Since 2001, Wilma L. Howell Davis has excelled at Bell Helicopter in Texas, serving as a software engineer within its flight simulation area and then as the engineering chief of simulation integration. In the latter role, she both supervises and provides technical direction to engineers in developing flight simulators used for rotorcraft product research, development, and marketing. In addition, she creates mathematical models of aircraft parts in threat environments.

Wielding bachelor’s degrees in computer science and mathematics, as well as minors in electrical engineering, Ms. Davis was inspired to pursue a career as an engineer by a high school teacher and further encouraged by her professors at the University of Texas. She started out at General Dynamics in 1984 before becoming a staff software engineer at Lockheed Martin for several years. Outside of his primary endeavors, she created a robot arm for the children of the Expanding Your Horizons Network, an organization that strives to contribute to the public understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. She also formed a group at her church that utilizes technology for discipleship among the youth, aged 12 to 18.

As a testament to her accomplished career, Ms. Davis has accrued numerous accolades, including a Legacy Award from Bell Helicopter, a nomination as Black Engineer of the Year by CC Magazine, and most recently, in 2024, an All-Star Award from the Society of Women Engineers—an organization she’s a proud member of. Looking ahead, she’d like to retire from Bell Helicopter and focus on teaching technology-related subjects at the college level, particularly at historically Black colleges and universities.

Ms. Davis is currently just a few classes away from earning a master’s degree and plans on obtaining a doctorate.