David Van Kleeck joined the staff of Rice Center for Engineering in August 2014 following a 34-year career as a technologist and manager in Shell’s research and development organization. During his Shell career, he held a variety of positions in which he was responsible for process development, manufacturing technical service, and product support to several downstream refining and chemical businesses. He was also active in Shell’s recruiting efforts for more than 14 years as a campus interviewer, and had a parallel career in the Army Reserve, retiring as a brigadier general after 32 years of active and reserve service in 2005. He was commissioned in the army through ROTC at Princeton University (1973). During his army career, David commanded troops at the battalion, group, and brigade levels. His assignments included active duty tours in Italy and Germany. He returned to Rice after receiving a PhD there in chemical engineering in 1981.