AIChE National Capital Section Dinner Meeting

Featuring Dr. Maria Burka and Ms. Courtney Johnson

Public Affairs and Information Committee: Serving Society and Interacting with Government

The Public Affairs and Information Committee (PAIC) is working to expand AIChE’s interaction with government, prioritize issues that impact chemical engineers, and develop tools for members conducting outreach at the grassroots level. Learn about the PAIC process, and the issues that are currently receiving the most attention.

About the Speakers

Maria K. Burka is the current Chair of the AIChE Public Affairs and Information Committee. Dr. Burka is the director of the Process and Reaction Engineering (PRE) program at the National Science Foundation. Her responsibilities include evaluation and management of research and educational grants to academic institutions in the areas of chemical and biochemical reaction engineering, process control and process design.

She received B.S. and M.S. degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Princeton University, all in chemical engineering. She has been active in a number of professional organizations including the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), the American Chemical Society (ACS), the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and the American Association of University Women (AAUW), and was the President of AIChE for 2011.

Courtney Johnson, formerly with the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Democratic staff, joined the Alpine Group after nearly five years on Capitol Hill. She is currently engaged in a diverse work portfolio, which includes issues primarily within the healthcare, energy, and environment sectors. She has an extensive network on the Hill and in-depth knowledge of the legislative process.

Prior to joining the Alpine Group, Ms. Johnson worked in various capacities on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Democratic staff. During her tenure on the Committee, she focused primarily on issues associated with energy policy, but was familiar with the myriad of matters under the purview of the Committee. Ms. Johnson was involved with the numerous iterations of legislation which evolved into the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Ms. Johnson developed and has maintained strong relationships with staff on the both sides of the aisle on the Committee and in personal offices.

Event Program

5:30-6:30 pm Networking/social hour (hors d’oeuvres, cash bar)
6:30-7:30 pm Dinner (Formal program begins at 6:30 pm)

7:30-8:30 pm Speaker presentations

Dinner Menu

• House salad
• Chicken, manicotti, meat lasagna, or vegan entree
• Tiramisu, Italian layered cake, black forest cake
• Coffee, tea, iced tea, sodas

Dinner Cost

$40 for members and their guests
$30 for young professionals*
Free to first ten students*

*Special Note to students and young professionals: Please email ncstreasurer@gmail.com to receive your discount code BEFORE registering as required below.
Advance Registration Required

Please RSVP at www.ncsdinnerpaic.eventbrite.com by Monday March 23, preferably by Tuesday March 17, to allow the restaurant adequate planning. Electronic prepayment is required to guarantee and complete your reservation.
Location

Parking and Directions

Montgomery County parking Garage 11 (Woodmont Corner Garage, 7730 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda, MD) is behind Positano, with entrances on Old Georgetown Rd and Woodmont Ave.
Driving from I-495 Capital Beltway - Exit at Rte 355 Bethesda, MD. Take Rte 355 (Wisconsin Ave) south toward downtown Bethesda. Make right on Woodmont Ave. Turn right on Old Georgetown Rd, and then make first right on Fairmont Ave at the BP Gas Station. Positano is on right.

Driving from Washington, DC - Take Wisconsin Ave to Bethesda, MD. Turn left on Old Georgetown Rd. Make your third right on Fairmont Ave.

From Bethesda Metro Station - Go up Old Georgetown Rd three blocks and make right on Fairmont Ave at the BP Gas Station.