Texas Tech University

2018 Inductees

 

Jennafer Covington, P.E.

JCEarned Degrees:
B.S., M.S Environmental Engineering, 2001

Assistant Deputy Director
North Texas Municipal Water District

Jennafer Covington's first engagement with the Water Environment Association of Texas (WEAT) and the Water Environment Federation (WEF) began as a student in 1998.  She was instrumental in the development of the Society of Environmental Professionals, the first Student Chapter of WEAT, serving as founding president (1998-1999) and vice president (1999-2000).  In 2001, Jennafer earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in environmental engineering.  From 2001-2015, Jennafer served in various roles with an engineering consulting firm, including vice president, client portfolio manager, and project manager.  Jennafer has been in her current position as assistant deputy director – wastewater at North Texas Municipal Water District in Wylie, TX since 2015.  She oversees a staff of over 200 people, 14 wastewater treatment facilities, and an annual budget in excess of $100 million to provide wholesale waste water services for 24 cities and one million people in the North Texas area.  Jennafer is a licensed professional engineer in Texas.  Since graduating from Texas Tech, Jennafer has served in numerous positions within WEAT including, membership committee chair, long range planning committee, leadership council committee chair, secretary, management review committee, water reuse committee chair, strategic planning committee chair, president-elect, and president.  In 2016, Jennafer received the WEAT Emerging Leaders Award for outstanding service in support of the Association by a young member.  In addition to being a passionate water professional, Jennafer enjoys spending time with her husband, Paul, and their 3 children, Greyson, Piper, and Claire. They live in Allen.  She and Paul are actively engaged in First Baptist Church of Allen.  Jennafer serves as Bible Fellowship Group teacher for high school senior girls.  She and Paul are transitioning in as directors of their adult Bible Fellowship Group.  Jennafer coaches U7 girls' soccer, enjoys water sports, and watching her kids play sports.

Carter P. Delleney, P.E., MPA

CDEarned Degrees:
B.S. Civil Engineering, 1999

Director of Public Works
Adams Engineering & Development Consultants

Carter Delleney earned his Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Texas Tech University in 1999.  After graduation, Carter accepted a position as project manager with Star Building Systems in Oklahoma City.  During his tenure at Star, he was exposed to many different building codes utilized nationwide.  Within six months of being hired, Carter demonstrated his ability to learn quickly by designing high complexity buildings.  In 2004, Carter joined Bucher, Willis & Ratliff (BWR) Corporation in Tyler, TX.  He performed the hydraulic design on S. Loop 363 in Temple, was the primary hydraulic designer on FM 346 in Whitehouse, and on US 59 in Shepherd.  Carter assisted with schematic development on the SH 93 project in Texarkana, N. Loop 363 in Temple, and Loop 281 in Longview.  He assisted with PS&E development on SH 155 in Big Sandy.  Carter grew the steel building manufacturing plant quality control inspection services from five plants to nine plants in the U.S. and Mexico.  He scheduled unannounced inspections and handled the billings for the inspections.  In 2007, Carter joined Freese and Nichols, Inc., serving as the interim city engineer from May thru November and interim development services project engineer from November thru March 2018 for the City of Tyler.  His responsibilities included marketing clients in the East Texas Region, hydraulic study for the City of Mineola, project manager reports, and on the job training to entry level engineers in training.  In 2008, the City of Tyler hired Carter as city engineer.  His responsibilities were numerous during his tenure with City of Tyler.  For example, Dylan was hired as a department leader to directly manage four other staff people dedicated to the $13 million (annual revenue) half cent sales tax program.  This program is responsible for infrastructure improvements across the city.  Carter was promoted to key leader in January 2011 and reported directly to the city manager.  He was granted responsibility over properties and facilities, traffic, and the airport.  The street department was added to his area of influence in 2012.  Carter is an associate member of the TCMA and attended the LBJ School of Public Affairs Public Executive Institute.  In 2016, Carter earned his Master of Public Administration degree at the University of Texas at Tyler.  Currently, Carter is employed with Adams Engineering & Development Consultants in Tyler as Director of Public Works.  He is responsible for marketing clients in the East Texas Region for public works related projects.  Carter is a licensed professional engineer in Oklahoma and Texas.  He and his wife, Amy, live in Tyler and have two girls, Grayson and Peyton.  Carter's interests include sporting clay, automotive repair, home renovations, and remodels.

