Garima Bhatia

Garima Bhatia works as a Senior MBSE Engineer at Ford Motor Company. She plays a key role in Ford’s transition from a document-centric to a model-centric engineering approach to product development. Her primary focus is to develop architectural patterns for the development of SysML models, specifically with a focus on models for mechanical systems. Her responsibilities include the development of various libraries, integrated systems modeling, including system structure, behavior, and requirements modeling, and the generation of system-level DFMEAs. She also assists in the translation of text-based requirements to mathematically represented, constraint-based requirements. Additionally, she assists in the integration of mechanical and software systems models and with the documentation of developed methods.

Garima holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from India, a M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Iowa State University, and a PhD in Systems Engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Her doctoral research focused on the development of a mathematical framework for the establishment of organizational architectures for systems engineers. Previously, she has worked on several NASA projects with a focus on MBSE. She has also been active as a student in INCOSE and AIAA. Her accomplishments include receiving the Amelia Earhart Fellowship in 2018, the best student in Industrial & Systems Engineering at UAH for the year 2017, and being on the Dean’s list at UAH for the years 2016 through 2021.

The importance of effective systems engineering in the design of complex engineered systems cannot be understated. As vice president/president elect, one of my primary objectives will be to bring practitioners and academics alike to share their ideas with the community. I will strive to enrich the current practice of systems engineering within our chapter and invigorate its value to our respective enterprises. I believe that the underlying theory of systems engineering is extremely important as well as further enhancement of tools for improved practice. This can be facilitated by taking into consideration the perspectives of both academics, and practitioners from government and industry. I aim to leverage my professional network with individuals from various backgrounds to promote frequent information-sharing sessions with INCOSE members as well as to promote the value of systems engineering to other disciplinary individuals. I will actively assist the current and past presidents in promoting the INCOSE vision within the community by increasing engagement through regular events. I believe that improving awareness regarding the latest tools, methods, processes, and theoretical research is paramount in facilitating improved decision making for the design of better complex systems, and that will be the recurring theme during my tenure, if I am elected. Thank you for your support!

Steve Cash

Stephen Cash works as a Principal Systems Engineer at Vitech and provides consulting and training support for Vitech customers. Stephen has spent 25+ years developing his systems engineering skills through experiential learning. While his experience is broad, he has spent the majority of that time in the automotive sector supporting the development of engine controls, transmission controls, suspension controls, and lithium-ion batteries. Stephen's roles over the years have ranged from electrical engineer to project lead to subject matter expert to manager. Stephen holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Marquette University.

Stephen is a Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) through the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE). Stephen has held the position of Academia Chair on the board of the Chicagoland Chapter of INCOSE and graduated from the INCOSE Institute for Technical Leadership.

 My vision is that systems engineering becomes a normal state of practice for all engineering organizations. I do not mean to insinuate that all organizations must execute all aspect of systems engineering all the time. I think they need to have a wholistic view of what they are trying to accomplish and realize that some or all of the aspects of systems engineering can help them in creating an efficient engineering organization. Each organization should tailor their efforts to achieve their goals.

I see the Michigan Chapter of INCOSE performing the role as a connection point for individuals, corporations, and experts where we offer an environment to learn, collaborate and instruct on systems engineering. We are here to better the systems engineering capabilities for all involved. The goal is to create an environment of systems engineering excellence.