BS Natural Gas Engineering, 1958 (MBA, T.C.U.)

Growing up in a farming family in Odem, Texas, a strong work ethic was central to John’s life. Before even graduating from Texas A&I, John worked as a jug hustler, roughneck, and roustabout – a solid foundation for a career in the oil and gas industry. John’s work history includes management and leadership positions at Sunray Mid-Continent Oil, the Sid Richardson /Perry Bass Companies, Texas Oil & Gas Corporation, Gulf Energy and Development, and LoVaca Gathering Co. He began his long affiliation with Valero in 1980. John was an industry pioneer, introducing such things as commodity hedging, introducing the “economic out” contract clause in processing agreements, and eliminating “lost and unaccounted” products in NGL plant operations. John was an original member of the Propane Education and Research Council, and highly active in Gas Processors Association activities. (GPA is now GPA Midstream Association). John was one of GPA’s earliest and loudest voices that encouraged the association to be more proactive in legislative and regulatory matters and is credited with getting a GPA budget line item increase from nearly nothing to more than $100,000 to help with lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill. A crowning achievement in his career was being presented with the Gas Processors Association Hanlon Award. The award considered the highest honor from the GPA Midstream Association, recognizes outstanding individual career achievements and contributions toward the advancement of the midstream industry. In 1997, John retired as President of Valero Hydrocarbons, culminating a long career that touched every aspect of the energy industry. Today, John serves on the Frank H. Dotterweich College of Engineering Natural Gas Industry Advisory Board.

BS Electrical Engineering, 1975

Upon graduation, David joined Union Carbide as a Control Systems Engineer. He led the installation of a microprocessor-based flow computer, the first of its kind in the Seadrift plant. In 1998, David served as the Y2K Project Manager for the Seadrift Plant and his location was the first of the Union Carbide Plants to declare “Ready for Y2K”. When the Union Carbide / Dow Chemical merger occurred, David was selected as a manager for the new Maintenance Shared Services organization and led the implementation of empowered workgroups. David became a Six Sigma Black Belt for Dow’s Global Maintenance and his global projects led him to collaborate with Dow engineers in Italy, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Thailand, and Australia. Upon retirement from Dow, David started a second career at USAA as a Senior Business Architect, and later as a Six Sigma Black Belt. Now in this second retirement, David works as a part-time Lean Six Sigma and business process engineering consultant for an intellectual property law firm in San Antonio. In 2017 David and his colleague, James T. White, established a Javelina Engineers Facebook group, which now has more than 715 members. While working with the TAMUK Tau Beta Pi Chapter and College of Engineering faculty, David and James re-established the annual College of Engineering dinner. David and his wife Donna, a 1975 Texas A&I graduate, have been married 38 years. They are members of the TAMUK President’s Circle, and David serves on the TAMUK Honors College Advisory Board.

BS Electrical Engineering, 1961; MS EE 1963 (Ph.D., Electrical Engineering, Case-Western Reserve, 1967)

Following the completion of his doctorate, Ernest returned to Texas A&I to join the engineering faculty. Within a few short years, he became the youngest Dean of the Dotterweich College of Engineering. After ten years on the faculty, Ernest left for the private sector, joining Alpha Electronics Corporation as Vice-President for Research and Development. He developed a precision angular measurement transducer and led the development of a laser distance measuring system for surveying applications. This was one of the first microprocessor-based surveying. In 1983, Dr. Franke joined Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) in San Antonio. Ernest retired from full time-work in 2007 but continues part-time as a Technical Advisor in the Intelligent Systems Division. Ernest is a member of Tau Beta Pi, Eta Kappa Nu, and a Life Senior Member of the Institute of IEEE. Ernest led a team that received a grant to develop Cyber Security exhibits for the San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology. He has numerous publications related to machine vision, robotics, manufacturing, and inspection systems, holds eight patents, and received an R&D 100 award for the development of the DSL 3-D Imaging System. He has been married to his wife Doris, also a Javelina graduate, for 55 years. He and Doris created the Emerson Korges and John R. Guinn Book Scholarship Fund to honor Professors Korges and Guinn, his University colleagues who brought the first computer to campus.

