Texas Tech University

Distinguished Engineer Citations

                 
Distinguished Engineer Photo: Bill D. Helton
Bill D. Helton

Bill D. Helton

Distinguished Engineer

1990

Degree

Electrical Engineering – 1964

 

Citation

At Time of Nomination in 1990

Bill D. Helton was born September 6, 1938, in Wheeler, Texas. He received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Texas Tech University in 1964.

Upon graduation in 1964, Mr Helton joined Southwestern Public Service Company. He has held 13 positions with that company, beginning with Distribution Design Engineer. In 1966, he became Industrial Services Engineer and later Consumer Services Engineer. In 1969, he was named Manager of Residential Consumer Services, then Manager of Industrial Development, and Manager of Consumer Services. He became Director of Financial Services in 1981. Mr. Helton was named Assistant Secretary and Director of Financial Services in 1982, and in 1983, he was promoted to Financial Vice President. He was named Vice President of Corporate Services in 1986. Mr. Helton was promoted to Executive Vice President in 1987; in 1989, he became Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and then President and Chief Operating Officer.

Mr. Helton is a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas. He is past Chairman of the Texas Tech Electrical Engineering Industrial Advisory Board and past President of the Petroleum Electric Power Association. In addition, he is Vice–Chairman of the Southwest Power Pool and a member of the Board of Trustees of the North American Electric Reliability Council. He is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Additionally, his list of civic and church activities is long. He is Director of the Amarillo Club and past Director of First Bank of Amarillo. Mr. Helton is past Chairman and Director of the Public Service Employees Credit Union and a member of the United Way Cabinet. He also is a member and past President of the South Amarillo Kiwanis. He is Chairman of the Board of Kingswood United Methodist Church and a financial committee member and trustee of Foundation, Wesley Community Center.

Mr. Helton and his wife, Phyllis, have three children, Kim, Cindy, and Jeff.

Texas Tech is pleased and honored to name Bill D. Helton a DISTINGUISHED ENGINEER.

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