Darwin L. Lankford, P.E., has been named the Childress District Engineer for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) effective October 1, 2021. In this role, Darwin will oversee the planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of the transportation system for the 13 county District.

Darwin received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Texas Tech University in December of 1988. He then joined TxDOT and began working full time as an Engineering Assistant in the Childress Area Office in January of 1989. Darwin worked on a variety of design, construction and maintenance projects leading up to his licensure as a Professional Engineer in February of 1994. In August of 1997, he became the Childress District’s Advanced Planning Engineer and then in November of 1999 he became the District’s Construction Engineer. In April of 2004, Darwin became the Childress District Director of Operations, a position he currently holds.

During his career he has helped lead numerous emergency response operations including winter storms, wildland fires, tornados and hurricanes. He also worked with Texas Tech University in creating the TxDOT training curriculums for Winter Weather and Wildland Fire Response. He served as an instructor for both courses. Darwin pioneered the use of Brine in TXDOT’s Winter Weather Pretreatment Program. Recently, Darwin received the 2021 RAMP Coordinator of the Year award at the Annual Aviation Conference.

Darwin is married to his wife Tanya of 18 years and they have two children. Bethany is a Baylor graduate and is currently working on her Master’s degree from Wake Forest University. She is engaged to Jordan Magers who is serving our country in the United States Coast Guard as a Medical Technician. Their son Matthew works in his grandfather’s business in Childress. In their spare time, Darwin and Tanya enjoy spending time with their family.