Distinguished Engineer Citations
Leslie Duke
Distinguished Engineer
2018
Degree
B.S. Civil Engineering - 1994
Citation at time of nomination in 2018
Leslie Duke - As leader of Burns & McDonnell's Houston office, Leslie Duke, PE, has played an
integral role in launching the firm's engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC)
business. Her efforts have led to the development and successful execution of over
100 multimillion-dollar projects. During the past 18 years, Leslie has helped to expand
Burns & McDonnell's customer base from one client to more than 100 clients in the
industrial, refining, chemical, manufacturing, and utility markets. She has also played
a leading role in the development of multiple large-scale alliance relationships,
resulting in approximately $244 million in repeat, non-competitive project work for
Burns & McDonnell nationally. In addition, she has developed a leadership training
program for the firm's high-potential staff that focuses on maximizing performance
via accelerated career training.
Leslie joined Burns & McDonnell in 1999 and served as a regional manager in the Transmission
and Distribution group from 2002 through 2009, as well as the operations manager in
Houston from 2005 to 2009. In 2010, Leslie moved to Dallas to open Burns & McDonnell's
10th regional office and helped diversify the firm's services in the region and expand
the company in north Texas. The Dallas and Fort Worth offices specialize in on-site
energy design, facilities design, transportation design, environmental services and
permitting, and design-build construction services. In July 2012, Leslie returned
to Houston as general manager and was named the first female president in the company's
history in 2016. The Houston office focuses on the design of high-voltage power, refining,
chemical, terminal, and pipeline facilities. Additional services include environmental
permitting and remediation and construction. Leslie is honored to lead our firm's
largest and fastest growing office, and looks forward to a promising future in the
region.
Throughout her career, Leslie has received numerous personal awards. Texas Tech University
recently honored Leslie as a 2018 Distinguished Engineer. Additionally, Leslie was
named to the 2016 "Who's Who in Energy" by the Houston Business Journal. The United
Way of Greater Houston also recognizes her as a "Top Female Leader" for her strong
commitment to United Way and the community.
Family is important to Leslie and she credits her father's leadership and strength
through adversity as her most significant influence. She and her husband, Travis,
have two children, Justin and Kendall; and Leslie spends most of her free time supporting
their activities, traveling, and remaining active in her church.
Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering
-
Address
100 Engineering Center Box 43103 Lubbock, Texas 79409-3103 -
Phone
806.742.3451 -
Email
webmaster.coe@ttu.edu