Distinguished Engineer 2020

Blake DeBerry

Degree

B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Texas Tech University - 1982

"Although Blake carries the duties of the top executive of Dril-Quip extremely well, he is still an engineer at heart, and he shows it in day-to-day activities when working with and coaching engineers with new designs. He has been coming up with smart innovative ideas and engineering solutions for over 30 years with dozens of patents to his name that have led to safe and cost effective cutting edge technologies for the oil and gas industry." – Dr. Jim Kaculi, P.E. 

Citation

At Time of Nomination in 2020

Blake DeBerry grew up in San Antonio and enrolled at Texas Tech University in 1978 becoming a first-generation college graduate in 1982 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. During his time as a student Blake was active in the student chapter of ASME and honor societies Tau Beta Pi and Pi Tau Sigma serving as president of the latter.

After graduation, Blake moved to Houston to work in the oilfield service sector spending his first six years working hard to just stay employed as the industry went through the downturn of the mid 80's. In 1988 Blake went to work for Dril-Quip, Inc., a private company providing products and service for offshore exploration and production, as a Research and Development Engineer. After 13 years developing new products for the company Blake was given the opportunity to become the General Manager of Dril-Quip Asia Pacific in Singapore. In 2001 Blake and family moved to Singapore for a two-year assignment that ultimately ended up being an incredible 10 years of living overseas spending two years in Aberdeen Scotland serving as General Manager of Dril-Quip Europe Ltd., and 8 years in Singapore ultimately serving as Vice President of Asia Pacific. Blake and family returned to Houston in 2011 where he continued working with Dril-Quip serving as Senior Vice President of Sales and Engineering. In October of 2011 Blake was appointed by the Board of Directors of Dril-Quip to the position of Chief Executive Officer where he continues to serve the Company today.

Blake has been a member of the Texas Tech University Engineering Dean's Council for the past seven years serving as Treasurer, Vice-President, President, and past President. Blake is also a member of the Mechanical engineering Academy and the Texas Tech Key Society. Blake has been awarded 20 United States Patents and has another 5 patents pending. In 2015 Blake was presented the Geoca Mechanical Engineering Achievement Award by the Petroleum Division of ASME for distinguished and meritorious achievement and service in the field of petroleum mechanical engineering.

Blake and his wife Karen (BBA Accounting and Management Information Systems, TTU 1982) started dating at the age of 14 and have been married for 39 years. During their time overseas, they enjoyed traveling in almost any form exploring all the variety of countries and cultures in the areas they lived. While in Singapore they purchased a sailboat that they used for racing as well as cruising, both locally around Singapore as well as cruising around South East Asia. Additionally, during their time overseas they became interested in wine which ultimately lead to their latest adventure together in the Texas Wine Industry. In 2015 they opened their own vineyard and winery called Torr Na Lochs (Gaelic for Hill Over Lakes honoring their time in Scotland) in Burnet Texas. Their time spent overseas was so incredibly impactful, on not only them but also their children, that upon return to the Unites States and learning of the International Engineering Program they established an endowment to help engineering students broaden their horizons and develop a greater understanding of our global community.

Blake and Karen have three married children, Kristen Hansen (TTU 2006), Carson DeBerry, and Kelsey Mangione, and five grandchildren Mads, Henry, and Ruby Kate Hansen and Carley and Lily DeBerry.