Meet the Board
2026- 2027
President
Dr. Luis A. Palacio, P.E.
Luis Palacio is a Licensed Professional Engineer in Indiana and a Bio-Physicist. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, and a Ph.D. in Physics from Purdue University. As an engineer, he worked for General Electric Power Conversion at their Global Engineering Headquarters for over 4 years and at Alivio Medical Center for over 2 years. As a scientist, he is currently leading an investigation that studies changes in the molecular structure of proteins that are associated with lung diseases and blood clotting. He has conducted research at Oak Ridge National Laboratories, Argonne National Laboratories, and IUPUI. Luis has more than 3 years of combined experience as an educator at the undergraduate level and at the high school level. Luis has been a consultant for GE Electric Power Conversion, Uncommon Engineering, the National Institutes of Health, VoCare, and MedDiary. After 2 years of serving as Director of Programs and Research, Luis is now Executive Director and CEO of Health & Science Innovations, Inc., an Indiana-based not-for-profit 501c3 organization serving the community through education and innovation. Luis is actively engaged in the community directly serving on various advisory boards, teaching, mentoring, and using his engineering skills to design solutions to workforce development, poverty, diversity, and other challenges that affect society.
Vice President
Lizeth Quinones
Lizeth is originally from Bogota, Colombia. Lizeth moved to the United States as a child, where she completed high school and got her Bachelor of Science in Computer Graphics from Purdue University. Shortly after graduating, Lizeth began to work in brand design and re-branding for companies such as Dell, HP, Yum Brands, Advance Auto Parts, Fidelity, and many more. In recent years Lizeth utilized her skills as a digital marketer for Adul and Child Health, where she created the current brand. She also helped build the design structure of Adult and Child websites and set the first digital marketing campaign to help establish Adult and Child in the digital world. Lizeth currently works for Indiana University, assisting in the re-branding effort of a Liberal Arts education in a world moving towards STEM fields. Lizeth enjoys spending time with her family, doing hot yoga, traveling, and watching movies.
Secretary
Shirley Echevarria
Shirley is originally from Barranquilla, Colombia where she finished her Bachelor’s in Electronics Engineering. Shirley came to the US in 2008 and completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering at the University of South Florida. Shortly after graduating, she joined Cummins in the Off-Highway Controls department. She spent the first 2 years as Systems Engineer in calibration integration. Later she was controls lead for QSX 15 program and group leader for Off-Highway Custom Calibrations, and technical lead for Off-Highway Controls’ current product where she lead the calibration-related VPCRs and current product cal improvements. She was recently the Systems Validation Leader for Off-Highway products at Cummins. Shirley is currently Assistant TPL for the X15 North America product. During her working period, she also had the opportunity to finish her MBA at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. She lives in Columbus with her 2 kids and Husband and is a local volunteer in various organizations. She serves on the board of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Indiana Chapter and enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading, and dancing.
Education & Student Relationships Chair
Dr. Andres Tovar
Andres Tovar, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Mechanical and Energy Engineering and an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). He received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and M.S. in Industrial Automation from the National University of Colombia in 1995 and 2000, respectively. He earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame in 2004 and 2005, respectively. At IUPUI, he has been the recipient of the 2015 Wisner-Stoelk Outstanding Faculty Award and the 2016 IU Trustees Teaching Award. He also received the 2014 SAE Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award and First Place in the 2015 ARPA-E LITECAR Challenge. His main research areas include biologically-inspired design, multiscale topology optimization, and design for additive manufacturing. Applications include the design of porous implants and lightweight prosthetics.
Corporate Relationships Chair
Israel Doroteo
Israel is originally from México City. He came to the USA- speaking zero English- looking for a chance to improve his and his family’s lives. Beginning with ESL classes, continuing with an Associate of Science at Ivy Tech, and then a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University. Israel is passionate about engineering, construction, business, and leadership development.
Israel worked for TreSSS, USA, a startup innovating the pool market, where he was a subcontractor and acted as a Design and Development engineer. He led and supported New Product Introduction, led multi-disciplinary teams, developed marketing and business strategies, and accelerated the company’s growth. Currently, Israel is a Senior Engineer- Automation for Eli Lilly and Company.
Israel’s construction experience, engineering background, and passion for business development have allowed him to provide consulting services for construction companies such as Indy Force and ACR Custom Homes, Inc., and restaurants like El Cardenal Mexican Restaurant.
He is eager to contribute to SHPE Indiana’s Professional community growth and see it become a force, source of talent, and inspiration in Indiana.
Family, running, walking, and attending cultural events are some ways he loves spending his time outside work.
Community Outreach Chair
Omar Aragonez
Omar Aragonez, a product test engineer at Cummins Fuel Systems, has recently embraced Region 6 with enthusiasm. Originally from the southwest, he was born in a New Mexican town and holds a master’s in mechanical engineering from the University of New Mexico, specializing in nanosystem technologies and energy harvesting.
Previously, Omar contributed his expertise to a startup focused on vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers for lidar applications. Beyond engineering, he’s been an advisor to first-generation, low-income high school students.
Having connected with the professional chapter in Indiana, Omar is excited to share his experiences and contribute to the community. His dedication to both engineering and community impact promises a valuable and inspiring journey ahead.
Membership Chair
Ines Paez
Ines Paez is a food engineer with a diploma in business management and development, combining technical training with a strong business vision throughout her career. She currently serves as Executive Director of SADCO, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, where she leads high-impact community projects. Previously, Ines served on the Indianapolis Mayor’s Council, actively contributing to urban development initiatives. Known for her strength in networking and strategic partnerships, skills sharpened through leadership training at the International Center, Ines is driven daily by a desire to create projects and events that strengthen the social fabric of her community, promoting collaboration and the holistic development of people.