Engineer credits success to childhood in Sikeston

SIKESTON, Mo. -- When John Longstreet was in high school, his life revolved around football. He even received an athletic scholarship to Southwest Missouri State University, where he was named 1984 Coors Player of the Year in football.

Lately he's been busy signing autographs, but not because of sports.

Longstreet was recently named 2002 Black Engineer of the Year at an awards conference in Baltimore, Md. He earned the title for his work as manager of technical support for Toyota Motors Production Engineering Division.

"My group is responsible for the investigation, development, installation, and training of digital engineering applications for Toyota North America Production Engineering Groups," he said.

Now living in Cincinnati, Ohio, he's come a long way from growing up in Sikeston. But he hasn't forgotten where he came from.

"I had such a great childhood in Sikeston," he said fondly. "The person I am today was strongly influenced by the memories I have from my hometown. I know there were many people who created who I am. In many ways the success that I have is an honor to them for their support."

Longstreet said he's flattered to have earned the title Black Engineer of the Year, noting that Toyota actually nominated him for the United States Black Engineer of the Year Award. Although he didn't receive the award on the national level, he did receive recognition by the U.S. Black Engineer magazine, which features him in a special section in the March/April edition.

"Toyota prides itself on the ability and accomplishments of the engineering team," Longstreet said. "The recognition of being that engineer who Toyota Motors felt was a leader within the Toyota Engineering Group is the most gratifying professional recognition possible."

Although his wife, Cassandra, son Michael, 23, and daughters Megan, 15, and Cassie, 11, are thrilled to be living with a celebrity of their own, no one could be prouder than his mother.

"I think it's great," said Sikeston's Goletha Longstreet. "He was always interested in sports, but I think everything changed when he married right after school. I'm not surprised that Johnny's done as well as he has, though. He's always been a go-getter."