ABOUT KENNETH FLAKES
Kenneth Flakes is a first-generation college graduate who has spent nearly his entire life in the City of Houston, Texas. He is a graduate of Ross Sterling High School in the Houston Independent School District he finished as class valedictorian.
After graduating high school, Kenneth enrolled at the University of Houston where he majored in mechanical engineering. At the University of Houston, his early involvement with the National Society of Black Engineers student chapter motivated him to become the servant leader that he is today. While at the University of Houston, he was inducted into the Pi Tau Sigma international mechanical engineering honor society and the Tau Beta Pi national engineering honor society.
Immediately after receiving his engineering degree, Kenneth began a career in the oil and gas industry where has spent nearly two decades leading diverse teams and developing integrated solutions, products, systems, and services. Kenneth is a staunch advocate for STEM, diversity and inclusion, and leadership development. He has served in various leadership roles for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) South Texas Section, National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Houston Professionals, and the University of Houston Engineering Alumni Association.
He is a graduate of the United Way’s Project Blueprint which is a program that prepares emerging and current leaders for leadership roles on nonprofit and public sector boards and committees. He also served as a volunteer for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) where for 15 months he served as a youth math teacher for Burmese refugees in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. For his service, Kenneth has been honored as a national finalist for ASME New Faces of Engineering. He has been named the Young Engineer of the Year for the NSBE Houston Alumni Association and Distinguished Young Engineering Alumni for the University of Houston Engineering Alumni Association. He has also received an ASME South Texas Section Meritorious Award for his work developing outreach programs.
Kenneth enjoys traveling and learning about the culture. He lived in Malaysia for two and a half years. In all, he has visited 4 continents and 18 countries. He is an avid sports fan whose goal is to visit every NBA, MLB, and NFL stadium at least once. So far, he has visited over 20 stadiums.
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
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2018 National Society of Black Engineers Houston Professionals President's Award
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2018 Who's Who In Black Houston
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2015 University of Houston Engineering Alumni Association Distinguished Young Engineer Award
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2011 American Society of Mechanical Engineers South Texas Section Meritorious Service Award
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2007 National Society of Black Engineers Houston Alumni Extension Young Engineer of the Year
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2006 United Way Project Blueprint Graduate
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2006 Finalist for American Society of Mechanical Engineers New Faces of Engineering