Texas Tech University

Distinguished Engineer Citations

                 
Distinguished Engineer Photo: William B. Hagood
William B. Hagood

William B. Hagood

Distinguished Engineer

2007

Degree

Civil Engineering – 1969

 

Citation

At Time of Nomination in 2007

Will Hagood is a native of Dallas and grew up in Amarillo, TX. Upon graduation from Tascosa High School in Amarillo, he moved to Lubbock where he attended Texas Tech, earning a bachelor of science in civil engineering in 1969. He also holds a master’s of business administration degree from Southern Methodist University.

While attending Texas Tech, Will began his engineering career as a summer intern with HDR Engineering, Inc. Upon graduation, Will joined HDR in Dallas as an engineer in training, progressing through numerous key leadership positions to senior vice president and principal in charge. With over 33 years of service, Will is responsible for HDR’s corporate growth and development in the South Central Region of the United States, helping clients make early project development and economic decisions. One of the 40 managers who bought HDR from its French owner in 1996, Will is responsible for providing professional engineering services in all areas of transportation, water resources, wastewater, environmental sciences, economics, and urban development for both public and private clients. Some of the more notable projects include Interstate 27 in Lubbock, the Lubbock Regional Solid Waste Landfill, Dallas North Central Expressway, and the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Authority light rail transit tunnel. With annual revenues of over $700 million, HDR is the 17th largest engineering and architecture firm in the United States, employing over 5,600 personnel in 140 offices across the United States. Will is a licensed professional engineer and the recipient of HDR’s prestigious Gold Pathfinder Award of Excellence for Community Service.

Will recently retired from the United States Army at the rank of colonel. Throughout his 30–year Army Reserve career as a commissioned engineer officer, he served in a variety of command and staff assignments while serving in the continental United States, Central America, Germany, and the Middle East. In 2003, as commander of the 353rd Engineer Group, he deployed with the group to Baghdad, Iraq, where he served with the First Cavalry Division, until redeploying back to the United States in March 2005. As the First Cavalry Division Engineer Group Commander, Colonel Hagood was responsible for the division’s military and civilian engineering planning, design, and construction throughout the Baghdad Area of Responsibility. He received many military awards and decorations. Will is also a graduate of the United States Army War College, the army’s senior service college, where he earned a master’s of strategic studies degree.

Will is active in many organizations and serves on various boards including the Texas Tech University College of Engineering Dean’s Council, where he currently serves as president emeritus, the Texas Tech University Civil Engineering Advisory Council, the Dallas Consulting Engineers Council, the Civil Engineering Academy of Texas Tech University, and the Texas Tech Water Resources Center Advisory Board. Will also serves on the Statewide Legislative Committee of the Texas Council of Engineering Companies and the Greater Dallas Veterans Foundation.

Will and his wife Karen, a Texas Tech alumnus with a bachelor of science in education, reside in Dallas, TX.

It is a privilege and an honor for Texas Tech University’s College of Engineering to select this outstanding alumnus for recognition. William B. Hagood is declared a DISTINGUISHED ENGINEER.

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