Team

Max Erwin is a seasoned engineer with a knack for automation and control systems, particularly specializing in the Mark VIe control system and OT networks within power plants. Graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Virginia in 2008, he later added a Master’s in Electrical Engineering from the same institution in 2013.

With over a decade spent at GE, Max worked on automation projects worldwide, working on everything from Gas Turbines to HRSGs. Since 2018, he’s been the CEO and Co-Founder at SISO Engineering, blending his technical chops with a hands-on approach. Beyond the office, Max is all about rugby – it’s been a passion since college and still keeps him on his toes.

Automation and control systems expert specializing in the Mark VIe control system and OT networks. With a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering (2008) and a Master’s in Electrical Engineering (2013) from the University of Virginia, Max spent over a decade at GE leading global automation projects across Gas Turbines and HRSGs. Since 2018, Max has driven innovation at SISO with a hands-on approach.

Kellan McCarthy is a dynamic force in engineering, serving as Co-Founder, CTO, and Engineering Director at SISO since January 2018. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master’s from North Carolina State University, Kellan’s expertise lies in controls, analytics, and gas turbines. At SISO, he pioneers automation and analytics to elevate customer experiences, leading the engineering team and managing product development for Snapshot and SmartWash services.

With over 18 years in the power generation industry, Kellan’s career highlights include roles as an aeroderivative gas turbine controls tech lead and graduate of the Edison Engineering Development Program. Off-duty, Kellan indulges his passion for racing and flight simulation, crafting homemade simulators to feed his adrenaline fix.

Leader in controls, analytics, and gas turbines. With a Mechanical Engineering degree from UT Austin and a Master’s from NC State, he has over 14 years in power generation, including roles as a gas turbine controls tech lead and Edison Engineering Development Program graduate. At SISO, he drives automation and analytics, leading product development for Snapshot and SmartWash.

Daniel Carpenter plays a vital role at SISO as a Senior Controls Engineer, bringing his expertise to bear on two crucial fronts: controls engineering and software engineering. Within controls engineering, Daniel focuses on optimizing the performance of Mark VIe systems and HMI software, ensuring seamless operation and reliability for clients. Additionally, his proficiency extends to software engineering, where he designs and implements custom IoT data collection systems tailored to meet the unique needs of SISO’s projects. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for problem-solving, Daniel’s contributions are integral to SISO’s success in delivering cutting-edge solutions to its clientele. Prior to his tenure at SISO, Daniel amassed experience in controls engineering for various applications, including 7F-class gas turbines, offshore blow-out preventer control systems, and landdrilling rig control systems. Outside of the office, Daniel finds solace in the art of Bonsai, actively participating in the Houston Bonsai Society and nurturing over 50 trees.

Meghan Wittorf joined SISO in 2025 as Vice President of Finance, bringing extensive experience in financial planning, cost accounting, and corporate accounting across the energy and technology sectors. At SISO, she manages financial efficiencies, optimizes internal controls, and supports the company’s strategic growth initiatives.

Before joining SISO, she served as Corporate Controller at Luminare, Inc., leading financial operations and supporting key growth initiatives. She also held senior finance and accounting roles at Data Gumbo Corporation and Murphy Oil Corporation. Meghan earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from St. Edward’s University, graduating Cum Laude.

Outside of work, Meghan enjoys starting her days with early morning runs or strength training and loves traveling to tropical destinations.

John Hicks joined SISO Engineering in March 2025 as Vice President of Product. John’s has a diversified background in industrial control systems and heavy machinery automation within the energy sector. At SISO, John focuses on product management and software development. He is actively involved in advancing the tools and services that support real-time operations and data-driven performance improvement. John holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at San Antonio and an MBA from Arizona State University. Prior to joining SISO, he led product management initiatives in the oil and gas industry, with a focus on digitizing upstream procurement supply chains. Outside of work, John enjoys competing in local and state amateur golf tournaments.

