Kenneth Flakes, P.E. (BSME 2002) is a native Houstonian and first-generation college graduate. In 1997 Kenneth enrolled at the University of Houston, where he majored in mechanical engineering. While at the University of Houston, he was inducted into the Pi Tau Sigma international mechanical engineering honor society and the Tau Beta Pi national engineering honor society. 

After graduating with his engineering degree, Kenneth began a career in the oil and gas industry, where he has spent two decades leading diverse teams and developing integrated solutions, products, systems, and services. He has also served in various leadership roles for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) South Texas Section, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Houston Professionals, and the University of Houston Engineering Alumni Association. 

Kenneth is a graduate of United Way's Project Blueprint, a program that prepares emerging and current leaders for leadership roles on nonprofit and public sector boards and committees. He also volunteered for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), where he taught math to Burmese refugees in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for 15 months. 

Kenneth has been honored for his service as an ASME finalist for DiscoverE New Faces of Engineering (2006), Young Engineer of the Year for the NSBE Houston Alumni Association (2007), Distinguished Young Engineering Alumni for the University of Houston Engineering Alumni Association (2015), and Member of the Year for the NSBE Houston Professionals (2023). 

Kenneth enjoys traveling and learning about different cultures. He lived in Malaysia for two and a half years and has visited four continents and 18 countries. He is an avid sports fan who has visited over 20 NBA, MLB, and NFL stadiums. His goal is to visit every stadium in these leagues at least once.