M.S., Chemical Engineering, 1981

Theresa W. Chang is an attorney and special commissioner of the eminent domain administrative hearing in Houston.  Governor Abbott recently appointed Theresa to serve on the Texas Commission on the Arts in September 2019.  She previously served as the Judge of Harris County Civil Court.  In 2017, Theresa was rated the top judge of Harris County Civil Courts by Houston Bar Association in its judicial poll.

Theresa has tried hundreds of bench and jury trials during her legal career.  She served on the Commission for Lawyer Discipline of State Bar of Texas, as well as the Board of Directors of both State Bar of Texas and Asian American Bar Association.

Theresa was a registered Professional Engineer prior to earning her law degree from the South Texas College of Law.  Prior to being elected as the Judge of Harris County Civil Court, Theresa served as Associate Municipal Judge of City of Houston, Harris County District Clerk, and Division Chief of Harris County Attorney’s Office.

Theresa was appointed to the Board of Regents of the University of Houston by then-Governor George W. Bush (1997), and has served as President of various community organizations, such as Texas Executive Women and Asian Chamber of Commerce. 

Currently, Theresa is a member of the Board of Directors of the South Texas College of Law, the Chinese Community Center, and the Board of Trustees of the Houston Grand Opera.  She has served on the Board of many other organizations, such as the YMCA, the American Leadership Forum, the Strake Foundation, the Houston Area Urban League, and the Texas Governor’s Commission for Women.

Because of Theresa’s professionalism and community involvement, she has been honored as 2020 Women of Distinction by ABC Channel 13; with the George Bush Award from the Asian Pacific American Heritage Association (2016); Impact Award from the Asian American Bar Association (2012); Distinguished Alumni from Texas A&M University-Kingsville (2011); 50 Most Influential Women in Houston by Women Magazine (2010); and Women on the Move by Texas Executive Women (2005).

Theresa and Dr. Peter Chang have been married for 36 years and are proud parents of Winston and Spencer.  They believe deeply in giving back to the community through serving as gala chairs or honorary chairs of many charitable organizations. Most recently, they served as honorary chairs of Asia Society’s Tiger Ball and Hope Clinic Gala in 2018.  In 2019, they were honored with the John Connor Humanitarian Award from Operation Smile and the Top 20 Power Couple Impact Maker Award from CKW LUXE, a philanthropic, inspirational, and quality living magazine.

B.S., Electrical Engineering, 1957

Randall A. Odom began his 40-year career in the oil and gas industry in June 1957, immediately after graduating from Texas A&I University with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. He was commissioned at graduation as a 2^nd Lieutenant Distinguished Military Graduate in the Army Signal Corps. He retired as a Captain in 1965.

His military service while at the university included: ROTC Colonel, Commander of the Corps of Cadets (1955-56); Outstanding Cadet at Ft. Gordon, GA Signal Corps Summer Camp (1955): Bronze, Silver and Gold Armed Forces Communications Awards (1954, 1955, 1956); King's Rifles Precision Drill Team (1953-1955). In 2011, Governor Rick Perry appointed Randall an Admiral in the Texas Navy.

He has served as Vice President of three corporations specializing in large mainframe supercomputing centers as a designer, planner, negotiator, construction manager, buyer, staffer and manager of exploration data processing computing centers in Houston, Dallas, Midland, Oklahoma City, Denver; and internationally in London and Woking, England; Hannover, Germany; Moscow, Russia; Oslo, Stavanger and Harstad, Norway; Delft and Den Haag, Holland; Vienna, Austria; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Johannesburg, South Africa; Tripoli, Libya; Calgary, Canada; Caracas, Venezuela; and Buenos Aries, Argentina.

Randall also served as President of CSS Corporation, a computer services corporation, and Partner/Vice President of Third Coast Technologies, a printer solutions and office supply company with an ISO-certified laser printer cartridge manufacturing plant in Richardson, Texas.

Through the 1980s and 1990s, he was recognized by international oil and gas exploration clients, peers of other exploration companies and by computer manufacturers as a supercomputing expert in the field of seismic data processing, particularly 3-Dimensional seismic surveys. As such, he authored and presented technical papers at oil and gas conventions and meetings in North and South America., Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. His career provided professional honors such as Emeritus Member of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists and the Geophysical Society of Houston

He currently is Broker-Owner of Randall Odom, Realtors LLC in San Antonio, Texas

Some of the notable university recognitions for Randall include: established the Randall and Joyce Odom Endowed Math and Science Scholarship at Texas A&M University-Kingsville (2008); Distinguished Alumnus, Texas A&M University-Kingsville (2009); President’s Circle at Texas A&M University-Kingsville (2007-Present); TAMUK Engineering Dean’s Leadership Board; Member of the Tau Beta Pi Honorary Engineering Fraternity and was actively involved in the Texas A&I Alumni Association.

