Fourteenth Generation

1354. Kristi Lynn GRIGGS was born on 6 April 1967 in Belleville, St. Clair County, IL.^25,83 Kristi was born in Illinois while her dad was stationed at Scott Air Force Base, near St. Louis. She was christened in May 1967 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI.⁸³ She graduated in June 1985 in West Allis, Milwaukee County, WI.⁸³ from West Allis Central High School, where she was a stand-out player in basketball and volleyball. Kristi graduated in August 1989 in Eau Claire, Eau Claire Township, Eau Claire County, WI.⁸³ from the University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education/Corporate Exercise Management. She was selected as an All-American in volleyball.

Following graduation from college, Kristi moved to North Carolina and she was employed for several years in Occupational Health in the Corporate Fitness Center at Burroughs-Wellcome.

In October, 2000, she was elected by the University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire to their Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2022, she was elected to the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Atletic Conference Hall of Fame.

Her citation reads: "Kristi (Griggs) Walston was a member of UW-Eau Claire’s women’s volleyball team from 1985-88 and a two-time NCAA Division III All-American from the American Volleyball Coaches Association, securing first team recognition in 1988 and second team honors in 1987.

Walston was a member of UW-Eau Claire’s first two teams that participated in the NCAA Division III Championship (1987 and 1988), when only 24 teams qualified. The 1987 squad produced a sterling 52-3 record – the most wins in program history for a single season – and captured the conference title. Overall, the Blugolds were 165-44 during Walston’s career.

She was a three-time all-conference first team selection (1986-88) and owned school single-season records upon graduation with 485 kills, 1,037 kill attempts and 59 solo blocks.

In 2000, Walston was inducted into the UW-Eau Claire Hall of Fame. In 2012, she was selected to the WIAC Women’s Volleyball All-Time Team in conjunction with the conference’s Centennial Celebration.

Walston earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education. She resides in Wake Forest, N.C., with her husband Bobby. They have two sons Andrew and Eric, and two daughters Nicole and Katelyn." She was elected in 2000 in Eau Claire, Eau Claire Township, Eau Claire County, WI.⁸³ In October, 2000, she was elected to the University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Athletic Hall of Fame.

In 2022, she was elected to the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Atletic Conference Hall of Fame. Her citation reads: "Kristi (Griggs) Walston was a member of UW-Eau Claire’s women’s volleyball team from 1985-88 and a two-time NCAA Division III All-American from the American Volleyball Coaches Association, securing first team recognition in 1988 and second team honors in 1987.

She was a three-time all-conference first team selection (1986-88) and owned school single-season records upon graduation with 485 kills, 1,037 kill attempts and 59 solo blocks.

Walston earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education. She resides in Wake Forest, N.C., with her husband Bobby. They have two sons Andrew and Eric, and two daughters Nicole and Katelyn."

Kristi Lynn GRIGGS and Bobby Lee WALSTON Professional Engineer were married on 7 December 1996 in Raleigh, Wake County, NC.^83,781 in the Providence Baptist Church.
Bobby Lee WALSTON Professional Engineer, son of Robert WALSTON and Susie Irene POLLARD, was born on 18 February 1967 in Tarboro, Edgecombe County, NC.^25,83 He graduated in 1990 in Raleigh, Wake County, NC.⁸³ with a BS Degree in Civil Engineering from North Carolina State University. After 1990 he was in Raleigh, Wake County, NC.⁸³ He worked for the North Carolina Department of Transportation, specializing in the development and administration of airports and navigation systems throughout the state. He retired in 2023 as the department's Director of Aviation and took a position with Crown Consulting, Inc. as their Senior Aviation Consultant.

His DOT retirement citation reads as follows: "The N.C. Department of Transportation has bid farewell to Director of Aviation Bobby Walston as he retired April 28 after 33 years with the program.

“From the first days joining Aviation, I have loved this industry and the opportunities aviation provides for so many – from protecting our nation to saving lives to connecting people and products to markets all over the world – I have seen it all,” Walston said. “I have loved introducing newcomers to the field, from local officials managing their public airports to young people discovering the world of aviation careers available. There are so many things about this form of transportation that inspires me and so many others.”

Walston, a registered professional engineer with extensive experience in aviation planning, programming and airport engineering and construction, was recognized earlier in April with the N.C. Governor’s Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award. The award is among the highest honors given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the state and their communities through service and exceptional accomplishments.

The Tarboro native holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from N.C. State University and a master’s degree in military operational art and science from the U.S. Air Force Air University's Air Command and Staff College.

He joined the N.C. Department of Transportation in 1990 through the Transportation Engineering Associate (TEA) Progam, becoming the division’s first TEA and a mentee of the late Willard G. Plentl, Jr., the state’s first aviation director. Since his time as a TEA, Walston has held numerous roles at NCDOT, including airport planning engineer, airport development engineer and manager of statewide plans and programs.

Walston has served as director of aviation for NCDOT since 2013, leading initiatives that promote a safe and robust air transportation system and vibrant economy. His work led to significant innovation in the state’s air transportation system, from developing the state’s first statewide airport contract program to save tax dollars to creating a first-of-its-kind tiered classification system with objective criteria for prioritizing grant funding.

Under his leadership, an economic development program was established within the Division to help airports recruit new businesses, state funding for airport development climbed nearly 500 percent, becoming the second-highest level of state investment in the country behind Florida, oversight of state aviation funds reached an all-time high and North Carolina has become a national leader in unmanned air transportation.

In addition to his 33 years of service within NCDOT, Walston served 28 years in the N.C. Air National Guard for years, achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel in 2010. He also served as chair on the Executive Board of the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) and received the organization’s top awards: a NASAO Exemplary Service Award, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to NASAO and lifelong dedication to the aviation industry, and the Kenneth Rowe Ambassador of Aviation Award, which honors state aviation directors who embody the award namesake’s spirit, optimism and fierce pride in the capabilities of state aviation agencies. He also received an N.C. Airport Association’s President’s Award and its Willard G. Plentl, Jr. Airport Professional of the Year Award for working tirelessly to raise awareness and the impact of aviation in North Carolina and the nation.

“I’m humbled and honored to have had the pleasure to serve this division and role in the state where manned flight began,” Walston said. “With so many leaders and great people working in this space in our state, I’m certain the forecast for continued success is clear and bright!” Bobby served in the military between 1994 and 2022 in North Carolina.⁸³ He was a member of the North Carolina Air National Guard and earned a Masters Degree from US Air Force Air Command and Staff College. He served as a Civil Engineering Staff Officer for 13 years, before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Kristi Lynn GRIGGS and Bobby Lee WALSTON Professional Engineer had the following children:

1503	i.	Andrew Lee WALSTON was born on 10 February 1999 in Raleigh, Wake County, NC.⁸³
1504	ii.	Eric Shea WALSTON was born on 1 March 2001 in Raleigh, Wake County, NC.⁸³
1505	iii.	Nicole Kristine WALSTON was born on 8 January 2003 in Raleigh, Wake County, NC.⁸³ She was born at 3:42 p.m., weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces, and was 20 1/2 inches long.
1506	iv.	Katelyn Belle WALSTON was born on 14 March 2008 in Raleigh, Wake County, NC.⁸³⁴ She was born at 5:09 am, weighed 5 lbs, 14 ounces and was 20 inches long.