2024 - 2025 SHPE Houston Board of Directors
Executive Board
President - Miguel Arias
Miguel Arias is a Flight Controller at NASA JSC through Barrios Technology. He holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Mechanical and Civil Engineering from the University of Houston. Miguel’s involvement with SHPE began in 2016, when a friend’s invitation to a general meeting at SHPE UH introduced him to not just other members or friends, but a welcoming and supportive Familia.
From that moment and through his involvement with SHPE UH, he learned what SHPE stood for and was inspired to contribute further. Instilled with the belief to pursue his dreams and embrace risks, recognizing that life is happening in the present, he decided to challenge himself with his involvement with the chapter in order to help the members have an everlasting impact within the SHPE familia.
Miguel’s journey has come a long way in SHPE UH from becoming the Athletic Chair, Unsung Hero Recipient, Social Chair, and formerly the Vice President Internal. Along with his executive board team, he inspired over 120 students to attend the 2019 SHPE National Convention, which was an increase in comparison to the previous year’s number of 89 attendees. He received the SHPE UH Executive Board Most Collaborative Award for his leadership in helping others in need through his board team as well as for his contributions in helping create collaborations with over 20 STEM related organizations.
His first leadership role with SHPE Houston Professional was Student Affairs Coordinator from 2020 to 2022, in which he supported the creation and execution of the Southeast Bootcamp in 2020-2021 and the Sub-Regional Retreat in 2021 for Region 5 helping over 200 students be prepared for the SHPE National Convention and RLDC. He continued to serve the SHPE community as Secretary from 2022 to 2024, and with over nine years of commitment to SHPE, he currently holds the position of President of the SHPE Houston Professional Chapter.
Miguel Arias is a Flight Controller at NASA JSC through Barrios Technology. He holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Mechanical and Civil Engineering from the University of Houston. Miguel’s involvement with SHPE began in 2016, when a friend’s invitation to a general meeting at SHPE UH introduced him to not just other members or friends, but a welcoming and supportive Familia.
From that moment and through his involvement with SHPE UH, he learned what SHPE stood for and was inspired to contribute further. Instilled with the belief to pursue his dreams and embrace risks, recognizing that life is happening in the present, he decided to challenge himself with his involvement with the chapter in order to help the members have an everlasting impact within the SHPE familia.
Miguel’s journey has come a long way in SHPE UH from becoming the Athletic Chair, Unsung Hero Recipient, Social Chair, and formerly the Vice President Internal. Along with his executive board team, he inspired over 120 students to attend the 2019 SHPE National Convention, which was an increase in comparison to the previous year’s number of 89 attendees. He received the SHPE UH Executive Board Most Collaborative Award for his leadership in helping others in need through his board team as well as for his contributions in helping create collaborations with over 20 STEM related organizations.
His first leadership role with SHPE Houston Professional was Student Affairs Coordinator from 2020 to 2022, in which he supported the creation and execution of the Southeast Bootcamp in 2020-2021 and the Sub-Regional Retreat in 2021 for Region 5 helping over 200 students be prepared for the SHPE National Convention and RLDC. He continued to serve the SHPE community as Secretary from 2022 to 2024, and with over nine years of commitment to SHPE, he currently holds the position of President of the SHPE Houston Professional Chapter.
Vice-President - Internal - Joshua Zavala
Joshua is a native Houstonian and graduated from the University of Houston in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in Computers and Embedded Systems. Since a young age he enjoyed playing video games and grew fascinated with the idea of one day creating a game of his own. Taking a step to realize that idea, he took a game creation course in high school where he learned his first programming language, Java. This then led him to pursue an engineering degree where he could hone his programming skills and expand his horizons beyond just gaming. After graduating he began his career as an IT Consultant mainly focusing on web development.
Throughout his career, Joshua, had a newfound passion for helping those around him through his work, creating new solutions to help streamline others’ processes and make their lives easier. With this, Joshua has taken to helping outside of work and giving back to the community through SHPE. In his spare time, Joshua enjoys playing video games, watching anime, and exercising!
