A man responsible for the development of the Texas port system has been posthumously inducted into the Texas Transportation Institute’s (TTI’s) Texas Transportation Hall of Honor as its 31st member.
The children of Frank H. Newnam, Jr., were presented the award during the 75th anniversary celebration of Lockwood, Andrews and Newnam, Inc. (LAN), a Houston based engineering firm in which Newman was a partner.
“The TTI Hall of Honor Board is pleased to honor Frank Newnam, who is the epitome of a Texas transportation pioneer,” said TTI Agency Director Dennis Christiansen. “During his 28-year career at LAN, he developed the original Port of Houston master plan, master plans for other major ports in Texas, and the first master plan for the George Bush Intercontinental Airport. His significant contributions have shaped multiple modes of travel throughout our state.”
Newnam was a 1931 graduate of Texas A&M University, where he was enrolled in the ROTC program. He spent 10 years with the Texas Highway Department before being called into active duty with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the China Theater.
After retiring from the Corps of Engineers in 1946, Newnam joined the engineering firm of Lockwood and Andrews and became a company partner. Through his work, Newman streamlined and modernized the shipment of goods and services at Texas ports.
“On behalf of Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, we are proud to accept this prestigious award from TTI honoring one of our founders, Frank H. Newnam, Jr.,” said LAN President Dennis Petersen. “His accomplishments and leadership formed a solid foundation for the firm, which we continue to build on today. It was doubly rewarding that we could celebrate the award and LAN’s 75th anniversary at the same event.”
Newnam’s granddaughter spoke at the ceremony. “Frank (grandpa) was a down to earth man- well spoken, understated, articulate, and funny,” she said. “Thank you, TTI, for recognizing his talents and gifts as an engineer. He never needed awards or looked for them, but would surely have appreciated this type of recognition from the state he so dearly loved, Texas.”