MABE alumni Charles Bolen (BS/AE ’15) and Edward DeBro Jr. (BS/ME ’07) join MacKinzie Washington in UT’s Volunteer 40 under 40 class of 2023 in recognition of how they have excelled personally and professionally since completing their degrees at UT Knoxville.
Charles Bolen
Bolen is a program manager for the United State Space Force assigned to the National Reconnaissance Office in Chantilly, Virginia. Bolen leads a team of professionals to develop critical space capabilities for the United States. Prior to his current assignment, Bolen served as the integration section chief assigned to the Advanced Technology Transition Branch, Special Programs Directorate, Space Systems Command, Los Angeles AFB, California. In this assignment, he led a 30-plus member team identifying revolutionary new space technologies to give space warfighters the cutting edge, forming nontraditional industry, joint military, and academia relationships, as well as planning and executing space control experiments that prototype, validate, and mature these technologies along with new operating processes for the space and joint warfighter.
His favorite UT memory is his commissioning day when he was able to enter into the Air Force with several of his closest friends. “It was such a satisfying and exhilarating moment to be able to take the oath of office with my fellow Vols as we all accomplished what we had set out to do years before,” said Bolen.
Edward DeBro Jr.
DeBro Jr. is the chief operating officer and executive board member for North America at Pureon International, which is a precision chemical manufacturer in the high-grade surface finish solutions space for all sectors. A native of Smyrna, Tennessee, DeBro is a forward-thinking, accomplished, and results-oriented leader with more than 15 years of experience in operations, operational excellence, process engineering, project management, and strategic policy deployment that has met goals and added value across global organizations. His knowledge and, most importantly, his leadership have enabled the development and empowerment of high-performing teams, which has gained many sustainable successes in the metals, automotive, wood, and chemical manufacturing industries.
His favorite UT memories are being able to be a part of the experience with Bruce Pearl’s first year and building a bond, relationship, and network with Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated. During that first year, the basketball team became ranked #1 in the country, regular season SEC Champs, beat Florida in the Swamp, and made it to the Sweet 16. “Being able to be a part of the trials, process, and successes was something I will never forget and that made me a better leader, whether indirect or direct,” said DeBro Jr.