Joshua is a native Houstonian and graduated from the University of Houston in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in Computers and Embedded Systems. Since a young age he enjoyed playing video games and grew fascinated with the idea of one day creating a game of his own. Taking a step to realize that idea, he took a game creation course in high school where he learned his first programming language, Java. This then led him to pursue an engineering degree where he could hone his programming skills and expand his horizons beyond just gaming. After graduating he began his career as an IT Consultant mainly focusing on web development.
Throughout his career, Joshua, had a newfound passion for helping those around him through his work, creating new solutions to help streamline others’ processes and make their lives easier. With this, Joshua has taken to helping outside of work and giving back to the community through SHPE. In his spare time, Joshua enjoys playing video games, watching anime, and exercising!
Vice-President - External - Tiffany Bauman
Tiffany currently works as a Strategy Advisor for ExxonMobil. She graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rice University in May 2020. At Rice, she served as Socials Chair, Treasurer, External Vice President, and President for SHPE Rice. She initially joined SHPE her freshman year to meet other Hispanic students at Rice. She was immediately inspired by SHPE’s mission to empower the Hispanic community in STEM and decided to become more involved. SHPE has given her opportunities she couldn’t have even dreamed of and most importantly, a supportive Familia, and she hopes to continue giving back to the community so she can help others have the same opportunities she had.
Tiffany currently works as a Strategy Advisor for ExxonMobil. She graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rice University in May 2020. At Rice, she served as Socials Chair, Treasurer, External Vice President, and President for SHPE Rice. She initially joined SHPE her freshman year to meet other Hispanic students at Rice. She was immediately inspired by SHPE’s mission to empower the Hispanic community in STEM and decided to become more involved. SHPE has given her opportunities she couldn’t have even dreamed of and most importantly, a supportive Familia, and she hopes to continue giving back to the community so she can help others have the same opportunities she had.
Treasurer - Maria di Bonaventura
Maria Di Bonaventura is a subsea operations engineer at BP where she has been working for 6 years. She has held multiple roles as a process engineer supporting offshore assets in Trinidad and Gulf of Mexico. She attended the University of Florida until 2013 where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Materials Engineering and in 2017, she earned her Master's of Science in Chemical Engineering from Ohio University. Before being involved in SHPE Houston Professional, she was the SHPE Regional Graduate Representative and National Graduate Representative earning her a seat the SHPE Board of Directors. During her spare time, Maria likes to travel, read, play tennis and try out new restaurants around Houston.
Maria Di Bonaventura is a subsea operations engineer at BP where she has been working for 6 years. She has held multiple roles as a process engineer supporting offshore assets in Trinidad and Gulf of Mexico. She attended the University of Florida until 2013 where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Materials Engineering and in 2017, she earned her Master's of Science in Chemical Engineering from Ohio University. Before being involved in SHPE Houston Professional, she was the SHPE Regional Graduate Representative and National Graduate Representative earning her a seat the SHPE Board of Directors. During her spare time, Maria likes to travel, read, play tennis and try out new restaurants around Houston.
Secretary - Vanessa Mendoza
Vanessa Mendoza is from Highlands, TX and moved to Houston for college. She recently graduated from Rice University in May 2024 with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. She is now working as a process engineer for Honeywell as part of a rotational program and is excited to learn and be challenged as she starts off her career.
Vanessa was involved with SHPE Rice the past four years, establishing a SHPE Jr. chapter and contributing to SHPE Rice's growth as president and later on as their regional representative. She has seen the impact that SHPE has had on high school and university students and, as part of this chapter, aims to carry out SHPE's mission of empowering the Hispanic community. In her free time, she likes to exercise, play the trumpet, volunteer, and make coffee.
Vanessa Mendoza is from Highlands, TX and moved to Houston for college. She recently graduated from Rice University in May 2024 with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. She is now working as a process engineer for Honeywell as part of a rotational program and is excited to learn and be challenged as she starts off her career.
Vanessa was involved with SHPE Rice the past four years, establishing a SHPE Jr. chapter and contributing to SHPE Rice's growth as president and later on as their regional representative. She has seen the impact that SHPE has had on high school and university students and, as part of this chapter, aims to carry out SHPE's mission of empowering the Hispanic community. In her free time, she likes to exercise, play the trumpet, volunteer, and make coffee.
