Joseph W. Blandford, P.E.
B.S.C.E., 1972
President, Blandford Partnership, LLC
Joe Blandford improved oil and gas recovery efforts through innovative technology that he developed while leading Atlantia Offshore in Houston for more than two decades. His offshore technology focus began while earning a bachelors degree in civil engineering with an ocean option from The University of Texas at Austin in 1972.
After graduation, he designed and constructed tanker terminals for Fluor Ocean Services and completed his masters degree in civil engineering in 1977. In 1979, Blandford founded Atlantia Offshore and now has more than 60 patents to his credit for creating and advancing offshore technology in shallow and deepwater marginal fields.
Under Blandfords leadership as Chairman and CEO, Atlantia installed more than 200 shallow and deep water platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, West Africa, the North Sea and elsewhere. The company received the Tibbetts Award in 1993 from the U.S. Department of Energy for this innovative technology, and received the Technology Excellence Award from the Offshore Technology Conference in 2003.
Atlantia was acquired by a European consortium in 2001, and Blandford has remained professionally active since retiring in 2003. He is president of the board of directors for the Petroleum Club of Houston and is a member of its foundations board of directors. He is also a member of the IPAA, the API, and ASCE. He and his wife Pat have a cattle ranch northwest of Houston, and he is an avid private pilot, with an instrument rating.
Blandford serves on The University's Chancellors Council and the UT Development Board, and is a member of UTs CAEE Academy of Distinguished Alumni. His myriad activities supporting the College of Engineering include: being a life member in Friends of Alec; serving as immediate past chairman of the Engineering Advisory Board; participating in LeaderShape Texas to educate students on leadership skills; supporting faculty recruiting efforts; helping develop the UT Energy Institute; and helping develop a new research building that will foster multidisciplinary College teaching and research projects.
All four of the Blandford clan received their degrees from the University of Texas. Most recently, both daughters received their civil engineering degrees and currently practice in Houston and Austin.