Hi there, I'm
Antonio A Mireles
Born in 1942 in Laredo, Texas, I am the proud son of humble American parents that lovingly instilled me and my two brothers with valuable principles of honesty, hard work, and never give up attitudes. My father used to say, whatever you do in life, is worth doing your best; and you never give up! During hard times, my mother would remind my father and us boys, of her belief, in Faith and encourage him with her saying, “NO HAY MAL QUE POR BIEN, NO VENGA” which I interpreted to mean; “WHEN SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS TO YOU, LIKE LOSING YOUR JOB, EXPECT GOOD THINGS TO COME, NEW DOORS TO OPEN, SO DON’T EVER GIVE UP BUT, ALWAYS PRAY AND LOOK FORWARD TO BETTER TIMES THAT WILL SURELY COME! My early years were filled with childhood adventures bonding with my brothers, the Mathematician-Philosopher, and the future MARINE. We were blessed to experience a loving family and the rich cultural heritage of a Spanish-speaking. household, a language that was my first until I stepped into school. From the vibrant streets of Laredo to the academic halls of San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, and Houston, my journey was a tapestry of Texan landscapes and values. My entrepreneurial spirit sparked at the tender age of five in Laredo, where I collected onions from the “onion mountains”, underneath a warehouse near railroad sidings and sold them door-to-door. This early taste of business led to many various odd jobs throughout my college years, all while I pursued my studies in engineering.
Early in my career, I volunteered to serve in disasters, with the U.S Army Corps of Engineers in Florida which also led to serving in emergency disaster relief operations as a Project Engineer in Pennsylvania after Hurricane Agnes. This role taught me the importance of quick decisive action and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing situations. This service also earned me a Certificate of Appreciation and Multiple Commendation Awards. My dedication to service and engineering excellence was also further recognized by the FHWA, Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration which led to subsequent Federal Transfers at promotion levels. First, to serve as a Structural Bridge Engineer for two tours in the Panama Division, on the Darien Gap Highway Program; followed by promotion to serve as Bridge Engineer on the Northeast Corridor Program between Washington and Boston. Subsequently, I was promoted competitively to serve in KUWAIT, as Highway Construction Engineer, for Local Projects; as well as Project Engineer reporting directly to the MPW Chief Engineer for several major Bridge and Infrastructure Projects where I served for 4 tours (8 Years). Internationally, my work as an adviser on Local Projects with FHWA, and as a Project Engineer & Engineer’s Representative, with KUWAIT’s MPW ; and as a Senior Project Engineer in SAUDI ARAMCO expanded my horizons. The Design and Construction of the original Bubiyan Bridge and the development of the first Bubiyan Island Access Roads were monumental tasks that required innovative engineering solutions. These project bridge and roads were not just about building structures; they were about creating pathways that connected people. and facilitated further infrastructures growth.
Throughout my career, I’ve been honored with several awards that recognized my commitment to engineering. In 1987, I was awarded a Special Commendation Plaque for my outstanding efforts in Kuwait’s Highway Construction Program. This was a significant achievement in my career and a testament to my teams’ dedication. In 1998, I received a Certificate of Appreciation for my work on the Shaybah Projects in Saudi Arabia. These recognitions were proud moments, reflecting my contributions to international infrastructure development. In every project I undertook, my focus was always on delivering engineering solutions that-were, not only effective but also sustainable and beneficial to the communities they served. From my early days in Laredo to my work across the globe, my career in civil engineering has been a journey of challenges, learning, and immense satisfaction. The projects I worked on and the awards I received are milestones that mark my journey in this dynamic field. My career is a story of relentless pursuit of engineering excellence, defined by significant contributions to land development, infrastructure, and emergency management. My work has spanned continents and cultures. I like to think my experiences have made me not just an engineer, but a global ambassador of civil engineering innovation and resilience. The array of awards and recognitions I have received are testaments to my performance & unwavering commitment to my profession. I give credit to them and believe my Mom and Dad would be proud to see the results of their teachings!