Entrepreneur

Growing up in South Texas, Stephanie Murphy learned about the sacrifices and commitment it takes to build and grow a business from her entrepreneur father, the 2016 HENAAC Engineer of the Year Edelmiro ‘Ed’ Muñiz. 

Ms. Murphy went to work for MEI technologies, her father’s aerospace company, after completing her undergraduate degree in agricultural business form Texas A&M University.  Initially filling entry-level positions, she quickly worked her way through roles with ever increasing degrees of responsibility at the burgeoning company.

While continuing to work full time, she pursued executive development training at Dartmouth University and later completed her executive MBA at Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School. Her rise to the top of the company culminated in 2017 when she was named Executive Chairman.  She’s since secured principal ownership of the company as well.

In the short time Ms. Murphy has owned and operated MEI Technologies, revenues have increased by over 30% and operating income has increased by more than 50%.  She currently directs over 200 employees with revenues exceeding $40 Million annually.

She has proven particularly adept at identifying and winning contracts in the commercial space sector.  In an innovative contract with NASA, for example, Ms. Murphy secured $10 million up front to develop, deploy, and operate a materials testing facility for the International Space Station. 

Ever the entrepreneur, she founded and operates additional companies that specialize in specific deliverables and services not part of MEI’s core business.  The most significant of these is Alpha Space, which owns and manages the testing facility now orbiting aboard the International Space Station and is well-positioned for further growth in this arena. With Ms. Murphy at the helm, Alpha Space is currently the only Hispanic-owned and female-owned company operating commercially in space.

With a strong belief in giving back and making an impact in her community, she has been invited to speak at national conferences and at her alma mater, Ms. Murphy will be featured in a university video for aspiring business leaders. She orchestrated a partnership with her company (Alpha Space) and San Jacinto Community College (Houston) for the college’s female students to develop and send experiments to the ISS.

Ms. Murphy is laso starting a second STEM outreach program with the International Air and Space Program, a partnership between AEXA Aerospace and Space Center Houston, that introduces students from all continents to STEM. She accepted the 2018 nomination to Chair the Houston Minority Supplier Development Council EXPO Business Opportunity.

Ms. Murphy serves with Girlstart as a council member, the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce as an advisory board member, the Aggie Women Network  as a board member, and the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership  as a member of their Board of Directors.