Cabinet - Executive leadership

Max Lopez

President, Program Director

Max is a Senior in Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering from Orange County, CA. Max has been with Orbital on the Airframe team since his freshman year. Max hopes to help support the organization in its growth and continued advancement towards milestones. Max looks forward to working with other passionate engineers to make cool stuff this year!

Danielle Evinger

HAPSIS Chief Engineer

Danielle is a Junior in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the Northern VA, DC area. Danielle has been a part of Purdue Orbital since her freshman year, where she began on the Flight Operations team. As Chief Engineer, Danielle hopes to fly “faster, higher, and further” with her team while pursuing goals that build confidence in complex projects like our Rockoon. Outside of Orbital, she enjoys game nights with friends, especially Euchre. Danielle is open to conversations with new members and is eager to support others in any way she can!

Wes Kron

ICARUS Chief Engineer

Wes is a Senior from Fairfax, VA, majoring in Aero/Astro Engineering. Wes has been a part of Purdue Orbital since his sophomore year, and started on the Guidance, Navigation, and Control Team. As Chief Engineer, he aims to build a high-performing team and robust systems to execute the Purdue Orbital mission successfully. He is committed to advancing the goals of the Icarus Program by contributing to the development of a low-cost, reliable, and effective launch system.

Luke Hunter

Cheif Systems Engineer

Luke is a Senior in Materials Engineering from the Bay Area, California. He has been a member of Purdue Orbital since he was a freshman, remaining a loyal member of the systems teams throughout. He joined Orbital as a non-aerospace major in the hopes of it being a fun challenge, and the 4 years have been. Luke hopes to help members get experience in the Aerospace field as well as develop soft skills to help them reach their goals. In his spare time, Luke enjoys everything outdoors from hiking to skiing to rock climbing. At Purdue, you’ll find him at every Purdue sporting event there is!

RJ Charles

Treasurer

RJ is an Integrated Business and Engineering Major from Colorado, and this will be his second year at Purdue and in Orbital. As Treasurer he hopes to grow the finance and outreach teams continuing to enable non design focused members to gain hands-on experience in business roles. Outside of Orbital you can find him enjoying different sporting events at Purdue.

Rachel Hudnall

Operations Director

Rachel is a Sophomore from Lawrenceburg, IN, majoring in Aero/Astro Engineering. Rachel’s been a part of Purdue Orbital since her freshman year, and started on the Icarus Systems Team. She’s passionate about aerospace, aviation, and people. As Operations Director, she aims to foster an inclusive and collaborative environment within the club and share Purdue Orbital’s story through outreach and media initiatives.

Grant Doby

Cheif Manufacturing Engineer

Grant is a junior in mechanical engineering from Dallas, TX. He is looking forward to passing on the valuable hands-on experience that he has gained from Purdue Orbital. In his free time, he enjoys rock climbing and hiking.

adam gibson

Avionics DESIGN LEAD

Adam is a senior in mechanical engineering from St. John, IN. He started in Orbital as a part of the GNC team. He likes to be challenged with learning new things and wants to exceed avionics goals this year. In his free time, you can catch him goofing around with his friends or doing something active.

Josh Beverung

Flight Operations design Lead

Josh is a Senior in Mechanical Engineering from Menomonee Falls, WI. He has been a part of Purdue Orbital since his freshman year where he was a member of Flight Operations. Now as the Flight Operations Design Lead, he hopes to help push his team to reach beyond previous boundaries to achieve long standing goals. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with friends and playing guitar.

Jack Herman

launch structure & Payload design lead

Jack is a sophomore in mechanical engineering from Pleasantville, NY. He hopes to use this position to teach and inspire people to follow their passions. Jack enjoys outdoor activities and loves playing spikeball. He is also a big fan of Battlefront 2.

RYan smith

hapsis systems Design Lead

Ryan is a Junior in Aero/Astro Engineering, originally from Dyer, Indiana. A long-time problem solver, Ryan was inspired to a career after watching F22s take off and land at the Gary Air Show his junior year of high school. At Purdue Orbital, Ryan hopes to create genuine relationships to help the club smile, have fun, and be safe. In his spare time, you can often find him at a theater or playing video games with his close friends.

Brad groneck

Guidance, Navigation, & control Design Lead

Brad is an Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering major from Cincinnati, and this will be his second year on Purdue Orbital and GNC. As GNC Design Lead, he hopes to grow the team and continue enabling members to get hands-on experience applying aerospace design principles. Outside of Purdue Orbital, you’ll find Brad playing board games and going to concerts around West Lafayette. 

Tucker hawkins

Propulsion design lead

Tucker is a sophomore in AAE from Indianapolis and has been on Orbital’s prop team since the start of college. He hopes to help take the team past the Karman line. Ad Astra.

Franco Simon santiago

Airframe Design Lead

Simon is a senior studying Mechanical Engineering Technology, hailing from Henderson, Nevada. Since joining in his sophomore year, Simon has swiftly risen through the ranks by driving value in design, manufacturing, and leadership. As the airframe design lead, he hopes to inspire and train the next generation of engineers to reach for higher highs. Outside of Orbital, he’s an avid outdoorsman who swears “never again” at the end of every hike, and still goes back the next weekend. 

Marty chalasani

icarus systems Design lead

Marty is a Sophomore in Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering from Washington DC. He has been on Icarus Systems since he began his time at Purdue. He was inspired to pursue a career in Aerospace since a young age, where he found his passion at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. Marty hopes to help members develop skills in systems engineering and make connections in his club. Outside of the club, he enjoys spending time with friends and cooking.