Distinguished Mechanical Engineer
B.S., Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 1982
M.S., Education Administration, Tarleton State University, 2005
Randy L. Charles, a native of Houston, TX, attended Kashmere Senior High School from 1974-1977. Randy participated in multiple extracurricular activities throughout his time in high school including Student Council, Advanced Choir, Drama Club, French Club, the Honor Society whereby he served as President, and varsity football where he served as one of the team captains. Voted as the “Most Studious” in his junior year, Randy finished in the Top Ten of his senior class, selected as Kashmere’s HISD “Most Outstanding Senior Boy” for the Class of 1977, and the recipient of the Barbara Jordan Scholarship, Jessie H. Jones Endowment Scholarship, and an academic scholarship from the University of Texas.
Randy furthered his education at The University of Texas at Austin graduating with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in May 1982. He subsequently went to work in the oil and gas industry for Sun Oil Company as an operations engineer. Over the course of an 18-year career, Randy provided engineering support to field operational teams located in Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming, Louisiana, and Offshore Gulf of Mexico. He was a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas.
Randy embarked on a career path that led him to the field of Education in 1999. He taught seventh grade math for 4 years, became an assistant principal for 2 years, and eventually served as a Middle School Principal for 3 years, all within the Lake Dallas Independent School District. Randy obtained a Master of Education from Tarleton State University in May 2005 with an emphasis in Educational Administration.
After fulfilling his mission of an educator and administrator, Randy transitioned back into the oil and gas business in 2008 and is currently employed by Denbury Resources Inc. located in Plano, Texas. Randy serves as an Asset Team Leader and facilitates a team of engineers, engineering technicians, and geologists who provides technical support to field operations in Montana. After working a combined 33 years in oil and gas and 9 years in education, Randy has his sights set on retiring November 2023!
Randy is a Life Member of the Texas Exes, a Legacy Griot of the Texas Exes Black Alumni Network, a member of The Precursors of UT Austin, a member of the Cor Vitae Society of the American Heart Association, a member of the Advisory Council for the College of Education at The University of Texas at Austin, a member of the UT Austin Development Board, a member of St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Flower Mound, Texas, and a Kashmere Former Athletes Association (KFAA) 2020 Ring of Honor Inductee and dedicated supporter of KFAA’s efforts to provide scholarships to the graduating athletes of Kashmere High School.
Randy is married to his devoted wife, Gloria, of 37 years and they have one son (Philip) and guardianship of their niece (Andrea). Like so many who has had the privilege of attending UT Austin, Randy is beyond grateful for the blessings he has received as a UT Grad and considers it an honor to join the legacy of the “Many” who lay claim that “What Started Here at UT-Austin, Forever Changed My World!”