Jose Rodriguez is a seasoned veteran in the industrial automation field, bringing his expertise to SISO since January 2024, as a Field Technical Advisor. Graduating from the Arizona Institute of Business and Technology, Jose’s journey has been marked by 29 years of invaluable experience. Based in Phoenix, Jose oversees the southwest region and manages the fabrication of Matrix boxes. With a versatile skill set encompassing field service, troubleshooting and customer support, Jose supports our customers from the job site setup to customer training. His extensive background includes working on a wide array of gas turbine projects, making him one of the few experts able to cover all of GE’s aero-derivative engines. Jose has diversified expertise in controls systems, electrical systems, and mechanical work on gas turbine engines.

Prior to joining SISO, Jose served as a Technical Advisor for Arizona Public Service, where he trained over 40 employees on GE aero-derivative units, providing comprehensive support and guidance. Outside of work, Jose enjoys basketball, off-roading, and camping, as well as indulging his creative side through laser engraving and assisting his wife with her home crafts.

Ahmad Zahari brings a wealth of experience to SISO since joining in January 2024 as an Automation Engineer. Graduating from Tulane University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Ahmad’s dedication to his field is evident in his Green Belt certification. With over 20 years of industry experience spanning power generation, oil and gas, and chemical sectors, Ahmad’s expertise encompasses process automation, gas turbine controls, SCADA systems, and OT networks. At SISO, Ahmad specializes in automation, SCADA, electrical, and project engineering, bringing his seasoned insights to the forefront of our projects. Prior to SISO, Ahmad served as a Principal Engineer at a chemical plant in Pasadena, TX, where he oversaw plant automation, SCADA systems, and OT networks. His career journey includes roles as a control system field engineer for gas turbines and a tenure at General Electric, focusing on the development of LMS100 control systems. Outside of work, Ahmad is a passionate soccer fan and enjoys spending quality time with his children.

Javier Humani brings a wealth of expertise to SISO since joining in May of 2023, in the role of IoT Data Engineer. Holding a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas in Austin, and an M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Javier’s academic journey is marked by excellence. With a penchant for designing cloud-based data architectures, managing data lakes, and leveraging languages like SQL, Python, and R, Javier excels in transforming data for business analysis and machine learning solutions, all while adhering to agile practices for Data Ops and Dev Ops. At SISO, Javier’s expertise shines through in managing IoT devices nationwide, streamlining Gas Turbine data streams via Azure, and spearheading the development of analytics solutions using tools like PowerBI and Grafana. His research and development on historical data promises future breakthroughs in classification and regression modeling. Prior to SISO, Javier spent nine years at Schlumberger, culminating in a role as a Data Scientist for their OneSubsea Segment. Outside the data world, Javier’s passion lies in salsa dancing, a hobby he’s embraced for over a decade, even collaborating with his wife on partner work routines.

Andy James began his journey at SISO as a Summer Intern in June 2022, swiftly transitioning into the role of Full-Time Controls System Engineer. Andy is currently enrolled at the University of Houston’s Cullen College of Engineering, and will be graduating with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology in Fall 2024. With a focus on HMI software and Gas Turbine control logic, Andy has been instrumental in developing and implementing SISO’s cybersecurity policies. Outside of work, Andy is a passionate 3D printing enthusiast with an Etsy shop

Courtney Koko joined SISO in September 2024 as a Senior Software Engineer, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience in software design and cloud computing solutions. A graduate of the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Courtney is passionate about developing secure, efficient, and scalable applications.

His expertise lies in optimizing software performance, ensuring robust security measures, and leveraging cloud platforms to deliver seamless scalability tailored to modern business demands.

Before joining SISO, Courtney honed his skills as a Software Engineer in the insurance industry, where he gained valuable experience building systems to address complex business challenges.

Outside of the office, Courtney enjoys modifying and racing vehicles—a hobby that fuels his love of precision and performance both on and off the track.