Ellen Marie Vessel

***-* ********* **** • North Augusta, SC, 29841 • 803-***-**** • abih63@r.postjobfree.com

MATERIALS ENGINEER – OPERATIONS SUPPORT – TRAINING

Professional with government experience offering 24+ years experience in materials analysis. Safety focused. Results

oriented. Innovative and creative while consistently meeting destructive testing milestones on gas transfer systems.

EDUCATION

University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC

Masters of Earth and Environmental Resource Management, 2002

Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA

Masters of Engineering, Materials Science, 1983

Thesis: “Characterization of Organotin Antifouling Paints by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive

X-ray Analysis”

Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA

Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry, 1979

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

SAVANNAH RIVER NUCLEAR SOLUTIONS / WASHINGTON GROUP (5/20/ 2004 – Present)

Lead Engineer, Metallurgical Laboratory

• Restored capabilities, that were lost when Mound Metallurgical Laboratory shut down, to examine gas

transfer reservoir

• Developed effective techniques for destructive testing of gas transfer reservoir to support future design

activities.

• Directed activities of laboratory analysts supporting reservoir surveillance

• Interfaced with management, DOE and Los Alamos National Laboratory to present results of reservoir

testing.

• Developed and implemented laboratory procedures

• Developed scope and implemented acquisition and installation of scanning electron microscope in laboratory

glove box system.

• Mentored junior engineers

• Trained technical analysts to use the scanning electron microscope

• Performed destructive testing on Life Storage Program and Reservoir Surveillance Operations gas transfer

reservoirs

• Planned and organized fire extinguisher training for personnel working in the metallurgical laboratory

• Evaluated and implemented changes to procedures to ensure safe working conditions during the performance

of standard operating procedures

• Wrote Metallurgical Reports for examination of gas transfer reservoirs

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY (08/2008 – 08/2009)

Adjunct Professor

• Instructor - Introduction to Engineering

• Instructor - Introduction to Engineering Economics

• Prepared lesson plans

• Evaluated student knowledge

• Interfaced with Dean and Administrators at South Carolina State University

WASHINGTON GROUP / WESTINGHOUSE SAVANNAH RIVER COMPANY (5/22/1989 – 5/20/ 2004)

Principal Engineer

• Directed activities of laboratory analysts and Equipment Engineering technicians

• Directed activities for 3-shift operation of technical analysts performing a material study on Life Storage

Program reservoirs that lead to change in material for the reservoirs.

• Tutored technical analysts to prepare them for core competency examinations in chemistry and math

• Planned and organized in-service inspections on underground waste transfer piping for Waste Management

Organization.

• Empowered Waste Management operators to effectively perform inspections by providing classroom and in-

field training on their cathodic protection systems

• Developed and implemented a maintenance program for cathodic protection systems on underground storage

tanks at SRS gas stations.

• Performed non-destructive testing on plant equipment

• Wrote metallurgical reports for destructive testing of Life Storage Program reservoirs

• Interfaced with former analysts from Mound metallurgical Laboratory to transfer autoradiography techniques

to SRS

DUPONT SAVANNAH RIVER COMPANY (8/15/1983 – 12/12/1987)

Metallurgical Engineer

• Directed activities of Equipment Engineering technicians

• Performed in-service inspections on reactor tanks and supporting systems

• Performed non-destructive testing on plant equipment

• Performed failure analyses

• Provided corrosion control support

• Provided material recommendations

CORE COMPETENCIES

Leadership

• Served as High School Coordinator for Engineering College Night (1994 and 1995)

• Served as Secretary for Central Savannah River Chapter of ASNT (1993)

• Served as Secretary for Savannah River Chapter of ASM (1990)

• Directed activities of laboratory analysts and junior engineers

Communication

• Interfaced with Maintenance personnel on task requirements for sample preparation in the

metallurgical laboratory

• Provided review of work activities to DOE and Design Agencies via PowerPoint presentations

Teamwork

• Received George Westinghouse Award for participating team member in non-destructive

examination of waste drums.

Business Results

• Developed specifications for new scanning electron microscope to improve technical evaluation of

gas transfer reservoirs.

• Interface with vendors for SEM system upgrades and product updates to enhance the overall

efficiency of laboratory examinations

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

Common Competencies - Planning / Organizational skills

• Prepared lesson plans

• Prioritized and scheduled reservoirs for examination

R &D Scientific – Weapon Research

• Developed matrix to test performance of brazer for hydraulic burst tester

• Developed test matrix to identify improved etchant for pinch weld metallurgical examination

• Developed sample preparation techniques for scanning electron microscopy

Common Competencies – Customer Focus

• Interfaced with Design Agency to ensure reservoir examination procedures align with gas transfer

requirement documents

Common Competencies – Disciplined Operations

• Compiled documentation to perform AHA on procedures to ensure hazards are mitigated or

minimized

• Participated in pre-job briefings

• Attended safety and conduct of operations meetings

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