Douglas Kautzer – International Engine Application Engineer

Briggs & Stratton Corporation

I have always been interested in mechanical things and how they work. It goes back to my early childhood when I would modify my toys to make them into something else. I think I learned this from my father who was a very good mechanic and made a lot of our toys for Christmas, such as these model steam engines. (I am the one in the striped shirt in the front). When I was in high school I wanted to be an automotive engineer and design cars. I think that I bought every model car kit that was on the market and worked with them to make my own designs once I started to have a job. 

 

After I graduated from MSOE I started to work at Teledyne Wisconsin Motors in Milwaukee in the Service Department, and then went into the Engineering Department.  Working in the Service Department taught me many valuable lessons on how to deal with customers.  These valuable lessons serve me well today working as an International Engine Application Engineer at Briggs & Stratton.

While at Wisconsin Motors and now at B&S I was involved in SAE. It was a good source for obtaining technical information and meeting colleagues in the same or similar professions. Currently I am the secretary of the Milwaukee Section. It is a great opportunity to again work with a variety of people with different disciplines in a variety of industries. It is very satisfying to provide technical assistance and guidance to our student members as they progress with their education. SAE provides an excellent source for networking to find solutions for many of our current opportunities in today’s transportation and power solution fields. The dinner meetings and business tours are one way to meet these goals. The other way is to serve on a committee or volunteer to help out with the local activities sponsored by the Milwaukee Section or some of the activities put on by SAE International.

 

 

 

 

Cara Kazda, SAE Webmaster

Product Development Engineer, Kuss Filtration, Cambridge, WI.

“I have found my SAE connections and membership to be very rewarding. My involvement with SAE started at MSOE when I participated on the 2005 Formula SAE team. My position as SAE webmaster and company representative has enabled me to meet many neat people and has been a great networking tool within the industry. As a huge fan of auto racing, SAE has kept me informed and close to the racing activities within our section. I especially enjoy the partnership SAE shares with Road America.”

 

 

Tony Grant, SAE Company Rep Chair, North American Business Development Manager, Hamlin Electronics, Lake Mills, WI.

“The dinner meetings have been a rewarding way to experience the diversity of the many technologies located right here in WI. I also volumteer a few hours a week on the SAE Board which has allowed me to work side-by-side with some very fun students and business professionals. I find it very refreshing to be networking with many like-minded individuals on a non-profit basis as we set our goals and meet our objectives.”

Mitch Crawford, Mechanical Engineering Student, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

“Being involved with the Society of Automotive Engineers has broadened my prospective of industry in

Wisconsin. After talking with other members, I can get the inside scoop to new products, ideas and the direction of companies in the area. I feel extremely confident, that I will be able to find a job after graduation, having met so many engineers from around the area.”

 

 

Dale Wiza, Professional Engineering Placements, Inc./ Career Development Chair, & a Past-Past-Past-Chair

“It was 16 years ago, while recruiting for H-D, when a hiring manager asked for candidates that were active in SAE. So I joined too, and thought – this will be for business, and offered to be the Membership Chair. Soon, I grew a more of a servant’s heart, with a higher regard for the authentic relationships and serving SAE (not it serving me). Then the real growth, and genuine rewards followed!”