ST. PAUL, MN — KLJ announces the addition of Kurt Zmich as the company’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Jess Karls as Associate Vice President of Transportation.Zmich brings more than 30 years of experience in environmental engineering, civil engineering, project management, and business leadership. He is a proven leader with significant experience in the engineering industry. Over the course of his career, he has served in several leadership roles, most recently as COO for a national multi-disciplinary engineering firm with operations in the Southern U.S., and prior to that he served as a Senior Vice President of Operations for a national environmental consulting firm.

“We are seeing growth across our footprint with opportunities to provide solutions to communities of all sizes," said CEO Eric Michel. "Kurt brings the right energy and perspective to our growth and development."

As COO, Zmich will lead KLJ’s services delivery operations, managing performance and operational alignment with KLJ’s strategic growth plan. Ultimately this ensures KLJ continues to deliver the customer experience its clients expect.

”We are looking forward to working with Kurt and leveraging his extensive operational leadership experience as we grow our company," said Senior Vice President of Energy and Natural Resources, Lanny Harris. "The infrastructure bill and other funding opportunities makes this a very exciting time to be in the engineering industry. Kurt joins us at a key time of change and growth [as] we look to KLJ’s next chapter."

Zmich earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He is a Professional Engineer in several states, and a member of Chi Epsilon (Civil Engineering Honor Society) and the American Society of Civil Engineers.

As Associate Vice President of Transportation, Karls will oversee the client management of the company’s transportation services. Specifically, Karls will focus her efforts on helping support the North Dakota Department of Transportation, ensuring projects are delivered effectively and efficiently, utilizing all infrastructure-related services KLJ provides.

“Jess has vast experience working on a variety of projects," said Mark Anderson, Senior Vice President of KLJ. "Focusing her efforts on one of the company’s longest-standing clients helps ensure we are continually providing the exceptional experience our clients expect."

Karls, who works from KLJ’s West Fargo, North Dakota, location, joined the company in 2007 and most recently served as a Production Director and Department Manager for KLJ’s civil transportation department. She is a Registered Engineer in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Montana.

Karls earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from North Dakota State University. She is also a member and volunteer of the community serving as volunteer with Engineers Without Borders, Introduce a Girl to Engineering, and FM Engineers.

Since 1938, KLJ has worked alongside communities of all sizes, partnering with cities, counties, developers, and more. The company plans, designs, and supports infrastructure across the country. KLJ currently has 23 office locations throughout North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Florida.