasons, Kevin worked with the aircraft structures division at UPS airlines. Throughout the years of competition, Kevin has acquired important knowledge in design, fabrication, manufactural integration, and problem solving.
Ben is a graduate from the J.B. Speed School of Engineering with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He spent two seasons with River City Rocketry where he has served as AGSE electrical lead, VDS lead, and Co-captain. He is particularly interested in control theory, configurable logic, and microcontrollers and looks forward to employing these skills as a graduate. As of 2018, Ben is employed with Raytheon Missile Systems in Tuscon, AZ.
Wil is a Mechanical Engineering graduate from the J.B. Speed School of Engineering. Outside of the NASA student launch competition, Wil applied himself in the aerospace industry working as a Test Engineer at SpaceX and an Aircraft Structures Engineer at UPS airlines. Wil plans on pursuing a career in aerospace engineering. Payload Team Lead (2016-2017)
Evan is a Physics graduate from the University of Louisville with a specialization in applied physics. 2016-2017 was his second year on the team. Largely self-taught, Evan translated his analytical physics skills into real-world engineering problem solving skills in a previous internship at FirstBuild, and the additive manufacturing laboratory on campus. He looks forward to a career in aerospace engineering. Recovery Team Lead (2016-2017)
Alora is an Electrical and Computer Engineering graduate from J.B. Speed School of Engineering. She participated in River City Rocketry for 2 years serving on the VDS team. In 2018 she served as the VDS lead. Alora completed 2 co-ops at TechShot, developing payloads for the International Space Station. VDS Team Member (2016-2017), VDS Team Lead (2017-2018)
Kenny is a Electrical and Computer Engineering graduate from the University of Louisville. He worked on the hardware design of the Variable Drag System. He helped use his knowledge and interest in power electronics and circuit design to help the VDS and telemetry design in previous seasons. Kenny now works as a Simulation & Software Engineer at Gulfstream Aerospace in Savannah, GA.
Emily is a 2016 MEng graduate of Mechanical Engineering. She served four seasons with River City Rocketry. After helping the team take home the safety award and 2nd place during the 13-14 season, she led the team in winning the award for the next 2 seasons. After graduation, Emily began her professional career with Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, Arizona, as a Mechanical Engineer. Team Captain, Integration Lead, Educational Engagement Lead, Safety Officer
Gregg is a 2015 graduate of Mechanical Engineering from the J.B. Speed School of Engineering. Passionate for everything aerospace, he spent his last three years at the university devoted to the team and led River City Rocketry to 3rd and 2nd place finishes respectively while captain. He is humbled by the sacrifices made by those who predate him in the aerospace industry, and hopes to one day enhance the future of space exploration. Team Captain, Integration Lead, Vehicle Design Lead
Nick founded University of Louisville's NASA University Student Launch Initiative program, now known as River City Rocketry. He captained from 2011 to 2013, leading RCR to earning the "Best New Team" and "Best Vehicle Design" awards and placing among the top 5 during their first 2 seasons. In 2013, he interned at Marshall Space Flight Center and graduated his Master's in Mechanical Engineering. He then worked for Blue Origin on reusable suborbital & suborbital space systems. Founder, Captain
Kara graduated in 2014 with her MEng in Industrial Engineering. Her masters project focused on analyzing the mechanical properties of 3D-printed HY-100 steel alloy parts, which had undergone post-processing heat treatments. In her off time, Kara enjoys traveling and previously helped create an organization called Aegean Refugee Aid to help Syrian and Iraqi refugees living in the Aegean region of Turkey. Outreach Coordinator and Safety Officer