Jon Khachaturian Elected to NAE

CEE alumnus Jon E. Khachaturian (BS 78) was elected to the National Academy of Engineering “for developing innovative, safe, reusable, and economical heavy lifting systems to advance the international marine industry.”  Khachaturian is the founder, president and chief executive officer of Versabar in Houston, Texas.

Election to the National Academy of Engineering is among the highest professional distinctions for an engineer.  Academy membership honors those who have made outstanding contributions to "engineering research, practice, or education, including, where appropriate, significant contributions to the engineering literature," and to the "pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, making major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or developing/implementing innovative approaches to engineering education."
 
In the 1980s, Khachaturian carved out a niche for himself by inventing a patented system to lift unwieldy loads—including toppled off-shore oil rigs--safely and cost-effectively. He has since registered more than 40 patents and operates a family of engineering companies, including VersaMarine, VersaBuoy, and the core company, Versabar.

He credits his father, the late CEE Professor Emeritus Narbey Khachaturian (BS 1947, MS 1948, PhD 1952), with sparking his interest in civil engineering.

NAE news release: http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=02172010

Photo: Jon E. Khachaturian, right, with his son, Matthew T. Khachaturian (BS 07), center, and his father, CEE Professor Emeritus Narbey Khachaturian (BS 47, MS 48, PhD 52).  The photo was taken May 2, 2009, when Jon was named Chi Epsilon Chapter Honor Member.  The three posed with the book in which Chi Epsilon initiates inscribe their signatures, because all three were members of Chi Epsilon during their time as students in the department.