Contact Us

Chairperson

Derek is a Geotechnical Engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District. Derek does geotechnical design work on a variety of projects including streambank erosion, levees, locks,  and dams. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in 2022 and master’s degree in 2023, both in Civil Engineering from the University of Louisville. On his free time, he enjoys fishing and watching football.

Co-Chairperson

Mr. W. Robert Folsom, PE, is the Chief Engineer for CTL Engineering.  During Rob Folsom’s 30 years as a geotechnical engineering consultant, he has served as the geotechnical engineer for waterfront and marines, retaining walls, and landslides.  Consulted on seismic issues for alluvial deposits.  During the 10 years prior to geotechnical consulting, Rob worked in the structural dynamics and material characterization group for the solid rocket motor industry.  As a Rocket Scientist, his projects included the analysis of solid rocket boosters to launch satellites, InterContinental missiles for defense, missiles launched from jets, and the Advance Solid Rocket Motor for the Space Shuttle.

Treasurer

Mr. Jude Hutchins joined the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District as a co-op student in January 2018. Jude works in the Geotechnical Design Section and supports the geotechnical design and construction of large-scale navigation projects. He is also responsible for being the lead geotechnical design engineer on various military and civil works projects.

Jude earned both Bachelor of Science (2020) and Master of Engineering (2021) degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Louisville. Jude resides in Bardstown, Kentucky.

Secretary

Amber joined the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District in 2023 and works as a geologist in the Levee Safety Section. She has led Formal Inspections, contributed to Levee Risk Screenings, and worked with multi-disciplinary teams on Geotechnical Design and Dam Safety projects. Amber earned a Bachelor of Science (2020) in Geology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and a Master of Science (2022) in Geological Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin. In her free time, she loves to hike, play video games, and cuddle with her cats. Her dream is to visit every U.S. national park.

Website Engineer

Sara is a geotechnical engineer at the Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District. She serves in the Geotechnical Design Branch where she provides foundation, pavement, and earthwork recommendations for military construction and civil works projects. Sara graduated from the University of Louisville in May of 2023 (Go Cards!). She loves spending time with others, caring for her indoor plants, and smothering her family’s cats with affection.

Involvement Coordinator

Luis Felipe Salome Simon graduated in December 2025 with his Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Kentucky, and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech. Luis has three years of construction and project management experience working as a Senior Field Engineer in the remodeling of the Terminal A runway Apron at Reagan National Airport, transformation of 22.5 miles of multi-modal improvements to the I-66 corridor from I-495 in Fairfax County, VA, to University Boulevard in Prince William County, VA. He also worked on the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel in Virginia Beach, and many small residential and industrial retail projects in Virginia and Honduras. Recently Luis formed part of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers as a graduate chair leading students in his efforts to attain research experience while also developing an early warning system to detect earthquakes he has served as secretary of ASCE in his time at Virginia Tech and earned the chapter an honorary mention for being in the top third of chapters in the nation.

From San Salvador, El Salvador, Luis appreciates Lexington for access to horse racing, and enjoys basketball, soccer, and UK Football and Basketball. He enjoys community service such as getting involved in habitat for humanity construction projects, is a big Real Madrid fan, and will almost certainly say hi to your dog and give them a pup cup.