Title: Engineering Manager and Deputy Director of Facilities Engineering
Company: Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Location: Huntsville, Texas, United States
Debra K. Durda, Engineering Manager and Deputy Director of Facilities Engineering at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Engineers for dedication, achievements and leadership in Engineering.
Ms. Durda has established a distinguished career in engineering and public service, marked by her expertise, leadership and commitment to excellence. Since 2008, she has been recognized for her leadership skills as an engineering manager and deputy director of facilities engineering at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. In this capacity, Ms. Durda manages a diverse staff of architects, engineers and engineering specialists, ensuring that all projects are designed, executed and completed in compliance with the requirements of eight regulatory agencies.
Among a wide range of responsibilities, Ms. Durda oversees contracts with external architectural and engineering firms, maintaining strict adherence to both contractual obligations and regulatory standards. She is responsible for assigning work to staff, coordinating inspections for completed projects, and resolving complex issues that arise during project execution. Ms. Durda is recognized for her remarkable problem-solving abilities, often identifying underlying challenges and guiding teams toward practical solutions. Notably, she developed an innovative program that streamlines the creation of transmittals for technical reviews, automating documentation for pre-final, final technical and contractual reviews.
From 2006 to 2008, Ms. Durda contributed as a staff engineer at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. In this role, she supported engineering operations and gained valuable experience that would inform her later leadership responsibilities.
Before her tenure with the government facility, Ms. Durda dedicated over five years to education as a mathematics teacher with the Burleson Independent School District from 1999 to 2005. This period allowed her to balance professional growth with family commitments while earning several certifications that would later enhance her engineering career.
In 1998, Ms. Durda worked as a senior consultant at Blythe-Nelson, where she provided expert guidance on engineering projects. Her consulting experience was preceded by a role as marketing consultant at Comtech Inc. between 1996 and 1997.
Ms. Durda’s early career was defined by groundbreaking achievements while employed with the Federal Aviation Administration. In 1986, she became the first woman hired as an engineer in the southwest region of the agency. For two years, Ms. Durda installed radio transmission and reception equipment critical for nationwide aircraft communication. Recognized for her technical acumen and collaborative skills, Ms. Durda was promoted in 1988 to telecommunications engineer, a position she held until 1995, during which she excelled.
In preparation for her future, Ms. Durda obtained a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from Texas A&M University in College Station in 1985. This rigorous education provided the technical knowledge necessary for her subsequent roles in both government and private sectors. Ms. Durda also garnered several professional credentials that underscore her expertise. She holds a professional engineering license, is a certified energy manager and certified measurement and verification professional, and maintains a green building engineer credential. Moreover, Ms. Durda was a graduate of Class III of the Professional Engineering Leadership Institute.
Ms. Durda is an active member of several industry organizations, including the Order of the Engineer, the Texas Society of Professional Engineers and the Association of Energy Engineers. She is also a charter member of the Energy Manager Society. Ms. Durda’s involvement reflects a commitment to ongoing professional development and networking, values she encourages others to pursue by striving for continuous learning and maintaining strong professional connections.
Beyond her professional achievements, Ms. Durda has demonstrated civic engagement through leadership roles with the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 95 since 2015, including several years as a chaplain. She also supports charitable initiatives by donating items to auctions that benefit veterans and their families.
Throughout her life and career, Ms. Durda has drawn inspiration from the lessons imparted by her father to make decisions based on available information without regret, while also valuing reflection as a means of learning and improvement. Her dedication has been recognized with honors, including the 15-Year Service Award from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Ms. Durda remains passionate about her work. Looking ahead, she is pursuing further advancement within her field by seeking additional certifications in contract management and exploring new opportunities for professional growth in engineering leadership.
For more information, please visit:
Contact Ms. Durda: