NSPE President Texas Leadership - Texas Society of Professional Engineers

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NSPE President Texas Leadership

History of Texas Leadership in NSPE Presidency

Throughout the history of the organization, many past presidents of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE) have gone on to serve as president of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE). Thank you to all of our past presidents of both TSPE and NSPE for going above and beyond in your dedication to the engineering profession.

2025-26

Julia M. Harrod, P.E., F.NSPE

Travis Chapter - Austin, TX

Julia M. Harrod, P.E., F.NSPE graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1990 with a degree in Architecture, and from the University of Texas at Austin in 1994 with a Master's degree in Engineering. Julia has been heavily involved in the organization since 2001, serving in numerous leadership roles at the State and National level.

Notable NSPE/TSPE Achievements:

2007: TEF Distinguished Engineer of the Foundation
2011-12: TSPE President
2011-12: PE Leadership Institute Alumni - Class 1
2012: NSPE Professional Engineers in Private Practice Merit Award
2013: TSPE Travis Chapter Engineer of the Year
2015: TSPE Engineer of the Year
2025-26: NSPE President

Julia M. Harrod, P.E., F.NSPE
Austin, TX

2021-22

Rick J. Guerra, P.E., F.NSPE

Travis Chapter - Austin, TX

Rick J. Guerra, P.E., F.NSPE graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1982 with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, and in 1988 with a Master's degree in Engineering. Rick joined the organization in 1994, following in the footsteps of his father Jose I. Guerra, P.E., F.NSPE, who served as the 1992-93 TSPE President.

Notable NSPE/TSPE Achievements:

2010: TSPE Travis Chapter Engineer of the Year
2011-12: PE Leadership Institute Alumni - Class 1
2012: TEF Distinguished Engineer of the Foundation
2014: TSPE President's Award
2016-17: TSPE President
2021-22: NSPE President

Rick J. Guerra, P.E., F.NSPE
Austin, TX

2020-21

Tricia H. Hatley, P.E., F.NSPE

Oklahoma City, OK

Tricia H. Hatley, P.E., F.NSPE graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1993 with a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering. Trish became a member of the organization in 1993 and previously was based out of Arlington, TX as a Preston Trail Chapter member. She continues to remain involved in the organization andd currently serves as the NSPE House of Delegates Representative for the Oklahoma Society of Professional Engineers.

Notable NSPE/TSPE Achievements:

2010: TSPE Preston Trail Chapter Engineer of the Year
2011: TEF Distinguished Engineer of the Foundation
2011-12: PE Leadership Institute Alumni - Class 1
2013-14: TSPE President
2015: TSPE Excellence Award
2020-21: NSPE President
2025-26: National MATHCOUNTS Chair

Tricia H. Hatley, P.E., F.NSPE
Oklahoma City, OK

2012-13

Dan J. Wittliff, P.E., F.NSPE

Travis Chapter - Austin, TX

Dan J. Wittliff, P.E., F.NSPE graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1972 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and joined the organization that same year. In 2002 he retired from the US Air Force as a Colonel. Dan was instrumental in forming the Software Engineering Licensure Consortium in collaboration with NSPE, IEEE, and TBPELS. He is the only person who has received three NSPE President's Awards.

Notable NSPE/TSPE Achievements:

1998: TSPE Engineer of the Year
2001: TEF Distinguished Engineer of the Foundation
2002-03: TSPE President
2012-13: NSPE President
2017: NSPE Award
2010/2016/2018: NSPE President's Award

Dan J. Wittliff, P.E., F.NSPE
Austin, TX

2001-02

Daniel D. Clinton, Jr., P.E., F.NSPE

Greater Houston Chapter - Houston, TX

Daniel D. Clinton, Jr., P.E., F.NSPE graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering and from Stanford University with a Master's degree in Civil Engineering, and became a member of the organization in 1953. He served in the U.S. Air Force and the Texas Air National Guard for 32 years, retiring in 1984 as a Colonel. He went on to become the senior vice president at Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam.

Notable NSPE/TSPE Achievements:

1993: TSPE Engineer of the Year
1993-94: TSPE President
1994: TEF Distinguished Engineer of the Foundation
2001-02: NSPE President
2015: NSPE Award

Daniel D. Clinton, Jr., P.E., F.NSPE
Houston, TX

1992-93

Joe Paul Jones, P.E.

Fort Worth Chapter - Fort Worth, TX

Joe Paul Jones, P.E. graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1959 with a Bachelor's degree in Architectural Engineering, and would later become a partner at Freese & Nichols, Inc. In addition to the variety of roles/awards listed below, Jones also served as chapter president, a director of TSPE/NSPE, TSPE regional vice president, and chaired half a dozen TSPE committees.

Notable NSPE/TSPE Achievements:

1964: TSPE Fort Worth Chapter President
1979: TSPE Fort Worth Chapter/TSPE Engineer of the Year
1981-82: TSPE President
1986: TEF Distinguished Engineer of the Foundation
1987: NSPE Treasurer
1992-93: NSPE President

Joe Paul Jones, P.E.
Fort Worth, TX

1987-88

Charles H. Samson, Jr., P.E., F.NSPE

Brazos Chapter - College Station, TX

Charles H. Samson, Jr., P.E., F.NSPE graduated from Notre Dame University with a Bachelor's degree, and later a Master's degree in Civil Engineering, and graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Ph.D. in Structural Engineering. Charles was a professor in Civil and Aerospace Engineering at Texas A&M, and served as the head of the Department of Civil Engineering for many years, and as the university's president in 1980.

