Gerardo Perez’s journey to becoming a civil engineer is rooted in hard work and a deep connection to his hometown. After years of studying and gaining field experience, Perez— a 2018 Terrell High School graduate—has come full circle. In June 2025, he joined Kimley-Horn, a top 10 civil engineering firm, at its newly opened Terrell office and is ready to give back to the community that helped shape him.
Growing up, Perez never saw himself as a civil engineer. “I worked with my dad doing manual labor and thought I wanted to be a welder,” he said. His perspective changed during a summer job while on a worksite with his dad, when he met a few civil engineers. “I saw how they solve problems, create solutions, and design things that last,” he recalled. That experience sparked his interest in engineering.
After high school, Perez attended TVCC before transferring to the University of Texas at Tyler. There, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in May 2024. Initially, Perez worked for a firm in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, but when he learned Kimley-Horn was opening an office in Terrell in 2024, he saw the perfect opportunity to return home. “I wanted to be close to my family, and I’ve always loved Terrell,” he said.
Kimley-Horn, a respected firm with 150 offices nationwide named to Fortune’s Best Companies to Work For 18 years running, was looking to establish a local presence, and Perez’s experience made him a perfect fit. “We are in the business of serving our clients. The closer we are to them, the more effective we can be,” said Matt Lucas, an 18-year civil engineering veteran at Kimley-Horn, who was instrumental in the decision to open the Terrell office. “Gerardo’s desire to be here and his work ethic stood out to us from the start. We were eager to bring him on board.”
Perez, used to commuting to DFW, was excited about the shorter seven-minute drive. “If I catch all the green lights, I can get there in five,” he joked. But being home meant more than a quick commute—it meant reconnecting with family and friends. “I can visit my grandma during lunch and run into old high school friends. It’s special to be back.”
Perez’s work ethic can be traced back to his dad, who taught him the value of hard work and the belief in doing things right the first time.
“I remember driving my first car, a red 2004 Chevy Silverado. It was my dads and he gave it to me when I turned 16, and I still have it,” he shared. “I was dropped off in PreK in that truck and I finished college in it. It’s been with me through every stage of life, and it represents where I’ve come from.”
He also credits his education in Terrell ISD with laying the foundation for his success. “The math and science courses in high school prepared me for the rigor of college,” he said. “And programs like auto-tech and welding introduced me to the hands-on, problem-solving aspects of engineering that I love.”
As someone who didn’t meet an engineer until he was 16, Perez wants to show the next generation of Terrell students what’s possible. “Kids don’t know how to dream big if they haven’t been exposed to different careers,” he said. “I can now share my story and show them that they can pursue engineering right here in Terrell.”
As for being back home, he shared that he is excited. “I didn’t think I’d come back to Terrell when I was younger. But now I know this is where I want to be. This is home.”