A man in a crisp golf polo, laughing alongside colleagues at a company outing, doesn’t immediately strike you as the future president of a global accrediting body — but that’s exactly the kind of grounded leadership Charlie Menke brings to the role. With a career spanning 35 years at Caterpillar Inc., Menke has earned a reputation as a visionary in engineering and product development who also brings practical wisdom and humility to every table he joins.

Now, as he steps into his role as ABET president for the 2026-27 term, Menke is leveraging his decades of industry experience to advocate for innovation in accreditation, deeper academic-industry alignment and broader access to high-quality STEM education.

From Factory Floor to the Executive Suite

Menke’s journey began at Marquette University, where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering. Shortly after graduation, he joined Caterpillar’s coveted one-year training program — a rotational experience that introduced him to nearly every corner of the global manufacturing giant. But more than technical skills, it was the people he met during those rotations who would form a network he still taps into today.

“My career has really been about building relationships, solving problems and helping great teams do even better work,” Menke reflected. “Engineering is a team sport.”

Over the decades, he ascended through increasingly complex roles — from machine development and emissions testing to leading a 400-person global team responsible for product development services, tools and processes. At every stop, Menke brought a consistent leadership philosophy: persistence, planning and people come first.

“There’s no such thing as an unsolvable problem,” he said. “With teamwork, innovation and discipline, we can overcome anything.”

Engineering Education Through an Industry Lens

Menke’s deep industry background has made him an outspoken advocate for aligning engineering education with the rapidly evolving needs of the modern workforce.

“Textbooks are great, but real-world problems don’t come with answer keys,” he explained. “ABET’s focus on student outcomes — like communication, adaptability and critical thinking — helps ensure that graduates are ready to contribute on day one.”

He also understands the constraints faced by academic programs — tight curricula, accreditation requirements and evolving student needs. “It’s not easy. But ABET’s value is in helping programs prioritize what matters most to industry without compromising academic integrity.”

Before becoming ABET president-elect, Menke served as chair of the Industry Advisory Council (IAC), where he played a key role in shaping conversations around microcredentials and workforce development. This fall, ABET will launch a new recognition of credentials service — a move he fully supports.

“The explosion of credentials reflects a clear industry demand,” he said. “ABET is the gold standard in quality assurance and expanding that confidence to non-traditional credentials is a smart evolution.”

Building a Bigger Talent Pipeline

Menke is passionate about expanding access to high-quality STEM education — not just to maintain industry competitiveness, but to foster opportunity and equity.

“One of my top goals as president is to help ABET develop scalable models that expand the pipeline of qualified graduates,” he said. “Companies like Caterpillar need a diverse and talented workforce. ABET helps make that possible.”

In a globalized, fast-moving economy, Menke believes that collaboration across academia, industry and accrediting bodies is more important than ever. His experience managing global engineering teams in Mexico, China and the United States has shaped his commitment to inclusivity and forward-thinking leadership.

“Diversity isn’t just a value — it’s a strategy. Diverse teams make better decisions,” he affirmed.

Lessons from Leadership and Service

For Menke, volunteering with ABET has been both personally rewarding and professionally enriching.

“ABET gave me a way to give back to the profession that’s given me so much,” he said. “It’s also helped me become a better leader — learning from educators, global partners and fellow volunteers.”

One standout experience? The way ABET conducts meetings.

“There’s a structure and intentionality in how voices are heard and decisions are made. It’s a model I’ve adopted in my own leadership practice.”

Menke is also quick to acknowledge the joy he finds outside of the boardroom — particularly on the golf course or out boating with friends and family near his home in Dunlap, Illinois. “This summer, I’m rejoining my golf league, fine-tuning my brisket recipe and enjoying lake weekends. Balance matters.”

Looking Ahead

As ABET looks to the future, Menke sees both opportunity and responsibility.

“We must continue to adapt to changes in technology, learning styles and workforce demands,” he said. “But at our core, our mission remains the same: to ensure that every student receives a high-quality STEM education that prepares them to build a better world.”

Under Charlie Menke’s leadership, ABET is poised to do just that — by expanding access, strengthening partnerships and evolving to meet the needs of tomorrow, today.