Henry Livas, Jr.

Class of 1956. After graduation he received his B.S. Degree in Civil Engineering from Bucknell University. He is retired from N.A.S.A. Langley and Civil Service as of 1998 after serving 35 years in Government Service in the Facility Systems Engineering Division.

Henry specialized as Naval Facilities Engineering, Command Executive, in Management Development, and achieved as a Level I Contracting Officer (5M award Authority). Prior to his many engineering positions, he served as a 2nd Lt. in the US Army Artillery. He later achieved the rank of captain in the reserves.

At Phenix High School he was the number one ranking member of the 1st Phenix tennis team 1954-1956. He won numerous tournaments sponsored by the Virginia Interscholastic Association and the American Tennis Association.

In 1955 and 1956 he won the VIA Championship in singles and doubles. He and his partner, “Billy” Neilson won ATA National Doubles and with Clara Henry in Texas he won the 1955 ATA National Junior Mixed Doubles Championship.

He played 4 years varsity tennis and 1 year freshman basketball. He won over 100 trophies and tennis. Five of his wins were over a younger Arthur Ashe. Later he competed locally to win many tournaments in the men of 35 division of tennis in Hampton, Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

For eight years he served on the Virginia Beach Planning Commission. He has received numerous honors, awards and appointment in the State of Virginia. Appointed by the Governor of Virginia to serve on the Virginia Minority Women Business Enterprise Advisory Committee. Past president of the 300 member Norfolk Area Chapter of the National Contract Management Association.