TAMPA, FL — VHB announces that Kathleen Keen, PE, has been named Managing Director of its Gulf Coast offices. An engineer and 14-year veteran of the company, Keen will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of VHB’s Tampa and Sarasota offices, as well as developing and implementing strategies to drive growth and success.

Keen brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to VHB Gulf Coast. Her background in civil engineering, transportation planning, design, and permitting, and managing large projects includes private, institutional, and public-sector clients like the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), Harvard University, and Boston Properties. As an advisor to Harvard University, Keen provided transportation planning and engineering services, master planning, corridor studies, development, and permitting on multiple projects, including the Enterprise Research Campus. She was also a key team member partnering with MassDOT and Boston Properties on the 1265 Main Street development and transportation improvements to advance one of Boston’s most critical transportation corridors along Route 128/I-95.  

“Kathleen is a leader across VHB and a true champion of our OneVHB culture,” said Matt Lamb, Southeast Regional Manager. “New England region clients have trusted her to lead game-changing transformational projects, and we can’t wait to bring that same leadership to the Gulf Coast. Kathleen sees the big, strategic picture.”

Keen joined VHB as a Cooperative Education (Co-Op) student from Northeastern University, where she earned a Bachelor of Applied Science in civil and environmental engineering. Her leadership and support as Co-Chair of the VHB Co-Op Open House for Northeastern students led to the company being honored with the 2022 Outstanding Employer Award from Northeastern University College of Engineering. She is also the Co-Director of VHB Cares, the company's employee-led giving program, which focuses on making a positive impact in the communities where VHBers live and work through charitable initiatives like the VBay online auction week. Under her leadership, VHB Cares raised more than $440,000 in 2023 for supported charities.

“This is an energetic and talented Gulf Coast team, and that’s reflected in the way we help clients foster safe, sustainable, and smart infrastructure that both benefits our community and protects Florida’s unique natural resources,” Keen said. “From aviation and health care, to real estate and transportation, there’s a lot of opportunity for us to make a positive impact in the region.”

Keen is also a member of the Institute of Transportation Engineers and has presented at the American Council of Engineering Companies Annual Conference on identifying talent and defining culture in the new age of work.