About Dependable Engines Association

Ray McFall is the founding President of the Dependable Engines Association. He was installed at the incorporation of the organization on September 11, 2024. 

Ray retired from Pratt & Whitney in May of 2025 after 19 years with UTC and RTX. He joined Hamilton Sundstrand in 2006 managing aftermarket business and programs. He then moved into the role of Director of Supplier Quality for the newly formed UTC Aerospace Systems in 2012 prior to arriving at Pratt & Whitney in the summer of 2017. Ray arrived at Pratt & Whitney to assume the role of lead for Strategic Plans and Assessments where he ensured P&W Military Engines had a strong relationship with all U.S. military services and industrial partners. Ray retired from the role of lead for positioning Pratt & Whitney in emerging and disruptive markets.

Prior to joining UTC, Ray served as a Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement deploying to Iraq and Jordan supporting Rule of Law and Police Development programs. And, prior to that, he served as an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps, serving in various capacities including senior Marine Corps Social Aide in the White House, ceremonial company commander at Marine Barracks, Washington, DC, and Future Operations staff of I MEF during the planning and execution of Operation Iraqi Freedom, prior to retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in the reserves.

Ray earned a Bachelor of Aviation Management degree from Auburn University, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Connecticut.

Tenell “Tiger” Rhodes has more than 25 years of experience in global defense contracting and within the aerospace and defense industry. After serving many years in executive leadership in business development and program management for several small manufacturing and engineering companies in the Greater Hartford area, he was hired for a role within P&W Military Engines Program Management Excellence.

As an aviation enthusiast, Tiger joined the Dependable Engines Association (DEA) shortly after being hired in 2023. As the treasurer of the DEA Board of Directors, he has maintained the financials and helps with organizing and promoting events along with other archiving activities. 

Tiger earned his BS degree in Business and Engineering Management and his MS degree in Business Management from Charter Oak State College (COSC). He is a professor at the same college as well as Connecticut State Community College Capital Campus teaching Business and English Composition courses, among others.

In the community, Tiger is an ordained minister at Abundant Life Tabernacle of Hartford. He is also an active board member of the COSC Alumni Association and regular American Red Cross blood platelet and plasma donor, among other community outreach and empowerment initiatives.

Tiger lives in the Greater Hartford area with his wife and children. He enjoys walking outdoors, traveling, and having fun with his family and many friends.

Betty Higgins has worked at Pratt & Whitney since 2007. She began her career in EcoPower Engine Wash in Commercial Engines. In 2010, she took a role in Military Engines Program Support (now known as CAEM). She has supported a variety of ME Programs with increased responsibility and currently supports the Office of the President along with managing the new CAEM team.

Betty joined the Dependable Engines Team when it was first formed in 2018. In her Communications role on the team, she has supported monthly informational webinars, special events and historical articles published bi-weekly during Covid. Betty is on the Dependable Engines Board of Directors as vice president. 

Betty received her BS in Business at Bryant University and completed her Masters in Management in 2009 from Albertus Magnus College.

On weekends, Betty coaches folks recently diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma (a cancer in the bone marrow) that may be facing a Stem Cell Transplant. She is also a Justice of the Peace and enjoys performing wedding ceremonies.

Betty lives in South Windsor with her husband. She enjoys bike riding, traveling, and spending time with her family, grandson, friends.

Debbie Petrelle has worked at Pratt & Whitney since 2019 and she is fairly new to the aerospace industry.  Soon after joining the company as a business software product manager, she became a member of the Engineering Knowledge Management team.  In this role, she began managing the Pratt & Whitney Archives and developed an enthusiastic interest in the incredible history of Pratt & Whitney.  

Debbie holds a Bachelor's degree in English, an MBA, and is currently enrolled in a Masters of Archives and Records Administration.  

She joined the Dependable Engines Association in 2020 and servers as the secretary and a member of the Board of Directors for the organization.  She enjoys streaming and recording the organization's educational webinars, planning events, and serving as co-chair of the membership committee.   

In her free time, Debbie loves nothing more than spending time with her family, traveling, gardening, and hiking.