Notable NSPE/TSPE Achievements:

1973-74: TSPE President
1981: TEF Distinguished Engineer of the Foundation
1987-88: NSPE President
2000: NSPE Award

Charles H. Samson, Jr., P.E., F.NSPE
College Station, TX

1978-79

Robert L. Nichols, P.E., F.NSPE

Fort Worth Chapter - Arlington, TX

Robert "Bob" L. Nichols, P.E., F.NSPE graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Civil Engineering and served as a longtime executive of Freese & Nichols, following in his father's footsteps. As NSPE president, he was responsible for making major updates to NSPE's Code of Ethics and later served on the NSPE Board for Ethical Review.

Notable NSPE/TSPE Achievements:

1959: TSPE Fort Worth Chapter President
1965-66: TSPE President
1967: TSPE Fort Worth Chapter Engineer of the Year
1967: Member of the Steering Committee that founded the Texas Engineering Foundation
1978-79: NSPE President
1979: TEF Distinguished Engineer of the Foundation
1989: NSPE Award

Robert L. Nichols, P.E., F.NSPE
Arlington, TX

1975-76

Harry E. Bovay, Jr., P.E., F.NSPE

San Jacinto Chapter - Houston, TX

Harry E. Bovay, Jr., P.E., F.NSPE graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering and was founder/CEO of H.E. Bovay Jr. Consulting Engineers. He was a member of the organization for over six decades and was among the first class of members to be named a NSPE Fellow.

Notable NSPE/TSPE Achievements:

1967: TSPE San Jacinto Chapter Engineer of the Year
1967-68: TSPE President
1967: Member of the Steering Committee that founded the Texas Engineering Foundation
1972: NSPE's Professional Engineers in Private Practice Chairman's Award
1974: TSPE Engineer of the Year - the first recipient
1975-76: NSPE President
1980: TEF Distinguished Engineer of the Foundation
1987: NSPE Award

Harry E. Bovay, Jr., P.E., F.NSPE
Houston, TX

1965-66

J. Neils Thompson, P.E.

Travis Chapter - Austin, TX

J. Neils Thompson, P.E. was a longtime, respected engineering professor at the University of Texas at Austin and was inducted into the Texas Longhorns Hall of Honor in 1979. He played a key role in the formation and direction of the Balcones Research Center, now known as the Pickle Research Campus. The center features the "J. Neils Thompson Commons" in honor of his legacy. As a member of the organization, he served in numerous leadership roles.

Notable NSPE/TSPE Achievements:

1953: TSPE President
1960: TSPE Travis Chapter Engineer of the Year
1965-66: NSPE President
1967: Member of the Steering Committee that founded the Texas Engineering Foundation
1979: TEF Distinguished Engineer of the Foundation

J. Neils Thompson, P.E.
Austin, TX

1960-61

Noah E. Hull, P.E.

San Jacinto Chapter - Houston, TX

Noah E. Hull, P.E. was the former head of Hughes Gun Company, a subsidiary of Hughes Tool Company. Noah put many years of service into NSPE's Professional Engineers in Industry (PEI) practice division, including serving on a sub-committee on industry and public utilities.

Notable NSPE/TSPE Achievements:

1959: TSPE San Jacinto Chapter Engineer of the Year
1960-61: NSPE President

Noah E. Hull, P.E.
Houston, TX

1953-54

T. Carr Forrest, Jr., P.E.

Dallas, TX

T. Carr Forrest, Jr., P.E. was a civil engineer based out of Dallas and president of the engineering consulting firm Forrest & Cotton, Inc. Much of his engineering work revolved around addressing issues with water supply, shortages, drainage, sanitation, etc. In 1951 he served as president of the ASCE Texas Section and appointed a committee to put together the first comprehensive water policy for Texas.

Notable NSPE/TSPE Achievements:

1951: NSPE Director
1953-54: NSPE President

T. Carr Forrest, Jr., P.E.
Dallas, TX

1941-42

John W. Beretta, P.E.

Bexar Chapter - San Antonio, TX

John W. Beretta, P.E. was a San Antonio engineer and owner of J. W. Beretta Engineering, Inc. His company was actively involved in regional infrastructure and road projects, including early rigid-frame construction. He is the first charter member of TSPE and was instrumental in the creation and expansion of the society. He also foresaw the creation of TSPE's second local chapter, the Bexar Chapter.

Notable NSPE/TSPE Achievements:

1936-37: TSPE National Director
1938-39: TSPE Bexar Chapter President
1941-42: NSPE President
1959: TSPE Bexar Chapter Engineer of the Year
1970: NSPE National Award for Meritorious Service to the Engineering Profession

John W. Beretta, P.E.
San Antonio, TX

RETURN TO THE 90TH CELEBRATION PAGE

Calendar more

8/5/2026
Professional Engineers Day

8/20/2026
TSPE Executive Committee Meeting

8/20/2026 » 8/21/2026
TSPE Leadership Conference

10/15/2026
TEF Board of Trustees Meeting

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