Nathelyne A. Kennedy & Associates (NAK) is a small, Houston-based professional civil consulting engineering firm that is has been doing big things at Houston airports since 1986. And “she” is one of the primary reasons why.

She is the first female engineering graduate from Prairie View A&M University (PV), an institution that was founded in 1876, the second-oldest public university in Texas. She is the first African-American female professional engineer registered by the State of Texas.

She is Nathelyne Archie Kennedy, founder and President of NAK. In an impressive professional engineering career that spans nearly six decades, Nathelyne Kennedy has been a constant companion in the growth and development of the Houston Airport System (HAS). As a Prime or a subconsultant, NAK has worked on 31 projects at Bush Intercontinental or William P Hobby Airports since 1986. NAK recently completed work on the Hobby Canopy JOC Capital Project at South East ECO Parking Lot, Terminal Entrance in 2017.

NAK’s core services include civil engineering, bridge design and structures for civil works, and program management and master planning.

When she graduated from college as the first female engineering graduate from PV, Nathelyne was unable to secure employment in Texas. She moved to Chicago where she was hired by Alfred Benesch & Company as a graduate engineer designing bridges. She worked for them for 12 productive years before locating to Houston. She set her sights on entrepreneurship and eventually started her firm in 1981 as a sole practitioner.

Born in Conroe, Nathelyne has spent much of her life in Houston and has witnessed firsthand the continuing evolution of the HAS and the City. Her firm was a part of the 12-year reconstruction of William P. Hobby Airport, completed in 2010. More recently, NAK was a part of the design team for the original international terminal at Bush Airport. NAK also worked on the Terminal C North project. In its 37-year history, the largest project that NAK ever worked as a Prime was the HAS New Air Cargo Facility on Lee Road, completed in 2004, a $46 million project.

Nathelyne was the recipient of the 2016 Houston Engineeer of the Year Award, the first female to receive the honor. She has worked in such distinguished fashion for such a long time that she inevitably gets the “R” question – so what about retirement? “I like what I’m doing,” she said. “I’m surrounded by good staff and I’m still working to be a good citizen and contributing in positive ways to Houston.

She counts her firm’s work within the Houston Airport System and the City of Houston among her finest professional accomplishments. NAK also holds the distinction of having worked on Houston’s three major sports facilities: Minute Maid, NRG, and the Toyota Center.

So, what is she proudest of about her professional accomplishments? She didn’t hesitate. “I’m most proud of the reputation of my firm and all the employees that have come through here and are still here. I just do the best I can,” she said, “and see where it takes me.” Clearly, the best she can has helped NAK to accomplish some big things along the way. The best she can has taken her very, very far.