In the past 4 months, 12 new employees have joined the EERC. We welcome them to the team!
Barry Dima
Technical Editor
Prior to coming to the EERC, Barry worked as an Associate Editor for Fine Woodworking Magazine. Barry is originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He enjoys woodworking, staying healthy, and reading in his free time.
Zander Dreyer
Research Engineer
Prior to coming to the EERC, Zander worked as a Process Engineer at Paterson & Cooke Consulting Engineers. Zander is originally from Cape Town, South Africa. He enjoys fishing, target shooting, and hunting in his free time. He also likes to keep active through golfing and the gym. He spent a lot of time outdoors growing up and still enjoys unwinding in nature. When he is stuck indoors, he stays busy reading or learning to play the electric guitar.
Kathryn (Katie) Hall
Research Engineer
Prior to coming to the EERC, Katie was a Math and Engineering Instructor at Turtle Mountain Community College. Katie is originally from Belcourt, North Dakota. She and her husband have a 1-year-old daughter and three dogs. In her spare time, she enjoys doing various crafts with her Cricut and collecting rocks.
Patrick Huvard
Research Manager
Prior to coming to the EERC, Patrick worked for his family’s consulting firm as a research chemist and laboratory manager. Patrick is originally from Richmond, Virginia. His interests include movies/tv, reading, traveling, cooking, museums, and video games. He is currently working on obtaining his master’s degree in chemistry through an online program. He enjoys learning new things and “geeks out over new science discoveries and inventions.”
Ahmed Ismail
Oilfield Operations Specialist
Prior to coming to the EERC, Ahmed worked as a Field Geologist for Field GeoServices. He was also a Teaching and Research Assistant for UND’s Petroleum Engineering department as well as an Assistant Lecturer, Lab Instructor, and Teaching and Research Assistant for Cairo University. Ahmed is originally from Egypt. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, hiking, traveling, and spending quality time with his family.
Ronald (Ron) Johnson
Assistant Director for Facilities
Prior to coming to the EERC, Ron worked as a Research and Development Manager for John Bean Technologies Corporation. Ron is originally from Grand Forks, North Dakota. He enjoys spending his free time traveling, camping, and hiking with his wife and dogs.
James Lee
Research Engineer
Prior to coming to the EERC, James worked as a Technical Services Scientist for Mississippi Lime Company. Born in Korea, James has spent most of his life in the United States. He lived in California and Illinois before moving to North Dakota. James is a new father and enjoys target shooting and archery.
Michael Livers
Research Manager
Prior to coming to the EERC, Michael worked as a Research Archaeologist for the University of Montana. Michael is originally from Sidney, Montana. In his free time, he enjoys cinema and music. He possesses a wealth of random knowledge about the world, and he loves to experience new cultures through travel, food, and drink. Michael enjoys dark beers, anything Ghostbusters, and David Bowie.
Koryn Rolshoven
Administrative Assistant
Prior to coming to the EERC, Koryn was a Paralegal for Swanson & Warcup, Ltd. Koryn is originally from Grand Forks, North Dakota, and enjoys traveling and spending time with her friends, family, and dogs.
Motaz Saeed
Reservoir Engineer
Prior to coming to the EERC, Motaz worked as a Research Associate at Louisiana State University and a Research Fellow at the University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom. Motaz is originally from Khartoum, Sudan. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, reading, learning something new, and spending quality time with family.
Anthony (Tony) Snyder
Assistant Director for Advanced Energy Technology
Prior to this position, Tony worked as an Engineering Manager and Principal Engineer for Cirrus Aircraft. Prior to that, he worked at the EERC from 2007 to 2012. Tony is originally from Larimore, North Dakota. In his free time, he enjoys biking, hiking, traveling, and playing the trombone in the Grand Forks City Band.
Jose Torres Rivero
Principal Reservoir Engineer
Prior to this position, Jose worked at the University of Pau in France as a Senior Research Engineer. Prior to that, he worked at the EERC from 2016 to 2018 as a Senior Reservoir Engineer. Jose is originally from Caracas, Venezuela. In his free time, he enjoys playing various sports and outdoor activities, playing online chess, and taking family trips to parks and zoos.