Debra D. Curry won a Community Service in Industry Award at a recent event in Washington D.C. As a principal engineer, she has been an integral part of systems engineering at Bell for fourteen years.

Debra is directly responsible for managing the design requirements for multiple aircraft systems design teams. She has also chaired the Bell African Ancestry Networking group and organized engagement and outreach opportunities for members.

Debra is passionate about promoting science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in the Dallas-Fort Worth community and in local schools. She represents the Bell core value of “Lift Each Other Up” and thinking of how her actions impact others and align with what’s best for the company and community.

"STEM is part of my pedigree," Debra said in her acceptance speech at the awards ceremony. "My father worked in the aerospace industry as a mechanical engineer, and my mother was a mathematician. I grew up learning about heroes, such as my great uncle Dr. Walter McAfee and his contributions to the NASA Diana project.

"As a product of these examples, I had a distinct awareness of the opportunities available within the STEM industry and thrived because of it," she added. "My parents modeled giving back to those who are less fortunate, and it became my obligation and legacy to do the same. By making children aware of career possibilities in STEM, I feel it helps to level the economic playing field. Thank you for honoring my efforts," she said.