DESIGN - BUILD - TEST - COMPETE
About
LOBOmotorsports
Formula SAE at UNM started in 1997 and is now in its 28th year. The program, run by Dr. John Russell of the UNM Department of Mechanical Engineering, is now a 3-semester course load that begins in the Spring of each year and is an alternative path to graduation from the traditional mechanical engineering path. Students that take the FSAE-path are given the equivalent credit of 2 mechanical engineering electives and Senior Design.
Interim Project Director and Electrical System Advisor
Gene Kallenbach
Gene Kallenbach has been the Electrical System Advisor for the University of New Mexico's Formula SAE (FSAE) team since 2018, leveraging his extensive experience in electrical engineering to guide aspiring engineers in their automotive projects. In addition to his advisory role, he has been teaching Electrical Engineering at UNM since 2021, sharing his wealth of knowledge with the next generation of students.
A retired Electrical Engineer, Gene dedicated 31 years of his career to Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM, where he achieved the esteemed title of Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff (DMTS) in R&D Electronics Engineering. His work at Sandia involved the design and development of a wide range of sensor systems, showcasing his innovative approach to complex engineering challenges. Gene also possesses substantial project management experience for National Security and Counterterrorism projects
Before his impactful tenure at Sandia, Gene worked at Sperry Flight Systems (now Honeywell Aerospace) for five years. There, he served as a lead hardware engineer, specializing in the design and development of autopilots for military aircraft. This role honed his technical skills and deepened his understanding of avionics systems.
With a rich background in both academia and industry, Gene Kallenbach continues to inspire and educate students at UNM, guiding them as they explore the intricacies of electrical engineering and its applications in automotive design.
Shop Manager and Machinist
Alex Dragt
Alexander Dragt began his career in 1987 as an electronics technician at a small Los Alamos company that designed and manufactured carbon dioxide lasers for industrial and research applications. He later joined Los Alamos National Laboratory as a high-voltage pulse power technician on the Aurora laser fusion program. In this role, he was responsible for servicing a 1.5-megavolt Marx generator, maintaining 30 kV triggering units, integrating data acquisition systems, and supporting research scientists.
In 1992, Alexander moved to Albuquerque to complete his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at the University of New Mexico, graduating in 1995. Following graduation, he joined Intel in Portland, Oregon, where he worked with wafer probe test equipment in semiconductor manufacturing
In 1997, he returned to New Mexico and began a career with Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies (FM&T/NM), supporting defense-related projects at Sandia National Laboratories and other national laboratories across the country. His work focused primarily on the design and development of automated test systems for high-voltage components and advanced data acquisition systems. While at FM&T/NM Alexander was twice awarded the Significant Technical Achievement Reward and Recognition (STARR) award for his contributions to the development of miniature battery-powered Marx generators and a 400 kV square-pulse Marx generator.
After retiring in 2019, he returned to the workforce in May 2026 as a part-time Shop Foreman for the Formula SAE (FSAE) program within the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of New Mexico.
Outside of work, Alexander enjoys metal fabrication and the design and construction of off-road race cars. He has actively raced his vehicles for more than ten years in competitions throughout New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada.
Shop Manager and Machinist
Gavin DeBerry
Gavin DeBerry is a Shop Manager and Machinist for the University of New Mexico Formula SAE program. He is currently completing his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at UNM and plans to continue his education by pursuing a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
Gavin's involvement with Formula SAE began as a member of the 2026 Brakes subsystem, where he contributed to the design, manufacturing, and testing of the team's race car. As his machining skills and leadership developed, he also served as the team's Machinist Lead, helping manufacture precision components and mentoring fellow students in the shop.
In his current role as Shop Manager, Gavin oversees daily shop operations, assists students with manufacturing projects, and helps maintain a safe and productive environment. He has experience operating manual mills and lathes, producing precision components, and supporting projects from initial design through final assembly. He enjoys teaching students proper machining practices while helping them gain confidence working with shop equipment.
Beyond Formula SAE, Gavin has participated in engineering research and fabrication projects involving machining, welding, CAD design, additive manufacturing, and mechanical assembly. His interests include precision manufacturing, automotive engineering, and vehicle restoration, and he enjoys applying practical engineering solutions to complex mechanical challenges.
Gavin is passionate about providing students with hands-on engineering experience and believes that manufacturing is an essential part of the design process. He is committed to supporting the continued success of the UNM Formula SAE program while helping prepare future engineers for careers in industry.
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