The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics was officially recognized by SHPE National as a professional chapter on February 7, 2003. The chapter was founded by Michael Gutierrez, who was motivated to start a local SHPE chapter at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company (LM Aero) after attending the National Technical & Career Conference as a company recruiter in 2002. Not long after, Michael and other employees presented a general information meeting to Lockheed Martin employees discussing the possibility of forming a SHPE professional chapter. Those in attendance displayed a great deal of interest, and with the help of the Region 5 Vice President and the Presidents Council, the by-laws were soon ratified and the chapter was established.

The SHPE at LM Aero Professional Chapter came about at a key point in the company’s history, when a large influx of new employees (many of which were Hispanic) came onboard following Lockheed Martin’s award of the Joint Strike Fighter Program (now known as the F-35 Lighting II). The chapter provided sense of community for these employees in their pursuit of developing Hispanics professionally and spreading Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM) access and awareness among the local Hispanic community.

Since its inception, the chapter has participated in numerous events and activities aimed at empowering the Hispanic community of Fort Worth such as career days, science nights, mentoring, leadership development, professional development, networking, and social activities. The chapter has had eight presidents since its establishment: 

In 2004, SHPE at LM Aero began managing the Annual Hispanic College Fund (HCF) Golf Tournament, held that year at the Squaw Creek Golf Course.  The event was successful – in the subsequent three years HCF grossed approximately $15,000, $16,000 and $19,000 with SHPE at the helm.  

Since attaining its status as an official 501c3 non-profit organization in 2010, SHPE at LM Aero began running its own golf tournament and established a scholarship program funded largely by the proceeds of the tournament and funds donated by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.  Since 2011, SHPE at LM Aero has awarded over $50,000 in scholarships to students pursuing degrees in the fields of STEM.

As of February 2019, SHPE at LM Aero had 32 paid members and seeks to return to large chapter status with SHPE National by reaching at least 50 members by the end of June 2019.

The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) at LM Aero seeks to empower the Hispanic community of Fort Worth to attain careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and excel as technical and professional leaders