Ben Finan (IntDesEngr'22)
2024 Alumni Engagement Medal Award recipient
Employer and title: Keysight Technologies, New Product Introduction Program Manager
Current city: Colorado Springs, CO
Professional background
Ben Finan is a 2022 graduate of the College of Engineering and Applied Science, having completed the Integrated Design Engineering (IDE) Program with an emphasis in mechanical engineering and a concentration in business and entrepreneurship. During his tenure at CU, he served as a team leader, project manager and CEO in various project courses and entrepreneurial endeavors. Additionally, he served as a lead course assistant for the IDE Engineering Design Expo, where his contributions significantly improved and streamlined the expo process for future semesters. In his senior year, Finan further explored his entrepreneurial interests through the ESCEND program, leading Delta Horizons, a cross-campus team from the College of Engineering and Applied Science and the Leeds School of Business. Their focus on developing a safer wheeled mobility walker led to notable achievements, including first place in the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering’s senior capstone competition, a Distinction in Design, and first place in the cross-campus category at the New Venture Challenge that year. Finan now serves as a new product introduction program manager for Keysight Technologies in Colorado Springs, while still generously offering his time to support CU Engineering and its associated programs.
Contributions to the Integrated Design Engineering Program over the past year
Finan has maintained active involvement with CU Engineering and the IDE program since his undergraduate years. His leadership and commitment are evident through his mentorship of undergraduate engineers and teams. Despite his professional responsibilities at Keysight Technologies, Finan continues to contribute to IDE’s programs. He participates in events such as CU Teach Engineering's pre-college teacher summer professional development program, serves as a judge for the first-year projects expo, delivers guest presentations for general engineering courses, participates in mock interviews, and readily mentors current students. Finan’s consistent presence and support highlight his ongoing dedication to the program/college and its initiatives.
Finan exemplifies the qualities of an alumni role model, representing our engineering programs and college with professionalism and dedication. His commitment to learning and service is exemplary, as evidenced by his willingness to engage in discussions with students on leveraging technical skills for project and career success. Finan's contributions have significantly enhanced the success of student showcase and expo events, leaving a lasting impression on our programs. As an active alum of the college and IDE program, Finan is truly deserving of recognition for his continued support and advocacy.