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H3X alumni forbes 30 under 30
December 4, 2023

UW Engineering Forbes 30 Under 30

UW Engineering alumni made a strong showing in the 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 list!

Eric Maciolek (BSME’2018), Max Liben (BSME’2018, MSEE’2020) and Jason Sylvestre (BSEE’2018, MSEE’2019) of H3X, and Jordan Black (BSME’2018) of Senra Systems are on the Forbes Manufacturing and Industry list and Grace Stanke, Miss America 2023 and current Nuclear Engineering student, made the Forbes Energy list. Read about these alumni below, in excerpts from the Forbes 30 Under 30 website.

H3X CoE alumni
Maciolek, Liben, and Sylvestre, H3X photos

Maciolek, Liben, and Sylvestre cofounded H3X in 2020 in Denver to develop advanced motors for commercial electric aviation and to decarbonize heavy industrial sectors. Its first motors range from 40- to 4000-horsepower and are three times lighter than those of competitors. Read more about the H3X team.


Jordan Black Forbes
Jordan Black, Senra photo

Black and his co-founder Ben Shanahan, previously SpaceX engineers, established Senra Systems to improve wire harness manufacturing and automate a highly labor-intensive production process. Wire harnesses, used in everything from rockets, cars, and submarines to appliances, HVAC systems, and televisions, are a $111 billion global market.


While studying nuclear engineering at the UW-Madison, Stanke became frustrated at what she saw as a shortage of appreciation among the general public at the role that zero-carbon nuclear power plays in powering America. Stanke made nuclear advocacy her cause and since being crowned as Miss America 2023, she has traveled around the globe talking up the benefits of nuclear.

Miss America 2023 Grace Stanke receives a briefing from a 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) tomb sentinel in the Memorial Amphitheater Display Room at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., March 17, 2023. While at ANC, Stanke participated in a Public Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and visited the gravesite of President John F. Kennedy. (U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser / Arlington National Cemetery / released)
Grace Stanke
(U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser / Arlington National Cemetery / released)

Congratulations to all and we can’t wait to see what you do next!

Check out the full 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 list here.

Featured image: Maciolek, Sylvestre, and Liben pictured at H3X (photo from LinkedIn, Jason Sylvestre)