Franchelle Craft earns Modern-Day Technology recognition

Published Aug. 1, 2012

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District Civil Engineer Franchelle Craft was selected and recognized as a 2011 Modern-Day Technology Leader, an honor bestowed upon men and women who demonstrate outstanding performance in their fields, by the Council of Engineering Deans of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Lockheed Martin Corporation and US Black Engineer & Information Technology magazine.

Craft was recognized at the 25th annual Black Engineer of the Year Awards Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Global Competitiveness Conference, Feb. 18, 2011, in Washington, D.C.

"It was an honor to represent the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Galveston District at the Black Engineer of the Year Awards Conference as a recipient of the Modern- Day Technology Leader Award," said Craft. "It shows that having dedication, a good work ethic and serving the nation pays off."

Craft admits she was surprised by the honor.

"It was an awesome experience to witness other young scientists and engineers receive similar awards and to hear all about the upcoming technology and innovations other engineers are developing," said Craft.

Craft was also recognized with a certificate of achievement by Lt. Gen. Robert L. "Van" Van Antwerp, the U.S. Army Chief of Engineers and commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps Engineers.

"I began my career with the Corps’ Galveston District as a Department of the Army intern and progressed as an office engineer," said Craft. "I currently serve as a project engineer in the district’s Houston Resident Office, working on dredging construction contracts for the Houston Ship Channel."

Craft earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Prairie View A&M University in 2006 and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in engineering management from Missouri Science and Technology University.

She has served with the USACE Galveston District for five years.

Craft offers the following advice for rising stars in the engineering field, "work hard, believe in what you do and make every decision in the best interest of your organization."

The Houston, Texas, native enjoys working in the community, reading and scrapbooking.