AFAM: Hello, Benjamin and thank you very much for finding the time to answer our questions. You are currently helping a new Central group president, Mathilde Godard, build and maintain a Houston-based (and even broader, Texas-based) Gadz group. Please tell us a few words about how it is going so far.
Benjamin: The saying goes, 'Everything is bigger in Texas,' and with the number of Gadz'Arts spread across multiple industries, cities, and stages of life, keeping track of the community as a whole can be a challenge.
To address this, we are organizing different types of events, from casual gatherings to more professional networking opportunities. We are already seeing many new faces and different people showing up depending on the type of event.
Whether it is reconnecting with Gadz'Arts who have been temporarily away from the community or welcoming new VIEs and students pursuing dual-degree programs with Texas universities, it is always a great opportunity to reconnect with the fraternity that links us all together.
AFAM: You are also one of AFAM Shasta mentors, helping the Shasta program thrive. Thank you for that! Any other non-profit experience you can remember of, especially when you were still a student at Arts et Metiers school?
Benjamin: I wish I had known about the SHASTA program during my own studies in the United States, so anything I can do to help promote and support it is highly motivating. Being a mentor is simply a way to share my experience with students looking for internships or opportunities in the USA.
Navigating a different educational system and culture can be intimidating, so I hope to provide useful guidance and help our future engineers succeed in this country.
During my time at Arts et Métiers, I was involved in several student-led activities and community initiatives, although what I cherish most are the friendships and experiences that taught me the importance of teamwork, leadership, and helping others.
I have always believed that professional success comes with a responsibility to give back, whether through mentoring, alumni engagement, or supporting the next generation of engineers.
AFAM: You are a Sr. Manager Technical Sales at PropWR. Could you please tell us about your current job and the company you work for?
Benjamin: I am currently a Senior Manager in Technical Sales at PROPWR, a company focused on behind-the-meter power generation and microgrids.
My role sits at the intersection of engineering, sales, and project execution. I work closely with customers to understand their operational requirements, evaluate technical solutions, and develop commercial structures that help bring complex power projects to life.
I do not do what many would consider 'traditional engineering' work anymore, but I rely every day on the multidisciplinary education we benefited from as Gadz'Arts. Being able to understand the fundamentals of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, software, and business is essential to seeing the bigger picture and providing expertise that is not always easy to find from American people.
AFAM: Please tell us a bit more about your beginnings in the United States.
Benjamin: My journey started when I first set foot in Atlanta for my Master's degree at Georgia Tech. Before the semester even started, we rented a convertible Ford Mustang and went on a road trip across the American West. As for the studies themselves, if you have gone through the classes préparatoires system in France, you will probably find the American academic system easily manageable.
After completing my Master's degree, a fellow Gadz'Art called me about an internship opportunity in Houston. After several visas, a VIE assignment, and some consulting work, I now finally consider myself a local.
Looking back, not much has changed. I still enjoy road trips with friends and still get the same excitement every time I explore a state I have never visited before.
AFAM: You live in Houston, Texas. Please tell us what activities you enjoy the most during your free time?
Benjamin: Texas is almost a country of its own. The lifestyle took some getting used to, but I am now the proud owner of a cowboy hat and boots.
Joking aside, Houston is a large and diverse city with endless suburbs, but also endless things to discover. It is well known for its food scene, including a Michelin-starred barbecue restaurant, but there are also plenty of indoor and outdoor activities to enjoy.
It is also a great place to be based, especially when you feel the need to escape the flat landscapes of the 'Third Coast' and explore somewhere new.
AFAM: We are in 2026! 19 years for American Friends of Arts et Metiers and still counting! What would you wish for AFAM today in 2026?
Benjamin: My wish for AFAM is to continue growing as a bridge between generations and between Gadz'Arts communities across North America. From helping newcomers through SHASTA and other programs to reconnecting alumni who may have drifted away from the network, the strength of Arts et Métiers has always been its people.
I am looking forward to future events, Gadz'Meets, and other opportunities to bring alumni together and continue sharing the values of solidarity, fraternity, and mutual support that define our community.
Pictures: courtesy of Benjamin
Please read other interviews in our "Giving back to your community" series:
Interview with Eric Benhamou (Ai 172)
Interview with Michel Vulpillat (Ch 183)
Interview with Jean-Luc Nauleau (An 81)
Interview with Jérémy Berros ( Li 206)
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