Karen Tenfelde, CPSM
Since 2020
Active
SMPS Kentucky member
AEC marketing professional
Karen leads comprehensive business development strategy for Athena Engineering and Environmental, a certified woman-owned small business specializing in geotechnical engineering, value engineering, surveying, and environmental services. As Director of Business Development, she drives strategic initiatives across federal, state, and local government markets, along with energy and industrial sectors, positioning Athena’s specialized capabilities in complex infrastructure and environmental projects.
Her expertise spans geotechnical engineering, environmental and hazardous materials services, dam and levee safety, and value engineering serving government agencies including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, NASA, and Natural Resources Conservation Service. Karen brings specialized knowledge in qualifications-based proposal development, strategic business planning, and client relationship management across transportation, infrastructure, and environmental markets.
With over 25 years of AEC industry experience combining technical engineering background and marketing leadership, she has contributed to business development excellence at prominent firms including American Engineers, Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon, and Stantec. Her mechanical engineering degree from the University of Kentucky provides distinctive technical insight that enhances marketing effectiveness for complex engineering services.
Karen demonstrates exceptional professional leadership through her CPSM certification achievement and active membership in SMPS Kentucky, contributing to professional development and networking opportunities for AEC marketing professionals throughout the Commonwealth. Her certification reflects mastery of the six domains of practice essential to professional services marketing excellence.
As a Director of Business Development with woman-owned small business experience, Karen brings valuable perspective on strategic positioning, government contracting, and relationship development in federal, state, and local markets. Her leadership approach combines technical engineering knowledge with marketing sophistication—a distinctive combination that enables effective communication with both technical teams and client decision-makers.
Karen’s unique background as a mechanical engineer who transitioned into marketing leadership provides exceptional value in translating complex engineering capabilities into compelling business development strategies. Her 25+ years spanning manufacturing, customer service, and AEC marketing leadership demonstrates sustained commitment to professional growth and industry contribution. This engineering foundation enables her to bridge technical excellence and marketing strategy effectively, particularly valuable in geotechnical and environmental service markets.
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