Karen A. Friese, PE
Founder + President
Karen has a long-standing reputation for her drive, unmatched customer service, and proven results. She is a confident leader who is personally invested in each client’s success. As a trusted advisor, she approaches her clients’ unique challenges as if they were her own.
After 20 years of designing and managing a wide range of municipal infrastructure and large, regional water and wastewater projects, Karen left a national engineering firm to establish K Friese + Associates, Inc. (KFA). Her vision was to build a civil engineering consulting and design firm devoted to professional, highly skilled consulting, and responsive service. KFA quickly grew from a home-based business to a firm now employing more than 75 people across multiple offices and serving more than 50 public sector clients. She remains President and CEO.
Karen is an active member of the community, participating in professional, civic, and non-profit organizations. She was Chair of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Texas, Chair of the ACEC National Small Firms Council, and a founding member of the ACEC Women in Leadership Group. Locally, Karen served as Chair of the Austin Area Research Organization (AARO) and a member of the Boards of the Austin Chamber and I Live Here I Give Here. She is also a member of the Junior League of Austin and a graduate of Leadership Austin. She has served the City of Austin through several commission appointments including the Austin Water and Wastewater Commission and an Austin Bond Oversight Committee. More recently, she was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to serve on the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.
Karen received her bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois.
