About us
At Childress Engineers, we pride ourselves on being able to provide top quality engineering design while minimizing our clients' total project costs through our knowledge of construction, careful and thorough planning and rapport with area contractors.
Our Story
In 1963, Robert T. Childress, Jr. and Clifford Recer conceived the idea of Childress & Recer, a civil engineering and surveying firm, in the pews of St. Mark United Methodist Church in Cleburne. The partners’ goals were simple: outstanding service to clients who were close enough to allow the partners to sleep in their own beds at night. The story continues in 1990, when they amicably split the business and Childress Engineers began to focus strictly on engineering. In 2004, Bob passed the leadership of the firm to Ben Shanklin and Robert Childress.
Now, with over 60 years of service in civil engineering, even though the firm has expanded, we still concentrate on providing outstanding service and the employees still get to sleep in their own beds.
When you meet us, you'll meet the actual people doing your design work - not just a name on an organizational chart. We don't try to impress clients by sheer manpower and then delegate the design to an engineer in training. Our principals are involved in every phase of the project.
Our People
Benjamin S. Shanklin, P.E.
President
Since 1983, Ben has devoted his career to the development of infrastructure. He has widespread expertise in general civil design, including pump stations, water distribution, streets, airports, sports projects and wastewater treatment.
Texas A&M University, 1979
B.S. – Engineering Technology
University of Texas, 1983
B.S. – Civil Engineering
Robert T. Childress III, P.E.
Vice President
Robert’s attention to detail and client services has been a great asset to the firm. He began his career in 1989 and has extensive experience in the design of water distribution systems, sanitary sewer collection systems, storm sewer facilities, roadways, and railways.
Texas A&M University, 1989
B.S. – Civil Engineering
Tom D. Traut, P.E.
Project Manager
In 1983, Tom began gaining experience in the design of private and public sector projects, including grading, drainage, water distribution, roadways, and aviation. His commercial development projects include hospitals, office parks, schools, churches, and industrial facilities.
Ohio State University, 1980
B.S. – Civil Engineering
Joshua J. Brockett, P.E.
Project Engineer
Josh completed his Marine Corps service in 2004 and embarked on an engineering career. He has years of know-how in planning, design, and construction of municipal and rural facilities, including storm sewer systems, sanitary sewer systems, roadways, and site developments.
Texas A&M University, 1998
B.S. – Agricultural Engineering
Victoria Childress Gutierrez, P.E.
Project Engineer
Victoria has been serving north central Texas in the development of infrastructure since 2020. She is proficient in general civil design, with experience in municipal and rural water distribution systems, and commercial site development.
Texas A&M University, 2020
B.S. – Civil Engineering