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.”