“We are very excited to be honoring Marianne as a distinguished alumna this year,” said Dr. Richard Schoephoerster, college dean.  “She is very deserving of this honor, and the timing is related to her wrapping up a very impactful career building the Nexus Engineering Group to a highly successful engineering firm with phenomenal growth in recent years, and her long-term engagement with the WCE with the Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Department and culminating now with helping us establish the Project Delivery Institute.”

Corrao is Executive Vice President and co-founder of Nexus Engineering Group, Inc., headquartered in Cleveland, with offices in Toledo, Chicago, and Midland, Michigan. She co-founded the company with business partner Jeff Herzog in 2005.  Now, in its 20^th year, Nexus has grown to nearly 250 professional employees, providing a full range of engineering and design services, along with project and construction management expertise in the oil, chemical, and utility industries.

Early in her career, Corrao worked for the Standard Oil Company Lima Refinery (before Standard Oil was purchased by BP), and later, a local engineering company. In 2002, she relocated to Houston, Texas for a position at industrial gas supplier, Praxair. In 2004, BP contacted Corrao and Herzog, who also worked at Praxair, with a business proposition.  “They needed people with our skill sets to help them with extensive refinery upgrades they wanted to pursue.  That gave us the opportunity to create Nexus Engineering Group.”

Corrao is indebted to the university’s CO-OP Program for providing her with the tools to succeed in an engineering career.

“What really stood out to me, and made a lasting impact was the University’s Cooperative Education program.  That's where I really got to see the practical hands-on application of the things I was learning in theory in engineering school. It was the co-op program that helped confirm my career choice.”

With the ever-changing advancements in technology, regardless of the field of study, the challenges of problem solving Corrao encountered during her college years may greatly differ from those facing students today.  To that, she offers the following advice:

“For students currently pursuing an engineering degree, stick with it and work hard. It's a tough curriculum, but it's so rewarding. And stay curious. That's what engineers do. We're always asking questions. We ask ourselves why, and we also ask ourselves why not? If you always have those two things in mind, you'll have a lot of success when you try to answer those questions.”

While running a company with more than 200 employees offers little leisure time, Corrao manages to make time for hobbies and other relaxing activities.

“I enjoy gardening; it's one of my passions. I have a nice-sized vegetable garden in my yard, and I also have a rain garden with native flowers,” said Corrao. “I'm also a boater; I have a 21-foot ranger tugboat. I keep it in the Maumee River right outside of Perrysburg, Ohio. I currently serve as the Vice Commodore of the Perrysburg Boat Club.”

During her time at Cleveland State University, Corrao played tennis for one year.  “It was a little tough to do - between co-oping and my engineering curriculum - to remain a student athlete. Unfortunately, I didn't continue playing tennis, but is one of my favorite sports,”

Corrao is both honored and humbled to be the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award. 

“My hope is to continue to represent the university well and to stay engaged.”