M.S. Interdisciplinary Engineering, Texas A&M, 1981
M.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington, 1980
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington, 1973

Mr. Braswell began his career with Bell as a co-op in the Mechanical Systems Design Group (then Bell’s designation for the research organization) while pursuing his BSME. Upon graduation, he joined Bell as a design engineer in Mechanical Systems Design. There, he aided the design and development of prototype composite main rotor blades and was assigned design lead for the Model 206LM four-bladed soft-in-plane rotor blade, Bell’s first four-bladed prototype.

He joined the Rotor Systems Group in 1975, supporting the design of production rotor hubs, rotating controls and rotor blades. In 1982, he was promoted to group engineer of Rotor Blade Design. Mr. Braswell has also served as group engineer of Light Helicopter Rotor System Design, supervising the design of blades, hubs, and rotating controls for Models 47, 206, 406, 222, and 230. He rose through promotions to lead other groups at Bell, eventually becoming manager of Rotor Systems Design in 2007, and Technical Fellow in August, 2007. He holds several patents on various aspects of helicopter rotors and proprotors.