Kenneth Flakes, PE (BSME ’02) is an engineering manager at OneSubsea, a Schlumberger. Company OneSubsea is the global leader in integrated solutions, products, systems and services for the subsea oil and gas industry.

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Kenneth enrolled at the University of Houston in the fall of 1997 after graduating from Ross Sterling High School as valedictorian. While studying mechanical engineering at UH, he was active in NSBE, ASME, Pi Tau Sigma, and Tau Beta Pi. While in NSBE he served as the co-membership chair and on the planning committee for the Regional Conference that NSBE hosted in 2003.

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Upon graduation from UH as cum laude, he began working for Cameron. After completing an 18-month training program, he worked in surface wellhead for two years before going to subsea systems. He worked for nearly four years as a flowline connection systems engineer before relocating to Malaysia to work a two-and- a-half year assignment as a systems engineer. Once he completed his project in Malaysia he returned to Houston as an engineering manager in the flowline connection systems organization.

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On a professional level, Kenneth is a member of the ASME South Texas Section where he has served as the chairperson for diversity and outreach. He was recognized by ASME as one of the finalists for New Faces of Engineering. He has served as the Programs Chair for the NSBE Houston Professionals chapter and was recognized as their 2007 Young Engineer of the Year. Kenneth has also served on the UH Engineering Week committee. In 2015, he was named the Distinguished Young Engineering Alumnus by the University of Houston.

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In his spare time, Kenneth enjoys teaching and mentoring. While in Malaysia, he spent 15 months teaching math to Burmese refugees. He was a graduating member of United Way’s Project Blueprint Class XXVI. Kenneth enjoys traveling, has visited 18 countries, and is an avid sports fan.