Khachaturian Joins Structures Faculty

Jon E. Khachaturian (BS 78) has joined the structures group of CEE as a visiting adjunct professor.  As the CEO of Versabar Inc. of Houston, Texas, he directs a group of six companies with more than 650 employees engaged in heavy lift engineering and field operations both on-shore and offshore.

Khachaturian holds more than 50 patents and has been a leader in heavy lift technology in the Gulf of Mexico for more than 30 years.  In 2010, Khachaturian was named to the National Academy of Engineering “for developing innovative, safe, reusable, and economical heavy lifting systems to advance the international marine industry.”  His honors have included numerous awards for technical innovation.  He was named a Distinguished Alumnus of the department in 2006.

“Our family has been affiliated with the civil engineering department starting in 1945 with my Dad, Professor Narbey Khachaturian; myself from 1973-1977; and finally my son Matthew, who graduated in 2007,” he said.  “I am excited to continue this affiliation with my recent appointment as an adjunct professor.”

Khachaturian would like to offer several engineering seminars each year to faculty and students to discuss engineering applications in the heavy lift industry and provide industry perspective that complements the course curriculum, he said.

“Of course, if the timing of these seminars coincides with an Illini home game, then so much the better!”