Board of Directors
Director of Student Affairs - Nicolas Libreros
Nicolas Libreros is a Colombian engineer new to Houston, moving here from Florida. He graduated in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Central Florida in May 2023. He’s currently a Design Engineer on the payloads team at Axiom Space.
He has been involved with SHPE since 2019 as a freshman. As a sophomore, he became the executive vice president’s coordinator, where he created SHPE UCF’s YouTube channel. The following year, he served as the MentorSHPE director for over 100 mentees/mentors. His senior year, he was the SHPE UCF President for over 350 students, achieving awards for the club such as the SHPE Blue Chip award, and best Student Organization of UCF.
He’s now serving as Student Affairs Director for SHPE Houston Professional to get back to helping out students, with a focus on connecting local students to our amazing familia!
Nicolas Libreros is a Colombian engineer new to Houston, moving here from Florida. He graduated in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Central Florida in May 2023. He’s currently a Design Engineer on the payloads team at Axiom Space.
He has been involved with SHPE since 2019 as a freshman. As a sophomore, he became the executive vice president’s coordinator, where he created SHPE UCF’s YouTube channel. The following year, he served as the MentorSHPE director for over 100 mentees/mentors. His senior year, he was the SHPE UCF President for over 350 students, achieving awards for the club such as the SHPE Blue Chip award, and best Student Organization of UCF.
He’s now serving as Student Affairs Director for SHPE Houston Professional to get back to helping out students, with a focus on connecting local students to our amazing familia!
Director of Membership - Stephanie Organista
Stephanie Organista is a Houston native born to immigrant parents from Mexico. She graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at the University of Houston, this past May, becoming the first in her family to receive a bachelor’s degree. She currently works as a Software Consultant at Enertia Software, a small software company that produces software for upstream oil and gas companies.
She has been involved with SHPE for over 3 years. She held the SHPE Jr. position at the University of Houston for 2021-2022 and proudly won the Blue Heart Award. She also founded a local SHPE Jr. chapter at her graduating high school, where minorities encompass over 96.5% of enrollment and over 86% classify as economically disadvantaged. She was also a past SHPEtina and SHPE National scholarship recipient.
Stephanie Organista is a Houston native born to immigrant parents from Mexico. She graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at the University of Houston, this past May, becoming the first in her family to receive a bachelor’s degree. She currently works as a Software Consultant at Enertia Software, a small software company that produces software for upstream oil and gas companies.
She has been involved with SHPE for over 3 years. She held the SHPE Jr. position at the University of Houston for 2021-2022 and proudly won the Blue Heart Award. She also founded a local SHPE Jr. chapter at her graduating high school, where minorities encompass over 96.5% of enrollment and over 86% classify as economically disadvantaged. She was also a past SHPEtina and SHPE National scholarship recipient.
Director of Professional Development - Frankie Delgado
Frankie Delgado is currently an Associate Director of Network Analytics in Verizon's Artificial Intelligence & Data organization where he leads a team of data analysts & data scientists to deliver various data solutions (ML models, data visualization, etc) to network engineering and operations teams. He has been with Verizon for 13 years and came in through their Leadership Development Program. Frankie has a B.E. in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in Telecommunication from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, an M.S. in Engineering Management from Stevens Institute of Technology, and is Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certified. He was born and raised in NY to Dominican parents, is married to a native Houstonian, and has two daughters and a boxer pup.
Frankie Delgado is currently an Associate Director of Network Analytics in Verizon's Artificial Intelligence & Data organization where he leads a team of data analysts & data scientists to deliver various data solutions (ML models, data visualization, etc) to network engineering and operations teams. He has been with Verizon for 13 years and came in through their Leadership Development Program. Frankie has a B.E. in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in Telecommunication from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, an M.S. in Engineering Management from Stevens Institute of Technology, and is Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certified. He was born and raised in NY to Dominican parents, is married to a native Houstonian, and has two daughters and a boxer pup.
