Traci and Darren Ash
Why Auburn Engineering?
Traci – I was born and raised an Auburn fan. I grew up in Sylacauga, which is only an hour away from Auburn, and started going to Auburn games when I was really young. I have an older brother who had already graduated in mechanical engineering and an older sister who was at Auburn by the time I got down there. For years I thought I wanted to be a veterinarian — of course, nowhere better than Auburn for that — but at some point in high school decided engineering was the way to go.
Darren – I also grew up not too far from Auburn in Pell City and Vestavia, and, well, I grew up an Alabama fan. I had several high school friends that were a year older, so I made visits to both campuses. These visits made me realize what a better place Auburn was and a better fit for me. I participated in Navy ROTC for a couple of years. Growing up, I enjoyed taking things apart and putting them back together again so decided engineering was what I loved. I was accepted to MIT, but Auburn won out. Pretty much Traci’s whole family is Auburn to the core. I am a convert, but I am Auburn to the core now. I don’t think she would have gone out with me if I hadn’t been.
How did you meet? If you met on campus, could you tell us your Auburn story?
While we had some common activities at Auburn we didn’t realize it until later. I was in marching band and Darren was in Navy ROTC and did the state flags around the field for pregame. Also, the year after we hosed Georgia we had to take the ROTC flag group to Athens with us the next year for protection (showing our age here). With all of that, we didn’t really know each other while in school. I was working at Rust Engineering for Darren’s dad after college and Darren was starting his final quarter. One day, Darren stopped by and the rest, as they say, is history. We have two daughters; the older one just graduated from Auburn in graphic design and the younger one is majoring in both animal science and music performance with her eyes on vet school and has carried on the AU marching and symphonic bands legacy. We also have a niece and nephew who are Auburn Aerospace Engineers.
Where are you now? Tell us about your engineering journey after graduation!
Traci – We live in Chelsea. I am with Southern Company Services and have been with them for 15 years. While I didn’t co-op while in school, I did do two summer internships with Alabama Power at Plant EC Gaston in Wilsonville. Once I graduated, I went to work for Rust Engineering in Birmingham doing piping design and 3D CAD support. I spent 16 years with Rust before moving to Southern Company where I have worked on Flue Gas Desulfurization projects, coal gasification and environmental projects. I have been involved in a Southern Company Services/Alabama Power venture called ICan-Girls in Engineering, as well as Auburn’s 100+ Women Strong.
Darren – I am currently with Revere Control Systems in Hoover. While I was in school I spent two summers working in the maintenance department at ACIPCO and learned a lot of valuable lessons (mainly study more). Over the course of my career, I have worked in investment casting, robotics, cranes, controls work and owned my own engineering business for a while. Being married to an engineer gives me the opportunity to teach the engineers that work for me about the issues that women in engineering face.