B.S., Civil Engineering, 1982

Gene is President of San Antonio-based Pape-Dawson Engineers. In this position, he provides technical management and leadership to the firm’s management team and its employees. From a staff of two 50 years ago, Pape-Dawson now employs more than 450 professionals and has grown into one of the largest and most respected engineering firms in Texas. 
Gene’s commitment to the engineering profession has been recognized with many accolades including Texas Society of Professional Engineers, Bexar Chapter, Young Engineer of the Year (1991) and the Engineer of the Year (1999); National Association of Homebuilders Member Award and American Society of Landscape Architect Environmental Stewardship Award (2002); Real Estate Council of Texas Philip M. Barshop Founder’s Award (1999).
He serves the profession with memberships in ASCE; NSPE; TSPE, Bexar Chapter, State Director; Professional Engineers in Private Practice; Greater San Antonio Builders Association; and Associated General Contractors of Texas.
Gene’s service to San Antonio is seen in such organizations as: “The Dawson Family” induction into the San Antonio Business Hall of Fame by Junior Achievement; various committees for the City of San Antonio; Real Estate Council of San Antonio; Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce; North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce; UTSA Road Runner Foundation Board; Cancer Therapy and Research Center; Bandera First Bank; San Antonio Christian Schools; Bank of San Antonio Board of Directors; Alamo Bowl, Chairman and Board member; Real Estate Council of Texas; Bexar Land Trust, Inc.; San Antonio Water System; Frost National Bank; Northeast YMCA of San Antonio.
Throughout the impressive growth of Pape-Dawson, the firm continues to serve its clients with integrity, competence, hard work and quality service. Gene also serves his alma mater with the same principles. His university service includes President’s Leadership Council, President’s Circle, President Legacy Council, Lifetime Member of the Javelina Alumni Association. He is a member of the Legacy Society, which recognizes university philanthropists. In recognition of Gene’s Javelina Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni induction, Pape-Dawson, Sam Dawson and Gene made a gift to create the Pape-Dawson Engineers, Inc./Eugene H. Dawson, Jr., P.E. Endowed Engineering Scholarship. Additionally, Gene has established the Eugene H. Dawson, Jr. Endowment for Excellence in Civil Engineering. This gift was matched with Arrington funds to create the Eugene H. Dawson, Jr. Endowed Professorship in Civil Engineering. Currently, Gene is leading the most significant endeavors ever undertaken at the university by serving as the National Campaign Chair of “With You. Without Limits”, the university’s ambitious $100 million comprehensive campaign

B.S., Chemical Engineering, 1958
M.S., Natural Gas Engineering, 1958

George was born June 8, 1936, in Old Gulf, Texas. He was the youngest of four children and attended Matagorda Elementary School. He graduated from Bay City High School in 1954. After graduating from Texas A&I, George worked for Phillips Petroleum Company in Sweeny, Texas. In 1967 he went to work for Coastal States Petroleum in Corpus Christi, where he was an Operations Manager. In time he took an engineering position with Tejas Gas Corporation and in June 1979 he started working for a company that would become the Valero Refining Company. George held several management positions with Valero and at the time of his retirement in 2008, he was Senior Vice President and General Manager. His job was to plan and direct the refinery operations to maximize refinery complex reliability and efficiency and meet marketing product needs. At the time of his retirement, Valero owned thirteen refineries. George was a member of the Society of Professional Engineers for the states of Texas and Louisiana, and a member of the National and Coastal Bend American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE).
During his time in Corpus Christi, George was involved with community activities, such as: the Economic Development Corporation, Port Industries of Corpus Christi, United Way of the Coastal Bend, Corpus Christi Business Alliance, Valero Volunteer Council, Board of Trade-Port of Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, Refinery Terminal Fire Company and, Port of Corpus Christi. George worked closely with Corpus Christi Mayor Mary Rhodes to make the Mary Rhodes pipeline a reality and supply water to the City of Corpus Christi and the surrounding area. At this retirement party, we were given a key to the City of Corpus Christi by Mayor Henry Garrett. He and Barbara were voted as the Outstanding Citizens of the Year in Aransas Pass in 2007.
He is a supporter of the Ronald McDonald House, Driscoll Children’s Hospital, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas State Aquarium, Botanical Gardens, USO, Coastal Bend Food Bank, and many other charities. George is an active member of First United Methodist Church in Aransas Pass and has been a member of the Masonic Lodge in Matagorda for over sixty years.
George and Barbara have two children, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
He credits his education at Texas A&I with his success in life and has strived to help many students achieve a college education. The Kain’s are members of the Legacy Society, which recognizes university philanthropists. In 2006, George and Valero created a scholarship fund to help engineering students at Texas A&M Kingsville. Today, the Valero - George Kain Endowed Scholarship in Engineering has over $675,000 in the endowment and will provide scholarship support to deserving students for years to come. 