Director of Outreach - Rafael Campos
Rafael Campos is an independent Technology Consultant with 14 years of experience in the MSP industry as a network engineer and solutions architect. Originally from El Salvador, Rafael has been a part of the Houston community since 2003. Driven by his passion for technology, Rafael earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering with a minor in Computer Science from the University of Houston in 2018. After graduating, Rafael became a professional member of IEEE and later joined SHPE Houston, where he serves on the professional board as the Outreach Director for two consecutive years.
Through his years developing solutions for local businesses, Rafael cultivated a commitment to supporting STEM education and entrepreneurship within the Hispanic community in Houston. He actively collaborates with various non-profit organizations to promote the development of STEMS, hard skills and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Rafael Campos is an independent Technology Consultant with 14 years of experience in the MSP industry as a network engineer and solutions architect. Originally from El Salvador, Rafael has been a part of the Houston community since 2003. Driven by his passion for technology, Rafael earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering with a minor in Computer Science from the University of Houston in 2018. After graduating, Rafael became a professional member of IEEE and later joined SHPE Houston, where he serves on the professional board as the Outreach Director for two consecutive years.
Through his years developing solutions for local businesses, Rafael cultivated a commitment to supporting STEM education and entrepreneurship within the Hispanic community in Houston. He actively collaborates with various non-profit organizations to promote the development of STEMS, hard skills and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Director of Scholarships - Zaira Resendez
Zaira Resendez is a Structural Engineer at Black & Veatch who graduated from Texas A&M University - Kingsville in 2019 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. Zaira was part of SHPE Kingsville from 2017 to 2019, and has been part of SHPE Houston since 2021. Here in SHPE Houston, Zaira has been involved with the scholarships committee for the past two years and is excited to lead the committee this year. In her free time, she enjoys going on walks with her son and cherishing moments with her family.
Zaira Resendez is a Structural Engineer at Black & Veatch who graduated from Texas A&M University - Kingsville in 2019 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. Zaira was part of SHPE Kingsville from 2017 to 2019, and has been part of SHPE Houston since 2021. Here in SHPE Houston, Zaira has been involved with the scholarships committee for the past two years and is excited to lead the committee this year. In her free time, she enjoys going on walks with her son and cherishing moments with her family.
Director of Public Relations - Antonio Olmos
Antonio Olmos is currently in his Houston era. He was born in southern California and raised in Las Vegas. He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 2018 to 2023 and graduated with his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. During this time, he was introduced to Houston and its thriving space industry through four internships. Finally, he has returned to Houston and started in July 2023 as an Tools & Flight Support Equipment Engineer for Axiom Space, developing Extravehicular Activity technology for NASA.
SHPE was fundamental to Antonio’s college experience. As a first-generation student, he turned to SHPE to navigate the challenges of college and learn about professionalism. He was introduced to SHPE through an early move-in program hosted by the minority in engineering program. The value of familia was immediately apparent and he was welcomed into the community that would support him for the next five years. Antonio held positions as High School Outreach Chair, Academic Director, Secretary, and Roundtable Secretary. With his three executive boards and chapter, SHPE UIUC won three consecutive National Chapter Awards. However, his proudest accomplishment was in his last position as High School Outreach Chair where he organized a 3-day High School Visitation program for accepted seniors to visit the university. This was his passing of the torch to the next generation of Hispanics in STEM because he informed them of what college is like, what kind of resources exist, and how to find their communities; all of which was information that he did not know as a high schooler. This HSV program resulted in 90.3% of the attendees choosing to attend UIUC for their undergraduate degrees.
The SHPE Houston professional chapter is a new era for Antonio but has similarities to how he felt when he first joined the UIUC student chapter. Familia is still the most prominent value, and the chapter is incredibly welcoming. Antonio hopes to create and engage in opportunities to develop professionalism for our members and foster a positive relationship within our Houston community.
Antonio Olmos is currently in his Houston era. He was born in southern California and raised in Las Vegas. He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 2018 to 2023 and graduated with his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. During this time, he was introduced to Houston and its thriving space industry through four internships. Finally, he has returned to Houston and started in July 2023 as an Tools & Flight Support Equipment Engineer for Axiom Space, developing Extravehicular Activity technology for NASA.
