Meet Dr. Raymond Thompson, PhD, PE
Dr. Raymond Thompson, the visionary Director and Chair of the Symphony of Elements Exhibition
Dr. Raymond Thompson has spent more than six decades at the intersection of metallurgy, education, and community in Birmingham, Alabama. Symphony of Elements is the culmination of that lifetime of work.
Educator
As an Engineering Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Dr. Thompson shaped generations of engineers through his courses in metallurgy, ceramics, and materials science. After retiring from teaching, he continued to serve UAB on the Long-Term Planning Committee, the School of Engineering Advisory Council, and as President of the UAB National Alumni Society — earning the UAB Volunteer of the Year Award for his dedication.
Leader in his field
Dr. Thompson is a Fellow of the American Welding Society, the American Society for Materials, and the National Academy of Forensic Engineers. He has been recognized as Engineer of the Year by the Engineering Council of Birmingham, and his contributions to materials science span numerous publications and patents.
Entrepreneur
He founded Vista Engineering, a consulting and design firm that has completed over 500 projects across 14 states and three continents — with research partners including the Department of Defense, NASA, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Visionary
Symphony of Elements is Dr. Thompson's gift to the city that shaped him — a celebration of the metals industry, the power of science education, and the hidden beauty in the world around us.
Symphony of Elements
Explore the accolades of our Board Members and Chairpersons.
Board Members + Chairpersons
The Symphony of Elements board brings together decades of leadership across engineering, finance, education, government, and community affairs.
Dr. Doug Rigney / Board Member + PR Chairperson
Dr. Doug Rigney has built a distinguished career bridging engineering, education, and institutional leadership. A former Professor of Biomedical and Materials Engineering at UAB, he went on to serve as Vice President for Student Affairs, Vice President for Information Technology, and ultimately Chief Information Officer at Samford University.
Allen Bolton / Finance Chairperson
Allen Bolton brings extensive experience in financial administration and research management to the Symphony of Elements board. His career at UAB includes serving as Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration, Senior Associate Dean for Finance at the School of Medicine, and leadership roles at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center. He has also served as Interim Executive Vice President at Southern Research and Interim Senior Vice Chancellor for Finance at the University of Tennessee.
Martin (Marty) Connors / Governmental Affairs Chairperson
A seasoned civic leader and strategist, Marty Connors has been a fixture in Birmingham's public and community life for decades. As a former Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, President of the Board of the Birmingham International Center, and founder of M.J. Connors Consulting, he brings deep knowledge of governmental affairs and community engagement to the Foundation's work.
John Cassimus / Board Member + Fundraising Chairperson
John Cassimus combines a background in Materials Science and Engineering from UAB with a lifetime of entrepreneurship and civic investment in Birmingham. A former plant manager in the telecommunications industry and owner of the historic Peanut Depot building on Morris Avenue — a family legacy dating back to 1907 — he brings both scientific grounding and deep community roots to his role on the board.
Dr. Brian Pillay / Composite Materials Chairperson
Dr. Brian Pillay is one of Birmingham's leading voices in advanced materials research and engineering education. Since joining UAB in 2003, he has served as a Professor of Engineering, Chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Director of the Manufacturing Processing and Advanced Development (MPAD) Center.