Texas Tech University

2021 Inductees

 

Don E. Allen, PE

DAEarned Degrees:
B.S. Civil Engineering,  1981

Development Partner 
Lackland Holdings 

Don Allen received his BSCE degree from Texas Tech in 1981. Don is a native of Cleburne, Texas. In his early career, Don worked as a consulting civil engineer, primarily focusing on land development. Don rose to be partner at Carter & Burgess, Inc. In 2003, Don left consulting to pursue career in the residential real estate development industry, first for DR Horton and now as a partner at Lackland Holdings. Don has developed successful residential communities throughout the DFW Metroplex.

Don and his wife, Fiona, live in Arlington, Texas. They have 3 grown children, Dr. Meredith Abbott (TTUHSC MD 2006) and spouse Woody; Mark Allen, PE (TTU BSCE 2006) and spouse Rebecca; and Beth Curnutt (TTU BSChE 2016) and spouse Riley.  Don and Fiona have 4 grandchildren.

Mike Christopher, PE, CFM

MCEarned Degrees:
B.S. Civil Engineering, 2008

Partner, Land Development
Elevation Land Solutions

Mike Christopher graduated from Texas Tech with a BSCE in Fall 2008. Mike began his career in civil engineering at Jones|Carter in their Woodlands Office in January 2009. Mike performed and oversaw civil engineering designs and planning for all aspects of master planned residential communities and MUDs in the Houston area. 

In October 2016, Mike helped launch a new office for Manhard Consulting in the Woodlands as one of their founding partners. He and his partners started the Woodlands branch with 20 employees and have grown the office to 85 employees with projected revenue of $17M for 2021. 

Manhard Consulting re-branded to Elevation Land Solutions in December 2020 and Mike continues to serve as Land Development Partner. 

Mike Christopher is an active member of the Greater Houston Builders Association and their PAC. Mike has been fortunate to be able to represent his employers at Texas Tech's engineering career fair for many years and has recruited dozens of Texas Tech graduates over this time.  

Mike Christopher lives in the Woodlands, Texas and is married with three children, Morgan, Quinn and Luke. He and his wife, Lyndsey are active members in their community and church. Lyndsey is a counselor for Conroe ISD.  

Kyle D. Gould, PE

LSEarned Degrees:
B.S. Civil Engineering, 2004

Senior Principle Engineer
Weaver Consultants Group, LLC

Kyle Gould graduated from Texas Tech with a BSCE in December 2004. Kyle joined Weaver Consultants Group (WCG) in January 2005 as a Staff Engineer. WCG specializes in design, permitting, planning, and compliance of waste disposal, transfer, and processing facilities. Kyle received his Texas PE in June 2010 and holds PE licenses in three other states. In 2015, Kyle took over the landfill construction quality assurance (CQA) group at WCG while continuing to manage, lead, and develop younger engineers. In December 2019, Kyle was voted in as a Principal and continues to focus on CQA, staff development, and new business ventures.  

Kyle and his beautiful wife, Laura, have two wonderful children, Georgia and Jack. They love living in Fort Worth, Texas, returning to Lubbock on occasion for TTU football games.  

Kyle enjoys bourbon and BBQ and is a co-owner of a small salsa company called Heat Salsa, for which he is the author of the recipes.  

Leigh A. Hollis, PE

LSEarned Degrees:
B.S. Civil Engineering, 2004

Vice President and Frisco Operations Manager
Halff Associates

Leigh Hollis graduated with a BSCE from Texas Tech in 2004. Leigh joined Halff Associates in January 2005, working on a public works team in Fort Worth focused on a variety of municipal projects involving major thoroughfare and street design, the design and analysis of storm drainage systems, water line, sanitary sewer design, and construction administration.  

In January 2021, Leigh was promoted to Vice President and Operations Manager at Halff's rapidly growing Frisco, Texas office. As Operations Manager, Leigh oversees the day-to-day operations and management of over 25 professionals representing land development, public works/transportation and water resources teams. 

Leigh is also responsible for oversight of local marketing efforts and the growth of the Frisco office. Leigh also currently chairs the Halff Recruiting Task Force - New Graduates. Leigh leads Halff's efforts to increase the company's recruiting and outreach at universities in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Florida. Leigh serves on the Steering Committee for Halff Network of Women (NOW), with a mission to provide a forum for increased connection, community, and empowerment of women across Halff's offices and practices.

Leigh and her husband, John, live in North Richland Hills, Texas.   They have three children, Ava, Andrew and Sam. Leigh enjoys watching youth soccer, reading and playing the piano.

Jacob Kirkland

jkEarned Degrees:
B.S. Construction Engineering, 2009

Vice President
Teinert Construction

Jacob Kirkland graduated with a BS in Construction Engineering from Texas Tech in 2009. Jacob joined the Teinert Construction team in 2013 and became a partner of the firm in 2016. Jacob is responsible for general oversight of all operations of the company, specifically in project management and staffing. 

Jacob Kirkland is a native to west Texas and has been in the commercial construction industry since 2006. Jacob is a member of the Texas Tech University College of Civil/Environmental/Construction Engineering (CECE) Advisory Council and serves on the Building Board of Appeals for the City of Lubbock. Jacob is a past President of the West Texas Chapter of Associated General Contractors. 

Jacob is married to Lindsay, and the couple has 2 daughters, Hallie & Harper. Jacob and his family are active in the community. Jacob is a former president and current board member of Lubbock Meals on Wheels.