SHPE was fundamental to Antonio’s college experience. As a first-generation student, he turned to SHPE to navigate the challenges of college and learn about professionalism. He was introduced to SHPE through an early move-in program hosted by the minority in engineering program. The value of familia was immediately apparent and he was welcomed into the community that would support him for the next five years. Antonio held positions as High School Outreach Chair, Academic Director, Secretary, and Roundtable Secretary. With his three executive boards and chapter, SHPE UIUC won three consecutive National Chapter Awards. However, his proudest accomplishment was in his last position as High School Outreach Chair where he organized a 3-day High School Visitation program for accepted seniors to visit the university. This was his passing of the torch to the next generation of Hispanics in STEM because he informed them of what college is like, what kind of resources exist, and how to find their communities; all of which was information that he did not know as a high schooler. This HSV program resulted in 90.3% of the attendees choosing to attend UIUC for their undergraduate degrees.
The SHPE Houston professional chapter is a new era for Antonio but has similarities to how he felt when he first joined the UIUC student chapter. Familia is still the most prominent value, and the chapter is incredibly welcoming. Antonio hopes to create and engage in opportunities to develop professionalism for our members and foster a positive relationship within our Houston community.
Director of Special Projects - Maria di Bonaventura
Olga Perone was born and raised in the outskirts of Sao Paulo, Brazil. She moved to Tampa, FL in 2013 with her parents, where she graduated high school and obtained a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of South Florida (Go Bulls!). She worked at 3M as an Environment, Health & Safety Engineer upon graduating in 2019. In 2022, she joined the biofuels industry with Chevron where she worked with sustainability reporting and environmental issues. Currently, she works as a Business Development Analyst helping bring in new biofeedstock opportunities for the company.
Through her work, Olga had the chance to live in Minnesota, Alabama, Iowa and now Texas. She is fluent in Portuguese and English and has a strong command of Spanish, and is currently pursuing an Online MBA through the University of Iowa.
Olga Perone was born and raised in the outskirts of Sao Paulo, Brazil. She moved to Tampa, FL in 2013 with her parents, where she graduated high school and obtained a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of South Florida (Go Bulls!). She worked at 3M as an Environment, Health & Safety Engineer upon graduating in 2019. In 2022, she joined the biofuels industry with Chevron where she worked with sustainability reporting and environmental issues. Currently, she works as a Business Development Analyst helping bring in new biofeedstock opportunities for the company.
Through her work, Olga had the chance to live in Minnesota, Alabama, Iowa and now Texas. She is fluent in Portuguese and English and has a strong command of Spanish, and is currently pursuing an Online MBA through the University of Iowa.
Director of SHPE Jr - Jack Hiatt
Jack Hiatt is a Math Teacher and Robotics Coach at Houston ISD with 7 years of experience in the classroom. As a veteran of the Army and former Police Dispatcher, Jack brings a wide variety of experience to the classroom and SHPE Jr. Jack holds a Bachelor's Degree in University Studies from Lamar University supported by an Associate's Degree in Engineering Sciences from Houston Community College.
In his spare time, Jack tries to keep up with his young daughter and her adventures into robotics and technology. When schedules clear up, you can find Jack playing Dungeons & Dragons; he recently ended his second long-term campaign as a Dungeon Master.
Jack Hiatt is a Math Teacher and Robotics Coach at Houston ISD with 7 years of experience in the classroom. As a veteran of the Army and former Police Dispatcher, Jack brings a wide variety of experience to the classroom and SHPE Jr. Jack holds a Bachelor's Degree in University Studies from Lamar University supported by an Associate's Degree in Engineering Sciences from Houston Community College.
In his spare time, Jack tries to keep up with his young daughter and her adventures into robotics and technology. When schedules clear up, you can find Jack playing Dungeons & Dragons; he recently ended his second long-term campaign as a Dungeon Master.
2023 - 2024 SHPE Houston Officers
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2022 - 2023 SHPE Houston Officers
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