Events > Tilt-Up Academy > Featured Speaker

Karen began working in tilt-up construction shortly after joining Needham DBS in 1998. Trained in tilt-up design by TCA College of Fellows honoree Jeffrey Needham, a protege of David Kelly, she has been instrumental to the success of the concrete tilt-up division for Needham DBS. She has a clear understanding of construction methods as a result of hands on experience and the close relationships developed with design-build clients and contractors.  With 20 years of experience in design and detailing of tilt-up panels, including innovative and specialty applications, she is known and admired in the industry.

With a master’s degree in Engineering Management, Karen has grown the concrete division within Needham DBS and has turned over many of her accounts to next generation leaders to focus efforts on business operations, business development, marketing and sales for the firm. Karen is responsible for engineering management, project management and engineering for Needham DBS. In July 2018 she was promoted to President of Needham DBS and is managing the Operations of the Kansas City office.

Karen is currently serving on the TCA Board of Directors and the ACI 551 Tilt-Up Concrete Committee. She actively participated in the High Wind Task Force that assembled a report in response to the Joplin MO EF5 tornado. This engagement enabled her to work with peers in the industry, gathering information and effectively disseminating it to others.