B.S., Natural Gas Engineering, 1950

Bob was born in Honey Grove, Texas on March 31, 1927, and was raised in a family that moved often as a result of Bob’s father working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. By the time Bob graduated from high school in Lubbock, he had attended 27 different schools. After graduation,17-year-old Bob entered the US Navy and served on a minesweeper. Upon graduation from Texas A&I, Bob started his career with Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company.
In 1954 Bob had a novel idea on a device to improve the testing procedure on differential meter recorders and as a result, a company was born. The Phoenix Testing Company became Welker Engineering Company and is known today as Welker. In 1959, Bob received his first US Patent, the revolutionary Jet Stream Control Valve, later to become the Welker Jet. For several years Bob worked for APCO and Texsteam Corporation before putting all he had behind Welker Engineering Company. The company has 88 US patents with additional patents pending. The Welker brand is known worldwide for its expertise in sampling and innovative products in the petroleum industry. Until retirement, Bob was a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas for 50 years and was recognized for that by Texas Governor Rick Perry. He worked tirelessly and traveled worldwide to grow the company to be the enterprise that it is today.
In recognition for his industry contributions, Bob received the Laurence Reid Award from the International School of Hydrocarbon Measurement in 1993, the oil and natural gas measurement industry’s highest honor. He was awarded the Exemplary Service Award from the American School of Gas Measurement Technology in 2001 and the Distinguished Committee Serviceman Award from the International School of Hydrocarbon Measurement in 2007. 
He and Shirley married in 1951 and for over 60 years were an inspiration to all who knew them. In 2012, Shirley passed away at their ranch in Washington, Texas. His children, nine grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren are his delights. Sharing his love for the outdoors with his family has provided cherished moments for the Welker clan. 
Bob was the founder of Welker; his son Brian is the current Chair and CEO; and Bob’s grandchildren are making it a successful third-generation company. Bob retired from Welker in December 2007 and continues to actively live on the Welker Star Ranch.
Bob will be honored as a Javelina Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni in October 2018. With all his many accomplishments, Bob is quick to tell you that his faith and family are the utmost in his life. Having that solid faith foundation has made him a mentor to several generations of engineers, a friend to a host of colleagues, and a person well-loved and respected in the Oil and Gas industry and beyond. 

B.S., Natural Gas Engineering, 1987
M.S., Chemical Engineering, 1994

Since receiving his engineering degrees from Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Hassan has three decades of academic and industrial experience with notable contributions and leadership positions. After receiving his doctorate in 2001 in chemical engineering from the University of South Florida, Hassan joined the chemical engineering faculty at Qatar University. He was appointed as a department head in 2003. In 2005, he was promoted to be the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the College of Engineering. In 2006, Hassan was appointed as Dean of the College of Engineering. In 2007, he founded the Gas Processing Center, served as its founding director, articulated its vision and established its mission. He took the lead in strategically positioning the center within the local and international gas industry. Hassan has been instrumental in reforming the chemical engineering department as well as the College of Engineering at Qatar University. Following years of industrial experience, in January 2017, he returned to Qatar University as the Vice President for Academic Affairs, a position from which he recently retired. Hassan’s main research interests involve systems integration, process design, modeling, simulation, optimization, and curriculum reform. He served as a member of the National Committee on Climate Change. He is also a member of the Global Engineering Deans Council. Hassan has also been actively involved in various industrial sectors including the chemical, petrochemical, and gas processing, and environmental industries. He also has executive experience in real estate development. Since 2008, he has held leading positions in management with Qatari Diar Investment Company and Barwa Real Estate. Hassan has successfully led newly structured operations.