Chase Luft

CLEarned Degrees:
B.S. Construction Engineering, 2009

Senior Project Manager
Turner Construction Company

Chase Luft received his Bachelor's of Engineering, Construction Engineering Technology in 2009 from Texas Tech University. In 2011, Chase received his Master's of Business Administration degree from Texas Tech.

Chase Luft is a dedicated Senior Project Manager for Turner Construction Company with 13 years of world-class industry experience. Chase brings a unique combination of leadership, motivation, project enthusiasm and technical competence to ensure that his projects and people are positioned for success. Chase's proficiency, dedication and top-notch management skills have set him apart from the rest in his field and afforded him the opportunity to gain increasingly impactful roles in a very short amount of time. Chase views his role as not only a manager, but importantly as a team player. Chase has built several diverse project types all over Texas; his projects are always fast-track and ahead of schedule because of his extensive technical experience and skills as an industry leader. 

Chase is a firm believer in giving back to the community and building community partnerships. He volunteers with  the United Way, Salvation Army, Hearts & Hammers, North Texas Food Bank, Turner Charity Golf Tournament, Carry the Load, and the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center. In addition, Chase serves on the Young Advisory Council for Goodwill Industries of Dallas, Inc. 

Chase is heavily involved with his Church as a student mentor for the past seven years. In 2014, Chase started to mentor a group of 6th graders; this same group recently graduated from high school and enrolled at colleges around the country where Chase intends to continue to be a support. Chase and his wife, Carli live in Richardson, Texas. They have 3 children.

Colin G. McInnes, PE

CMEarned Degrees:
B.S. Civil Engineering, 2008

Project Director
Weaver Consultants Group, LLC

Colin McInnes graduated with a BSCE from Texas Tech University in 2008. Colin has over 12 years of experience in the landfill gas studies and is a registered professional engineer in 10 states. He is a project director with Weaver Consultants Group and manages the landfill gas department. Project work includes the development, design, permitting and preparation of construction plans, details, and specifications for the LFG systems. Engineering responsibilities include developing and preparing the LFG generation modeling, sizing gas systems using KYGas and system layouts, flare facility designs and LFGTE integration of piping systems, as well as forcemain piping designs, and system troubleshooting.

Colin has presented at the Global Waste Management Symposium in 2020 and is also an avid outdoorsman.

Jill J. Rankin, PE

JREarned Degrees:
B.S. Civil Engineering, 1996

Director, Manager of Projects
Jacobs Engineering

Jill Rankin graduated with a BSCE from Texas Tech University in 1996. Jill began her career with Carter & Burgess, Inc. in Fort Worth. She became a licensed professional civil engineer doing land development, gas development, and municipal infrastructure work. After Jacobs acquired C&B, Jill moved into asset management services for DOD clients and the military.  Now she oversees large federal facility management projects and directs other project managers' career development and their project delivery for risk, earnings, and client satisfaction of transaction advisory projects, management consulting projects, and revenue systems projects.

Jill married Dan Rankin in 1997. They live in Arlington, Texas where they are raising their three daughters, Ireland, Sydney and Presley.  Jill grew up in Keller, Texas. She exposes young people to engineering and STEM activities through engagement, teaches children's Faith Formation classes at their church and supports all their daughters' activities.

LeStella S. Valley, PE, RPLS

LVEarned Degrees:
B.S. Civil Engineering, 1995

President
Sun Star Services, LLC

LeStella Valley graduated with a BSCE from Texas Tech in 1995. LeStella is a second generation BSCE graduate, and a third generation civil engineer and surveyor. 

LeStella is a registered professional engineer in Texas. She has over twenty years of experience with consulting firms in the state of Texas. LeStella is the President of Sun Star Services, LLC. Over the years, she has been a member of various professional organizations. LeStella has been involved in the communities she has lived, from having been the president of the Lion's Club in Sweetwater, Texas, to being a troop leader in the Girl Scouts program. She has also stayed involved with her peers from Texas Tech University and was co-organizer of her 10-year reunion.  

LeStella and her husband, John, have three children, Nathan, Elisabeth and Sarah. They reside in Wimberley, Texas.

Dan W. Warfield, PE

DWEarned Degrees:
B.S. Civil Engineering, 2000

Senior Vice President
Operations Manager, Richardson
Halff Associates

Dan Warfield earned his B.S.C.E. from Texas Tech University in 2000. Dan was a member of the Texas Tech Red Raider track and field team, pole vault, during his time in Lubbock. After graduation he joined Halff Associates, Inc. in 2001. 

Dan currently serves as the Senior Vice President, Operations Manager for Halff Associates Richardson office. The Richardson office is Halff Associates headquarters location and he is responsible for the oversight and growth of 330 Richardson office staff representing 26 production teams, including 15 different disciplines, as well as numerous administrative teams. Dan also serves on the corporate Operations Team which reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer and is responsible for the growth and general operations of Halff's 25+ offices across five states. 

Dan has managed and engineered projects in the public and private sector. He has extensive experience in the design, coordination, scheduling, and supervision of municipal, institutional, and private sector projects. Dan has managed more than 200 land/site development projects in the DFW Metroplex area including office, industrial, retail, residential, and mixed-use developments.

Dan lives in Melissa, TX with his wife, Tamara (Texas Tech alum), and his three children, Abigail, Ethan, and Katelyn. In his free time, he enjoys helping with his children's sports activities and other outdoor activities.

Department of Civil, Environmental, & Construction Engineering

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