Eric Criswell (’99)

“My whole life has been impacted by the decisions and people that were around me during my time at CBU! I am grateful for the impact that this network of individuals has meant to my life!”

After graduating from CBU in 1999 with a degree in Civil Engineering, Eric joined his former classmates Marshall Davis (’99) and Gerry Patrikios (’99) to found Davis Patrikios Criswell, Inc. (DPC) in 2006 — where he is still an owner, Vice President, and practicing Professional Engineer. One of their first prominent projects was the TERRA House, West Tennessee’s first residential home to follow three sets of “green” standards, which was accomplished in partnership with the University of Memphis Center for Sustainable Design. Since then, Eric has served as lead engineer at DCP for numerous projects in and around the Memphis area, including Mirimichi Golf Course, City of Memphis Wolf River Interceptor, MLGW McCord Pumping Station, and the I-40/I-240 Interchange Reconstruction project.

Eric was named to the Memphis Business Journal “Top 40 Under 40” in 2008, was recognized as a CBU Distinguished Young Alumnus in 2009, and helped lead DPC to be recognized as a Memphis Business Journal “Small Business Awards” finalist in 2019.

Much of Eric’s professional work is reflective of creating an inclusive community and teaching others — whether it be his working with the Downtown Memphis Commission to save and restore many of Memphis’ iconic downtown structures or his work as a LEED Accredited Professional to encourage and promote sustainable construction practices in Memphis.

In his personal life, Eric and his wife, Angel Barritt Criswell (Biology ’99), are the parents of three daughters — the oldest of whom, Abbey Criswell (’21), just graduated from CBU with a BS in Biology. His church leadership and missionary work exemplifies faith in the presence of God, concern for the poor, and social justice. Eric was a worship pastor and youth pastor at Arlington Assembly of God for 15 years, and he is currently a service pastor, prayer partner, Discovery host, and Axis youth tribe leader at the Life Church of Memphis —where he is also a pre-marital and marital coach for the church’s Winning in your Marriage Champion ministry. He completed the Life Leadership Foundations and Life Leadership Year One program — a year-long ministry internship that teaches Christian-based life, ministry, and leadership principles.

Eric has traveled the world to perform mission work, including two missionary trips to Belize, a missionary trip to Kenya, and the dedication of three churches and three water wells in India to colleagues without Christian churches or access to clean water. In his travels, Eric is also an avid professional photographer and has been rather successful in National Geographic’s Travel Photographer of the Year competition, with selections chosen as editors’ favorites. (Check out his work on Instagram at @ecriswell.) “I love to travel and experience cultures, history, and language,” he says. “I feel that it connects me to other people to broaden my understanding of different people, groups and cultures.”

I will always remember my time in the ASCE Student Chapter. We made several concrete canoes during my time at CBU, and they were perfect opportunities to learn something important while building life changing relationships! I would encourage everybody to not do life alone while at CBU. Find a tribe, get knee deep in something together, and learn to do something you never thought was possible.