The Texas A&M University College of Engineering honored four former students during the 2024 Outstanding Alumni Awards Banquet, held on April 18. The Outstanding Alumni Honor Awards and the Outstanding Young Alumni Honor Awards are the highest honors given by the college, recognizing both the personal and professional accomplishments of the awardees.
The recipient of the Outstanding Young Alumni Honor Award was Keith Hearon ’14. The Outstanding Alumni Honor Award recipients were Bob Jordan ’85, Stephen H. Lucy, ’82 and Brad Worsham ’88.
Outstanding Young Alumni Honor Award
Keith Hearon ’14
Biomedical Engineering
CEO, Nuceptive Labs
Keith’s journey is marked by remarkable accomplishments, beginning with his work as a postdoctoral researcher at the MIT Langer Lab. He co-founded and led two startups: Poly6, a pioneer in aerospace 3D printing and Virex Health, an electrochemical rapid diagnostics company. Both achieved notable success, with acquisitions in 2019 and 2022, respectively.
A proud graduate of Texas A&M, Keith earned his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering in 2014. His scholarly contributions are profound, boasting more than 40 patents and publications in materials science and biotechnology. Notably, he was recognized as a top finalist in the 2014 Collegiate Inventors Competition and honored as a regional finalist in the prestigious 2020 White House Fellowship.
Currently, Keith serves as the chief executive officer of Nuceptive Labs, a male contraception company, and the executive chairman of the board of Imidex, an AI lung cancer diagnostics firm. His leadership extends beyond the corporate realm and into higher education, as he actively contributes to the board of the college of engineering at Georgia Tech.
In addition to his professional endeavors, Keith finds fulfillment in his personal life with his wife Caitlin, a 2011 Texas A&M chemical engineering graduate. Together, they are proud parents to two sons, Michael and Gabriel, with another child expected in July 2024.
Outstanding Alumni Honor Awards
Bob Jordan ’85
Computer Science
President & Chief Executive Officer, Southwest Airlines Co.
Bob Jordan serves as president and chief executive officer at Southwest Airlines. Contributing over three decades to Southwest, Bob has been instrumental in transforming the airline into a beloved national brand, overseeing its growth from a regional presence to a powerhouse in the airline industry.
During his tenure, Bob has spearheaded numerous initiatives, including the development of the Southwest.com e-commerce platform, the revamp of the Rapid Rewards® loyalty program and the successful integration of AirTran Airways. His leadership was particularly crucial during the 2020 pandemic, where he led efforts to avoid layoffs and maintain Southwest's record of never having a single layoff in its 52-year history.
Beyond his corporate responsibilities, Bob is an advocate of "The Southwest Way," embodying the company's core values and people-centric culture. He serves on the board of directors for Shiftkey, the board of trustees for the Southwest Medical Foundation and the board of The Association of Former Students.
A distinguished former student of Texas A&M, Bob holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science and business administration, respectively. He is actively involved in charitable organizations, including Cross Timbers Community Church, Compassion International and the Metropolitan Opera. Bob and his wife Kelly ’86, are proud members of the A&M Legacy Society and have two adult children, Sheryl ’09 and Soren ’10, along with two grandsons, Joseph and Jacob.
Stephen H. Lucy, ’82
Civil Engineering
Executive Principal at JQ Engineering, now IMEG
Stephen H. Lucy, PE, serves as executive principal and senior client executive for JQ Engineering, now IMEG, a national engineering consultant firm with a strong presence in Texas. With experience spanning over four decades, Steve has played pivotal roles in shaping the engineering landscape across the Lone Star State.
Steve's professional career began as a structural engineer at Datum Engineering in Dallas in 1983, where he eventually became an associate partner. His international experience includes serving as engineering manager in London, UK for a joint venture between Datum and Robert West & Partners. In 1994, Steve joined JQ Engineering and played a key role in establishing multiple offices across Texas before ultimately becoming chief executive officer in 2015. Under his leadership, JQ Engineering merged with IMEG in 2024, further enhancing its position in the Texas market.
Throughout his career, Steve has garnered numerous honors, including recognition as a distinguished graduate by the Zachry department of civil and environmental engineering. Additionally, he is an honorary member of the American Institute of Architects Dallas Chapter and the Texas Society of Architects. Steve's expertise is evident in his contributions to technical and business practices, as evidenced by his presentations and co-authored papers at state and national conferences.
A proud Aggie, Steve earned both his bachelor’s and master’s in civil engineering from Texas A&M. His impact on campus extends beyond academia, with his firms serving as engineering consultants for over 60 projects, including the redevelopment of the Zachry Engineering Education Complex and Memorial Student Center.
Outside of his professional career, Steve finds joy in his family life with his wife Lisa, and their daughter, Kaitlyn. His commitment to excellence continues to inspire and shape the future of structural engineering in Texas and beyond.
Brad Worhsam ’88
Aerospace Engineering
Retired
Brad Worsham, a proud Aggie from the class of 1988, embarked on a journey that spans decades of service to the U.S. intelligence community. His career began while pursuing his undergraduate at Texas A&M, where he served as a cooperative education student at the CIA, laying the groundwork for his path in intelligence.
After graduation, Brad's assignments took him around the globe, from the U.S. embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, to supporting defense facilities in Australia. In 1997, he co-founded BIT Systems, an aerospace and defense contracting company, which he later sold in 2014.
Even in retirement, Brad's passion for aviation persisted, earning him numerous certifications as a pilot. His return to academia in 2019 as a professor of practice in the department of aerospace engineering at Texas A&M fulfilled a lifelong dream, inspired by his mentors and the generosity of his own scholarship donors.
Brad's commitment to education and mentorship is evident in his contributions to Texas A&M, including the establishment of endowed scholarships and recognition as an outstanding teacher by aerospace engineering students.
Outside of the academic realm, Brad remains active in the entrepreneurial community, serving as chairman of the board for various organizations. Alongside his wife Liz, he continues to make meaningful contributions to philanthropic causes, while their daughters Hailey ’18 and Alyssa pursue their passions in mechanical engineering and environmental planning, respectively.