Chad M. Henthorn, CSI, LEED AP

CHEarned Degrees:
B.S. Construction Engineering Technology, 1999

Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering Advisory Council

Chad Henthorn earned his Bachelor of Science in construction engineering technology at Texas Tech University in 1999.  After completing his degree, Chad accepted a position at The Beck Group as project engineer.  His responsibilities included bidding and management of various construction projects in the North Texas area ranging from $50,000 to $3,000,000, and he provided assistance to project management on projects in excess of $10,000,000.  In March 2001, Chad joined Lee Lewis Construction as project manager and was promoted to project executive in 2008.  He was responsible for complete management and oversight of multiple projects in the West Texas region and was directly responsible for oversight of multiple project managers, project engineers, and superintendents.    In 2010, Chad was promoted to vice president.  His responsibilities were numerous, including personnel and general operation of the Lubbock office and coordinating with Dallas and Austin offices to implement tools proven to be successful in the Lubbock office.  Chad was the key team member in marketing and proposing for projects ranging fror $500,000 to $50,000,000 and key in implementation of Building Information Modeling (BIM).  In his current position, Chad is president and co-owner of Teinert Commercial Building Services in Lubbock.  In this role, he is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of the entire company.  During Chad's tenure at Teinert, the annual revenue has grown from $19MM in 2012 to over $80MM per year (projected) in 2016.  Chad delivers projects through a variety of methods including construction manager at-risk, design-build, negotiated, job order contracting, and hard-bid.  He also implemented use of lean construction collaborative project delivery, and building information modeling.  Chad performs a variety of construction types including education, health care, commercial, retail, athletic, and laboratory/research.      Chad is a Certified LEED Professional, Certified Stormwater Pollution Professional and has memberships and affiliations in several organizations.  Chad currently serves on the newly merged Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering Advisory Council.  He and his wife, Heather, live in Lubbock.  They have two children, Halle and Tess.  In his spare time, Chad enjoys hunting, fly fishing, and playing guitar.

Samuel Hinojosa, P.E., CFM

SHEarned Degrees:
B.S. Civil Engineering, 2003

Team Leader and Director
Water Resources Group

Samuel Hinojosa, a 2003 Texas Tech University civil engineering graduate, is a team leader and director of the Water Resources Group in the Conroe, TX office of Halff Associates, Inc.  Prior to his work at Halff Associates, Samuel worked for the City of Lubbock in the Storm Water Group.  Since joining Halff Associates as an engineer in training (EIT) in January 2004, he has rapidly progressed as a project engineer, project manager, team leader, and now oversees the water resources group.  Samuel has managed a variety of civil and water resources engineering projects ranging from drainage and stormwater studies to the development of plans and specifications for construction.  His projects have included detailed/complex hydrologic and hydraulic studies, floodplain management, flood warning, stormwater management, master planning, and program management.  Samuel has been recognized for his early work in the application of two-dimensional, dynamic flow models for large rivers including the West Fork of the Trinity River as well as the Lower Brazos River.  He has been engaged in four Texas Water Development Board Flood Protection Planning Grant Studies and has prepared studies or designs in over 30 Texas counties and cities.  In addition, Samuel's clients include several districts of TxDOT, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, Harris County and Montgomery County Toll Road Authorities, Harris County Flood Control District, Coastal Water Authority, San Jacinto River Authority, Brazos River Authority, and the San Antonio River Authority.  Samuel has numerous significant projects with planning, analysis, permitting, design, and management responsibility.  These varied and often complex projects have broadened his experience as an engineer, project manager, and mentor to young engineers.  In 2008, Samuel earned his Master of Science degree in civil engineering from the University of Texas, Arlington.  He is a licensed professional engineer and a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) in Texas.  He has memberships in Tau Beta Pi, Chi Epsilon, and is an active member of ASCE.  In 2011, Samuel received the Fort Worth ASCE Branch Edmund Friedman Young Engineer of the Year Award.  In addition to his engineering career, Samuel served as president of the Toastmasters Club in Fort Worth from 2008-2009.  Samuel and his wife, Christina, live in Conroe.  They have five children:  Naomi, David, Caleb, Sarah, and Hanna.  Samuel is a deacon in their church, director of the Children's Ministry, and plays in the band.

Heather Keister, P.E., CFM

HKEarned Degrees:
B.S. Civil Engineering, 2002

M.S. Civil Engineering, 2004

Client Representative, Project Manager
Freese and Nichols, Inc.

Heather Keister earned her Bachelor of Science in civil engineering in 2002 and remained to earn her Master of Science in civil engineering with a water resources emphases in 2004 from Texas Tech University.  Heather began her engineering career with Parkhill, Smith & Cooper (PSC) in Lubbock.  During her tenure with PSC, Heather worked on engineering analysis and design in stormwater, transportation, aviation, solid waste, and site development projects.  She developed and led regular review courses to assist the company's Engineers in Training (EITs) prepare for the PE exam.  This assisted in career advancement of her fellow engineers.  Heather was an active participant in the company's Professional Women's Network.  In 2013, Heather accepted a position with Freese and Nichols, Inc. to open the first permanent Lubbock office.  She serves as the firm's client representative to many West Texas clients and developed and implemented the firm's marketing strategy in this region.  Heather is project manager for many varied projects and coordinates the project teams.  She is responsible for growing the Lubbock office in staff and services, while also implementing a community involvement plan.  Heather was named TSPE Young Engineer of the Year in 2013.  She is a licensed professional engineer in Texas.  Heather has been involved in numerous community service projects including the Lubbock Area United Way, TSPE South Plains Chapter, Lubbock Chamber Transportation Committee, Leadership Lubbock, Texas Public Works Association, Hope Lutheran Mission and Ministry Board, and Lubbock Area Republican Women member and former vice president.  Heather, her husband Ronnie, and their three children, Emily, Georgia Kate, and Jackson live in Lubbock, TX.

Robert Proffitt

RPEarned Degrees:
B.S. Construction Engineering Technology, 2007

President and CEO 
ABF Commercial Roofing and Foam, Inc.

In 2002, Robert Proffitt began his career in roofing as a residential roofing salesman and project manager at Andrus Brothers Roofing.  His responsibilities included estimator, sales, ordering material, scheduling crews, overseeing construction, and billing and collecting.  During his employment at Andrus Brothers, Robert attended Texas Tech University and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in construction engineering technology in 2007.  Currently, Robert is the president and CEO of ABF Commercial Roofing and Foam, Inc., which he founded in 2007.  ABF is a commercial and residential roofing company serving West Texas and Eastern New Mexico.  He leads the overall operations and business development.  Today, ABF Commercial Roofing employees over 40 full time employees, has roofed some of the most prestigious projects Lubbock has offered, including projects at Texas Tech University, with contract amounts well over one million dollars and gross sales over $10 million annually.  Some of the high profile projects on campus include Maddox Engineering Research Center and the Sports Performance Center.  Robert is a member of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NCRA), Lubbock Area Roofing Contractors Association (LARCA), Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT), Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, and a past board member of Lubbock Business Association.  In his free time, Robert enjoys tennis, mountain biking, fishing, snow skiing, wake surfing, and spending time with his three children, Hunter, Anson, and Anzley.  He lives in Lubbock.

Joel P. Robinett, P.E.

JREarned Degrees:
B.S. Civil Engineering, 1986

Principal and Structural Engineer 
MWM Architects, Inc.

