Debra P. Hicks, President and CEO, Pettigrew & Associates

Debra P. Hicks, PE/LSI, graduated from NMSU with a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering in 1983. Hicks started her career as a summer intern at Pettigrew & Associates in 1979 and went on to purchase the firm in 1990, now President and CEO. Throughout her 30-plus-year career, her engineering experience has spanned a broad range of projects in industrial, community, housing and large infrastructure facilities.

At the same time, Hicks has dedicated her effort and talents toward supporting New Mexico’s communities, educational institutions, economic development and the engineering profession.

Hicks has served New Mexico’s educational community in many roles. She served 14 years as a trustee at the University of the Southwest including a two-year term as Chair; Director for New Mexico Junior College Foundation for two terms, serving one term as chair; Regent for New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology; and president for the Academy of Civil, Agricultural and Geological Engineering at NMSU. Hicks currently serves as Director for Eagle Trust Foundation Inc., and secretary of the New Mexico Higher Education Regents’ Coalition. Hicks also works extensively to promote STEM education in New Mexico through numerous initiatives.

Hicks is president-elect of the American Council of Engineering Companies, New Mexico, and President of Lea County Community Improvement Corporation. Hicks received recognition for Contributions in Economic Development for the state of New Mexico in 2008, was named New Mexico Woman of Influence by Albuquerque Business First in 2013 and Top CEOs in 2015.

In leadership to the engineering profession, Hicks has served as director and president for the New Mexico Engineering Foundation, section chair and director for the American Council of Independent Laboratories, president for the Southeastern Chapter of the New Mexico Society of Professional Engineers, and Public Relations Committee for the National Society of Professional Engineers.

After serving by gubernatorial appointment on both the New Mexico Transportation Commission and the New Mexico Tech Board of Regents, Hicks returned to her alma mater being appointed in early 2015 by Governor Susana Martinez. Regent Hicks serves as chair of the Regents Financial Strategies, Performance and Budget Committee and member of the Regents Audit and Risk Committee.