B.S., Petroleum & Natural Gas Engineering, 1961

After earning his degree from Texas A&I University in 1961, Allen began his career in the natural gas industry with Tenneco Oil Co. in Agua Dulce and moved up to Chief Plant Engineer for the company in Houston. He later went to work for Mitchell Energy and Development Corporation in The Woodlands for nearly 30 years. He retired as President of Mitchell Gas Services L.P. in 2002. He was one of the first engineers to use a simulation program to model and optimize plant operations with Tenneco. While there, he helped design and construct one of the first molecular sieve treating plants in LaPorte, Texas. A molecular sieve treating plant purifies gas streams at the molecular level. As chairman of the joint American Petroleum Institute (API) and GPA Task Group on Gas Plant Operations, he helped write one of the first checklists on gas plant operations. While at Mitchell Energy & Development Corp., he and fellow Texas A&M University-Kingsville Distinguished Alumnus Bruce Withers started and grew a gas processing-2-division to over 60,000 barrels per day, equal in size to the company’s production division. He studied under Dr. Frank H. Dotterweich, founder of the natural gas engineering department—the first of its kind in the nation. Dotterweich was known on campus as “Doc,” and students that studied under him were known as “Doc’s Boys.” “Being one of ‘Doc’s Boys’ has played a big part in my career,” said Tarbutton. “Not only did we get a great education at the beginning, but we also were taught a great work ethic. There are so many A&I grads in the industry that it’s made for a lifelong fraternity.” He was honored with the Gas Processors Association (GPA) Hanlon Award. The award is known as the highest honor of the gas processing industry, and one of the top-ranking awards of the petroleum industry. Allen participated in a number of professional organizations and activities during his career, including chair of the GPA Technical Committee and as GPA president. He is a charter member of the Church at Alden Bridge and is a member of the leadership team. He served as a member of the board of directors for the Montgomery County United Way, where he previously served as Pacesetters Chairman, Campaign Chairman and Chairman of the Board. At his alma mater, Allen served on the board of directors for the Javelina Alumni Association from 1980 to 1987. His service included terms as Second Vice President, First Vice President and President. He also served on the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Foundation Board of Directors from 2007 to 2011. In 2007, Texas A&M University-Kingsville honored him as a Distinguished Alumnus.

William Bill Stevens graduated from Texas A&I in 1958 with a degree in petroleum and natural gas engineering. Bill had a successful career in the oil and gas industry, serving in many executive roles. Bill began working for Exxon Mobil in 1958 and during his career held various executive positions in the Exxon organization, including executive assistant to the president of Exxon Corporation, managing director of Esso U.K. Limited and executive vice president of Esso Europe, Exxon's former European division. Stevens was named the president of Exxon Company, the U.S.A. in 1988. After 34 years of service to Exxon, Bill retired in 1992. Bill came out of retirement to serve as President and COO of Mitchell Energy and Development in 1994 until retiring again in 2002. He served on many boards during his career including Mitchell Energy and EOG Resources. As an active alumnus, Bill is a member of the President’s Circle and has contributed to the Dotterweich Memorial Fund at the College of Engineering and the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute. In recognition of his commitment to the University and his many industry accomplishments Bill was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus by the Javelina Alumni Association and in 1983.

