The Industrial and Systems Engineering Department keeps a strong connection with their alumni and they have been contributing tremendously to our success, in the most various ways, through their own accomplishments and contacts, through their knowledge of the industry needs and trends, and also through their unconditional advice and generous support. One of the means we have to recognize the importance of our alumni community is by presenting the ISE Distinguished Alumni Award of the Year.
The ISE Department is delighted to announce David Burdakin ’77 as the recipient of the 2020 ISE Distinguished Alumni Award.
Dave Burdakin is Executive Vice President and President JBT AeroTech for John Bean Technologies Corporation (NYSE: JBT), a position he has held since early 2014. JBT AeroTech is America’s leading provider of Airport Gate and Ground Support Equipment. Most known for its Jetway© brand passenger boarding bridges, JBT is also a leading global manufacturer of deicer trucks, cargo loaders and pushback tractors as well as providers of technical maintenance services at over 20 major airports.
JBT AeroTech is the third business where Dave has served as President, led a Lean Transformation and achieved record sales and profits. He had previously served as President of Paladin Brands and President of The HON Company, the largest operating company of HNI Corp. Before joining HNI, he held various roles at Illinois Tool Works, Bendix Industrial Group and American Can Company. Mr. Burdakin also served on the Board of Directors of Wabash National Corporation (NYSE: WNC) for six years and was elected Lead Director in 2006. Dave holds an MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business and a BS degree in Industrial Engineering from Lehigh University. He and his wife Kim have four grown children.
The ISE Department is grateful to our alumni for their support of Lehigh’s mission and their positive impact on society. We are extremely proud to present Dave with this great honor of our alumni association.