Speakers

Dr Mullins is a professional educator. She retired from Texas A&M University in 2018 after teaching senior-level Biochemistry courses at Texas A&M University for 20 years.

The Museum of the American G.I. is home to one of the finest collections in the US of restored, running WWI, WWII and later era military vehicles including a WWI FT-17 tank, WWII Sherman tanks, M18 Hellcats and various other tanks as well as historic uniforms and equipment used by the American Serviceman and women. What really makes this museum unique is its ability to exhibit the vehicles and weapons in action. We restore and maintain the equipment so the public can hear and see the equipment move under its own power. All of the vehicles and equipment on display are fully restored and functional.

The mission of the museum is to increase the public’s appreciation of the American Servicemen and women from WWI to the present through educational programs, static and living history displays as well as historical re-enactments.

JOHN NIELSEN-GAMMON is a Regents Professor at Texas A&M University, the Director of the Southern Regional Climate Center, and the Texas State Climatologist.  Dr. Nielsen-Gammon grew up in Northern California and went to school in Massachusetts, receiving a Ph.D. from MIT in 1990. Dr. Nielsen-Gammon joined the faculty of Texas A&M University in 1991 and was appointed Texas State Climatologist by then-Governor George W. Bush in 2000.

 

ROBERT F. HOLZWEISS — After spending his formative years in Peekskill, New York, Robert earned his BA in American History from St. Bonaventure University in 1990 and an MA in American History from Texas A&M University in 1992.  Dr. Holzweiss completed his PhD. in American history at Texas A&M University in May 2001 with a specialization in business and economic history and 20th Century America.  His dissertation, examines the role of politics in the Penn Central Railroad bankruptcy and the creation of the Consolidated Railroad Company better known as Conrail. 

During graduate school, Dr. Holzweiss interned for three summers at the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum in Baltimore, Maryland where he served as an archival and curatorial assistant.  He started his career in the archives at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in June 1996 and has occupied positions of progressively greater responsibility for more almost 30 years.  In August 2014, Dr. Holzweiss was promoted to Deputy Director.

Since 2009, he has served as president of the Locomotive & Railway Historical Society and a founding member of the Penn Central Railroad Historical Society.  He is also a Visiting Adjunct Professor in the Department of History at Texas A&M University and in the Department of International Affairs at the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University.  He has served as a consultant on corporate and private records management projects and an expert witness for the U.S. Department of Justice.  He resides in Bryan, Texas and has been married to Dr. Peggy (Philpot) for twenty-six years and has two sons, Jakob (23) and Nicholas (21).

Jim was appointment as Honorary Consul for the Republic of Poland in Texas.  Dr. Jim Mazurkiewicz (Ma-zur-kay-veech) is the Leadership Program Director for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Texas A&M University Professor in the Department of Agriculture Leadership, Education & Communications.   Dr. Mazurkiewicz is responsible for the Governor Dolph Briscoe Jr. Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership (TALL) Program, the San Antonio Livestock Exposition - Leadership Extension (SALE-LE) Program and International Extension Programs. He has been in this position since April 1, 1998, and County Extension Agent for 20 years in Guadalupe, Knox, Ector and Brazos Counties prior.  

Dr. Steve Putna a pioneering figure in the semiconductor industry, has been appointed as the inaugural director of the Texas A&M Semiconductor Institute, commencing his role on July 1, 2024. This appointment signifies a major advancement in The Texas A&M University System's dedication to semiconductor research, development, workforce training, and industry collaboration.

Dr. Putna's extensive career spans over 25 years, primarily at Intel Corporation, where he honed his semiconductor manufacturing and supply chain management expertise. His diverse experience encompasses technical and financial responsibilities, leading large teams, and driving innovative research projects from concept to implementation. His profound industry knowledge and leadership qualities make him the ideal candidate to head the newly established Texas A&M Semiconductor Institute. 

The Texas A&M Semiconductor Institute emerged in response to the CHIPS and Science Act legislation at both federal and state levels. The Institute aims to propel the growth and competitiveness of the semiconductor industry by focusing on advanced semiconductor manufacturing technology and promoting workforce development. It will serve as a multidisciplinary research organization and a collaborative hub for academic researchers, industry leaders, and government partners to tackle complex semiconductor manufacturing challenges. 

Under Dr. Putna's strategic vision, the Institute will focus on conducting cutting-edge research, collaborating with industry partners, securing federal and state funding, and offering education and training programs to cultivate the next generation of the semiconductor workforce. Additionally, it will establish a secure semiconductor fabrication capability to support national defense needs and address the critical requirement for U.S. leadership and security in semiconductor manufacturing. 

Dr. Putna holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. His academic background, combined with his professional experience, equips him with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead the Texas A&M Semiconductor Institute to a position of global prominence, ultimately strengthening the domestic semiconductor ecosystem.