Stevens G. Herbst has over 55 years of experience in all areas of the natural gas industry. Mr. Herbst received a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering from Texas A&I University in 1958. Presently, he serves as President of Rainbow Investments Company, a privately held company which he founded in 1977. Mr. Herbst has also been a successful entrepreneur. He was one of the founders of Midcoast Energy Resources, Inc. a publicly-traded company engaged in the natural gas transportation business, which was acquired by Enbridge, Inc. in 2001. Mr. Herbst served as Director and Vice President of Midcoast from its formation in 1992 until 1996 and remained active with the company until 2001. Prior to Midcoast, Mr. Herbst co-founded and was President of Texline Gas Company from 1985 until 1991. Texline, a natural gas pipeline and gas marketing company sold substantially all of its assets in 1991 to Mitchell Energy and Development. In addition, he co-founded TransState Gas Service Company, a natural gas marketing company that was sold in 1989 and was ultimately acquired by NIPSCO. Mr. Herbst also co-founded Esperanza Transmission Company in 1973, which later merged with Sparkman Energy Corporation. Additionally, Mr. Herbst has held Vice President and Chief Engineer positions for companies like Lone Star Gas Company, Transwestern Pipeline Company, and Coastal States Gas Producing Company. As an active alumnus, Mr. Herbst has served on the selection committee for the College of Engineering Dean and is a member of the Dean’s Leadership Board. Mr. Herbst was also a long-time trustee for the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Foundation and was President of the Javelina Alumni Association in 1979. In recognition of his commitment to the University and industry successes, he was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus in 2007. Steve and June Herbst are generous supporters of the University and have funded many endowments for the College of Engineering.

Thomas V. Shockley received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&I University in 1967. Mr. Shockley also has an MSEE degree from the University of Texas at Austin which he received in 1969. Continuing his education, Mr. Shockley attended the Harvard Advanced Management Program in 1987. Mr. Shockley began his career as Staff Engineer working for Central Power and Light Company in Corpus Christi in 1970. During his time with Central Power and Light, he also worked in system planning, marketing, and fuels and became CEO in 1987. In 1990, Mr. Shockley moved to Dallas with Central and South West Corporation, the parent company of Central Power and Light Company. Here he had oversight of the service, company, development activities, non-regulated investments, and merger and acquisition activities. From 1997 to 2000 Mr. Shockley was part of a strategic move to combine Central and South West Corporation, the parent company of Central Power and Light with American Electric Power of Columbus, Ohio (AEP) creating the largest electric utility in the United States. He served American Electric Power as Vice-Chairman and COO until his retirement in 2004. Mr. Shockley came out of retirement in 2012 to serve as CEO of El Paso Electric Company. He retired for the second time in 2015. Thomas Shockley’s relationship with the University covers many years and several generations. His mother and mother-in-law both graduated from South Texas Teacher’s College. He, his wife Dorothy, and numerous cousins graduated from Texas A&I. As an active alumnus, Mr. Shockley served on the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Board of Trustees and was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus by the Javelina Alumni Association in 2000. Mr. and Mrs. Shockley are generous supporters of the University, contributing to many funds including the President’s Circle, Javelina Club, and the College of Engineering. In support of the Boot Campaign, the Shockley's established the Dorothy and Thomas Shockley Endowment in 2007.

Wayne King graduated from Texas A&I in 1959 with a degree in petroleum and natural gas engineering. After graduating from Texas A&I, and the Javelina Battalion ROTC program, Mr. King served two years as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He returned to Texas in 1961 to begin his career with Dow Chemical in Lake Jackson, before working for Shell Oil. In 1969, King joined Valero Energy and helped them become the largest intrastate pipeline company in Texas and the largest refining corporation in the United States. King retired from Valero in 1993 as Senior Vice President and formed the energy consulting firm, Fairfield Resources. As an active alumnus, King served on the original committee that formed the first Javelina Alumni Association in the late ’60s. He served on the Alumni Board from 77 – 83 and was elected association president in 83. Also in 83, Gov. Mark White appointed King to a six-year term to the Board of Regents of the University System of South Texas which governed Texas A&I. King has served on search committees for various leadership positions across the University including President, College of Engineering Deans, and Department Chairs. He was also instrumental in the success of the University’s first capital campaign called, Building on Our Traditions. In recognition of his commitment to the University and his many industry accomplishments, King was honored as a 2004 Distinguished Alumnus by the Javelina Alumni Association. Additionally, in 2007 the University renamed the chemical and natural gas department the Wayne H. King Department of Chemical and Natural Gas Engineering.

