As an electrical engineering alumnus, Ed Macha reflects on New Mexico State University’s Thomas and Brown Hall, which is in the process of being replaced. It was in this building where his journey as an engineer began and where he developed a deep connection with the College of Engineering.
“It was the place where we formed ourselves; it shaped our character. It was the springboard to the workforce, and it shapes your whole future, your whole identity and who you will become,” Macha said.
Though born and raised in Ilabaya, Peru, a small mining town in the high Andes, Macha may have had an inkling of what was to come. His father attended New Mexico State University in the 1960s and earned a degree in electrical engineering in 1968. After the family moved to the United States in 1982, NMSU naturally topped Ed’s list of colleges. Accepted with a scholarship, he began what would become a family tradition. Two of his brothers, a nephew and several friends followed the same path. Like his father, Ed graduated with a degree in electrical engineering.
Macha grew up around people in mining towns in South America and Mexico, where he gained an understanding of how engineering ties into the natural resources sector. “I wasn’t the greatest at math,” he admits, “but when I started engineering and saw how it applied to real-life problems, it all clicked. I realized that math had a place in how things worked. For me, it was a ‘Eureka’ moment, and I knew I wanted to see where I could take it.”
Macha’s degree, combined with his entrepreneurial spirit, has served him well. In 1999, he founded Reliable Controls Corp., an industrial plant automation and commissioning company based in Salt Lake City. Under his leadership, RCC has become recognized globally for its best-in-class services, working with some of the world’s top-tier mining and heavy industry projects.
Macha credits his time at NMSU with giving him the confidence, direction and tools to bring his vision to life. “College helped me realize how math and engineering connect to so many important aspects of the world,” he said.
This past February, Macha had the honor of returning to NMSU to deliver the 48th Annual Bromilow Lecture for the College of Engineering, revisiting the campus where his journey began.
“I hadn’t been back in a while, but it felt good. Things have changed and grown—new faces, new buildings—but it still felt like coming home. It was a sweet, nostalgic feeling, full of good memories. I remember after studying, I’d cross the Horseshoe to the music lab to play piano. It helped me relax before heading back to Thomas and Brown.”
Throughout his career, Macha has been passionate about innovation and empowering individuals. He has dedicated much of his time to promoting sustainable development and community outreach, using his expertise to drive global sustainability goals. He advocates for collaboration across stakeholders and the use of Industry 4.0 technologies, including artificial intelligence, big data, and automation, to transform industries.
As a strong supporter of the College of Engineering, Macha also looks forward to the new version of Thomas and Brown Hall. He fondly recalls the analog computers and chalkboards from his college days.
“l said my goodbyes to that building,” he said, “but like the Phoenix rising from the ashes I’m sure something great will come from it. The passion will always remain.”
