Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Dallas/Fort Worth

the dallas-fort worth professional chapter of the society of hispanic professional engineers (shpe-dfw) was the first professional chapter to be established in the organization. fernando laclette, an engineer for rockwall international, joined shpe in 1976 in southern california and became a member of the shpe board of directors. fernando was transferred to dallas, texas in 1979, and soon experienced a longing for the association with shpe. he spread the message of the mission and purpose of shpe to his fellow hispanic engineers at rockwall international, and built a network with hispanic engineers at general dynamics in fort worth. fernando laclette, and co-founder alberto gutierrez, organized hispanic engineers from dallas and fort worth into a professional association, developed the constitution and bylaws, and petitioned shpe to be recognized as the first ever professional chapter in 1981. shpe-dfw was instrumental in setting up student chapters at southern methodist university (