Momentum - November 2019 - 23

CAREER PATH

Photo credit: Shuana Wollmershauser

Rehak and his family love watching races of all different vehicle types, including
hydroplanes.

Rehak behind the wheel just before the Formula SAE Michigan 2019
Acceleration Event.
Who most influenced you on your journey to becoming
a professional engineer?
My immediate family, both of my parents, have been
extremely supportive of my education and career goals.
As previously mentioned, having grown up in the metro
Detroit area, most of my life has been influenced by
the auto industry. My father has recently retired from
General Motors, my uncle is involved with manufacturing
and controls industry, and my grandparents were
involved with various engineering careers working for
the City of Detroit and Detroit Edison. Throughout my
K-12 education, there was always something motorsports
related on TV. As a family, we would try to attend some
motorsports event, be it an APBA Hydroplane, an
IndyCar, NHRA, or NASCAR race.
How did your involvement with SAE International as a
student prepare you for the workforce?
During my time at Lawrence Technological University
(LTU), I was able to grow what was already a
longstanding history of being involved with Formula
SAE. My main role and responsibilities were to handle the
team budget and manage the team's finances. I was also
able to bring in new companies to help the team with
product and expand learning opportunities among team
members. These companies have grown and developed
with the program over many years.
Creating relationships with sponsors and university
departments in many ways is the same as developing
relationships with vendors and customers. This attribute
can be transferred to any role within any industry, and
to any role within a given company among different
departments to help further a product.
The proudest accomplishment with the team was
running a positive budget and increasing revenues
over a four-year period. Creating a marketing plan that
MOMENTUM

Photo credit: Shuana Wollmershauser

The 2019 Lawrence Tech Formula SAE car with an aero package that Rehak helped
develop.
recruited students to the team, as well as growing corporate interest
in the program, became a personal goal of mine. Developing and
obtaining resources are what ultimately drive the program's success.
To further marketing of the team outside the university, I helped and
expanded the LTU SAE organization at the North American International
Auto Show and helped grow the university's annual Blue Devil
Motorsports Grand Prix event.
The last two years of my time with the team, I was able to help create
the first aero package for the LTU FSAE program. Being able to learn
manufacturing processes from various companies within the composite
industry was rewarding. Creating the composites aero package was a
step in the growth and competitiveness of the team and vehicle.
Now that you are employed as an engineer, of what benefit is it to be
an SAE Member?
SAE has helped me professionally with meeting new companies
and created professional relationships. Also, personally the SAE
organization has changed the people who I interact with. Many of my
previous teammates are now long-standing friends outside of work and
professional life.
What do you like to do for fun?
I enjoy spending time with family and exploring Michigan and learning
about its history. I also enjoy attending motorsports events, as well
as understanding the business side of motorsports and the economic
impact of manufacturing.

November 2019 23
Momentum - November 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Momentum - November 2019