Richard Allen Nevill was a 1942 graduate of Texas A&I earning his Bachelors of Science in Natural Gas Engineering. Mr. Nevill had a long and celebrated career in engineering that included positions with Lone Star Gas, Southern Union Gas Co., Fish Engineering Service Corp, and Houston Pipe Line from which he retired as Vice President in 1985. Immediately after retiring from Houston Pipe Line he was named the Dotterweich Chair at Texas A&I University and remained in that post until 1990. He was very involved in the Kingsville community serving on the Board of Friends for the Conner Museum and as a long-time active member of First United Methodist Church. And I should not forget that he served our country in World War II in the Army Air Forces. He and his wife Jeanne shared a long life together and raised a family, their daughter, Lynne, and two sons, Richard and Glenn. I ask that Richard’s family join me in the presentation of a plaque commemorating his induction into the Javelina Engineering Hall of Fame.

Laurence – or Larry - McNeil earned his Petroleum Engineering degree at Texas A&I in 1950. While pursuing his degree he was employed as a company pilot for the La Gloria Oil Company. He had those flying skills due to the fact that during World War II he served in the Army Air Corps, where he rose to the rank of Captain and earned several decorations, including the Air Medal and three Battle Stars. After receiving his degree, he served as a drilling engineer for La Gloria. He went on to an illustrious career in the oil and gas industry, co-founding Prado Oil & Gas Company, Corpus Christi Oil & Gas Company, and Corpus Christi Exploration Company. Mr. McNeil believed strongly in giving back to the community and he demonstrated this through his many years of dedicated service to his Church, Texas A&I, the American Red Cross, the Boy Scouts of America, and the M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute. He and his wife Kathryn – or Mimi – were married for 61 years and raised their daughter Sue and son Michael. I ask that Larry’s family join me in the presentation of a plaque commemorating his induction into the Javelina Engineering Hall of Fame.

MERLE MUCKLEROY graduated from Texas A&I University in 1958 with his Bachelors in Engineering. Merle was an all American football player with the Javelinas and served as a team captain and member of the “T” association. He was inducted into the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003. After receiving his degree Merle went on to a career that included stints with Otis Engineering, Wensa Wireline, and Camco Products and Services where he was the company president. Along with his work career, Merle continued his education participating in the executive development program at Texas A&M and the senior executive program at MIT. Merle and wife George Anne – who he met at A&I – traveled the world together and found time to raise a family, their daughter Mary (Kitten) and their son Mark. I ask that Merle’s family join me in the presentation of a plaque commemorating his induction into the Javelina Engineering Hall of Fame.

Alvin M. Wiederkehr – or Al or “The Gray Fox” - grew up in the small town of Freer, Texas and after graduating high school he attended Texas A&I where in 1947 he received his Bachelor’s degree in science and minors in chemistry, physics, and math. I should mention that he graduated in just 3 years. After graduation, he joined the Navy and held the rank of Lieutenant J.G. serving in Europe and the Pacific. After his time in the Navy Al returned to Kingsville where he earned a degree in Natural Gas Engineering. After graduation, he joined Magnolia Petroleum which later became Mobil Oil then went on to work for Southern Union Company in 1952. In 1972 he founded Supron Energy from which he retired in 1982. Not content to be retired Al soon became president of Southern Union Exploration. He continued to work as a consultant until his passing in 1997. Mr. Wiederkehr was very active in many professional societies and known for his generosity to many charitable organizations to which he gave anonymously. Al and his wife Ruth raised three daughters, Barbara, BB, and Susan, and two stepsons, Don and Michael. I ask that Al’s family join me in the presentation of a plaque commemorating his induction into the Javelina Engineering Hall of Fame.

Bruce Withers received his Bachelor of Science in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering from Texas A&I University in 1950. Bruce delayed enrolling at A&I, however, in order to serve his country during World War II. He volunteered in the Army Air Force Cadet Program in June of 1944. He served primarily in Tokyo. After graduation he spent 47 years in the oil and gas field, serving at Tenneco Oil Company, as president of Mitchell Energy and Development Corporation, and as chairman and CEO of Trident, NGL Inc. He retired in 1997, but continued to serve on several boards of directors. He also served in many leadership roles for several professional organizations. As with all we are honoring here today, Mr. Withers believed in giving back. Mr. Withers resided in The Woodlands for over 30 years and was a well-respected leader in the community, being honored as a "Hometown Hero" in 2006. Bruce and his wife Ruby shared 58 years together and raised their daughter Robin. I ask that Bruce’s family join me in the presentation of a plaque commemorating his induction into the Javelina Engineering Hall of Fame.