Needham DBS is a Consulting Structural Engineering using Steel, Concrete, Masonry and Wood. Projects range in size from heavy structures to small scope specialty design. These projects include institutional, manufacturing and retail projects with conventional framed buildings, pre-engineered metal buildings and tilt-up concrete design. Needham DBS offers services beyond engineering. In-house steel and concrete detailing services, as well as procurement of steel products, vertically integrates Needham DBS to provide packages that reduce risk and deliver value to our clients. Karen began her career in the Pre-Engineered Metal Building Industry before entering the consulting engineering world. The knowledge gained using PEMB steel products, conventional steel products as well as a variety of cladding systems including tilt-up, offers a unique ability to marry products for efficient building systems. Karen has worked on several award winning projects listed below. She has designed and detailed Tilt Up for Retail Shopping Centers, Theatres, Call Centers, Office Buildings, Warehouses, as well as wainscot panels for Aircraft Hangars.Ms. Hand has stepped up as a leader in the engineering community as a Charter Member of the Structural Engineers Association of Kansas & Missouri, serving as Member Services Chair in 2001-03, Secretary of the Kansas City Chapter in 2003-05, President of the Kansas City Chapter in 2005-06, and Bi-State Board of Directors in 2007-09.Karen works with the Tilt Up Concrete Association and is certified to present the AIA seminar, The Architecture of Tilt Up. Karen is a voting member of the ACI 551 Committee and is serving on the TCA Board of Directors. Karen has also presented seminars for K-State, ACI, SEAKM and the Johnson County Contractors Licensing Board.Project Examples:Project Dylan - Tulsa OKOlathe West High School - Olathe KSGreat Plain Ventures - Wichita KSGloucester Premium OutletsHouston Premium OutletsZona Rosa, Building C, Blackford Building, Kansas City MOWarren Theatre - Moore, OklahomaViracon Southwest Facility - George UtahHickam AFB C-130 Hangar and Maintenance Shops, HonoluluT-Mobile Call Centers - Multiple SitesSpecialties: Innovative concrete tilt up panel design with an understanding of construction methods as a result of hands on experience and close relationships with clients. Karen has a creative approach to structural design, is solutions oriented and is not constrained to a "box".