Joel Robinett is principal and structural engineer at MWM Architects, Inc. in Lubbock.  Joel enrolled in the pre-engineering program at Angelo State University in San Angelo, TX.  In 1983, he transferred to Texas Tech University (TTU) and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering in 1986.  After graduation, Joel accepted a position with Roberts & Thoma in Lubbock as structural engineer and project manager.  He remained at Roberts & Thoma for 10 years.  In 1996, Joel changed firms, accepting a position at RTR Engineers, Inc. in Lubbock.  Currently, Joel is a part-time instructor, teaching Principles of Structural Design in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering, at Texas Tech.  He began teaching in 2006.  Joel is a respected structural engineer in Lubbock and West Texas.  Representative project experiences include Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Pharmacy in Amarillo, Science Spectrum, Standard Bag Building Lubbock Industrial Park, United Supermarket Ice Plant, Market Street locations, Lubbock ISD, Muleshoe ISD, Bayer Museum of Agriculture, numerous churches and businesses in Lubbock, and Main Fire Station additions and renovations in Clovis, NM.  Joel's professional affiliations include National Society of Professional Engineers, Texas Society of Engineers, South Plains Chapter, American Institute of Steel Construction, and past member and president of the Frenship Foundation for Leadership.  Joel and his wife, Christy, live in Wolfforth.  They have three children, Justin, Jordan, and Allyssa.  Joel enjoys golf, travel, all things TTU, and watching his children grow into wonderful adults. 

Shannon Rodriguez, P.E.

SREarned Degrees:
B.S. Civil Engineering, 2005

Supervising Engineer
American Civil Engineering Services

Shannon Rodriguez earned her Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Texas Tech University in 2005.  Shannon has 12 years of experience overseeing construction, infrastructure, and environmental projects for municipal entities from project set-up through final completion.  She also possesses supplemental experience in infrastructure planning and drinking water operations for a large municipality.  Shannon's engineering career began at Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. in Houston as project engineer in the Water Resources Division.  During her tenure, Shannon's responsibilities included analyzing and designing of stormwater conveyance systems for highways and light rail trains, involvement in the design of a container yard, intermodal yard, road relocation and pipeline coordination, and design and rehabilitation of several sanitary sewer lift stations.  From 2007 to 2011, Shannon was project engineer in the Infrastructure Division at Parkhill, Smith & Cooper (PSC) in Lubbock.  During her tenure at PSC, she was involved in the development of an effluent reuse distribution system master plan and implementation/construction of the first phases of the system.  The master plan included a newly constructed booster pump station at the wastewater treatment plant with mechanical screening equipment and 30+ miles of purple reuse pipe.  While gaining experience at PSC, Shannon also earned her Master of Business Administration degree from Texas Tech in 2008.  In 2011, Shannon accepted a project engineer/manager position with American Civil Engineering Services in Conroe.  She continued gaining experience, and in December 2012, Shannon accepted a position as engineer with the City of Houston remaining in that position for two years.  In her current position as supervising engineer, Shannon is responsible for the drinking water operations (water quality) for the City of Houston.  She orchestrates and plans for large diameter transmission shut downs involving coordination of numerous divisions in public works.  Shannon monitors water quality and customer complaints for the transmission and distribution system, is involved in the development of Standard Operating Procedures and protocols, quantity and/or low pressured events, development of long term pressure and water quality monitoring plan for system security, operational and hydraulic knowledge for a large scale municipal water system, and proactive tracking of daily available capacity, demand, flows, production, water quality, line repairs, and CIP projects.  Shannon is a licensed professional engineer in Texas and New Mexico.  She is secretary/treasurer for WateReuse Association of Texas, a member of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) reuse committee, former senior director at large for ASCE Texas Section, and former vice president/treasurer for ASCE Caprock Branch.  Shannon and her husband, George, live in Katy.  She enjoys triathlons, scuba diving, traveling, and running marathons.  

Department of Civil, Environmental, & Construction Engineering