Clarkson University Presents Young Alumni Award to Five Graduates
Heather Feli ‘03 of Portland, Maine, Amanda P. Geary ‘13 of Ogdensburg, N.Y., Brett J. Gobe '03 of Rochester, N.Y., Kristen D. Larsen ’08, MS’09 of San Francisco, Calif., and Christopher R. McKinney ’13 of Nairobi, Kenya, have received the Woodstock Award from their alma mater, Clarkson University.
Presented each year during Reunion Weekend, the Woodstock Award honors young alumni who have demonstrated outstanding loyalty and service to Clarkson and the Alumni Association and who have used their Clarkson experience to make a notable contribution to their careers.
Heather Feli received her bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from Clarkson and her master of science in mechanical engineering from the University of Utah. She holds professional certificates in engineering leadership and systems engineering and is also a PMI Project Management Professional and a certified INCOSE Systems Engineering Professional.
Feli is the director of operations with EnviroLogix, where she oversees operations, facilities, engineering, quality and lab services. She is an editor and author of the book Emerging Trends in Systems Engineering Leadership: Practical Research from Women Leaders and co-author of the paper "Experiments in Leading Through Influence: Reflections from a Group of Emerging Technical Leaders." In 2022, she was awarded the International Council on Systems Engineering’s Outstanding Service Award.
She is the co-creator of Clarkson’s annual OktoBAJAfest, a unique exhibition race for mini Baja vehicles. She is also a Legion donor in Clarkson’s Good Knights Guild.
Feli resides in Portland, Maine.
Amanda P. Geary received her bachelor of science degree in political science from Clarkson and her juris doctor from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University. She is also a graduate of The Clarkson School.
Geary is a partner in Crescent Law Group and an assistant professor of consumer & organizational studies at Clarkson. She has written articles for NNY Business magazine and the New York Law Journal.
She is a member of the Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Seaway Valley Prevention Council Board, New York State Bar Association, St. Lawrence County Bar Association and Ogdensburg City Recreation Commission.
Geary also serves as chair of the Clarkson Alumni Council and is a Legion donor in Clarkson’s Good Knights Guild.
She resides in Ogdensburg, N.Y., with her husband, Ryan, and their sons.
Brett J. Gobe received his bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Clarkson.
He has been a public health engineer at the Monroe County (New York) Department of Public Health since 2020. During the pandemic, he was assigned roles in supply chain logistics and immunization clinic management. He has been working in the public sector for 15 years.
While at Clarkson, Gobe was active in the Pep Band, served as president of the Clarkson Chapter of the New York Water Environment Association and was a part-time writer for U.S. College Hockey Online.
Gobe serves on the Clarkson Alumni Association and is the current president of the Clarkson University Pep Band Alumni Association. He is a Legion donor in Clarkson’s Good Knights Guild and is active in the Rochester Chapter of the Alumni Association.
He resides in Rochester, N.Y.
Kristen D. Larsen received her bachelor of science degree in biomolecular science with a physical therapy concentration and her master of science in engineering science from Clarkson.
She is head of growth at Performance Health Sciences and is on the cutting edge of innovative work that marries holistic health and wellness testing with wearable technology to improve human performance and health span.
Outside of work, Larsen uses her certifications in functional strength and personal training to support women in her community in achieving their fitness goals.
Larsen was a record-setting swimmer at Clarkson, earning ESPN Academic All-American in 2008 and 2009. She volunteers her Clarkson story for use in social media and admissions campaigns and advises prospective students and alumni with their post-college transitions. She is a Legion donor in Clarkson’s Good Knights Guild.
She resides with her husband, John, in San Francisco, Calif.
Christopher R. McKinney received his bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering and physics with honors from Clarkson.
As the chief commercial officer at BURN Manufacturing, where his work significantly contributes to environmental sustainability and the adoption of clean energy, McKinney is responsible for the company's sales and marketing activities worldwide. He has held a range of leadership positions in BURN, spearheading the company's entrance into the carbon credit industry.
McKinney is a member of the Mountain Club of Kenya, where he volunteers to teach climbing and mountaineering skills. He is also a mentor to young entrepreneurs in the social enterprise sector and has hosted Clarkson University School of Business students in Kenya.
While at Clarkson, he was involved in the leadership of the Outing Club and Triathlon Club and was inducted into Phalanx in 2012.
McKinney resides in Nairobi, Kenya, with his wife, Danielle, and his one-year-old son, Acacius. He is the son of Clarkson alumni Joanne '82 and Gary ‘84 McKinney.
