KCI Technologies Inc., a multi-disciplined engineering firm with offices throughout the United States, has launched a strategic initiative to add marine and coastal engineering to the firm’s service offerings. Leading the development and expansion will be Regional Practice Leader Joseph R. Brenner, who will be responsible for business development, financial and operational management, and quality control.
“With more than $1 trillion of property and infrastructure located within two-to-three feet of sea level, we expect resiliency to become a major focus as sea level continues to rise,” said Chief Operations Officer Christopher J. Griffith, PE, CCM. For years, the KCI team has served the maritime and coastal markets in completing industrial, port, waterfront development, water quality, and shoreline projects. Under this new regional practice, engineers, scientists, surveyors, inspectors and divers will come together to develop innovative solutions to challenges within the marine environment.
With more than 25 years of oceanography experience, Brenner brings to the firm a wealth of knowledge in the marine industry in both the public and private sectors. He has a distinguished military background, serving in numerous roles with the United States Navy including completing a tour as first Commanding Officer of the Strike Group Oceanography Team. Over the course of his career, he has been responsible for executing climate change and arctic road maps, studying sea level rise, evaluating naval facilities resiliency, and managing budget and funding for over $300 million of global weather and ocean systems programs. Most recently, he oversaw a staff of more than 20 engineers and divers at a private marine engineering services firm.
“Joe will help us solidify our project resume, while expanding our client base in this market,” said Griffith. “His expertise, reputation and contacts position the firm to pursue marine and coastal engineering projects across the United States.”
Brenner earned his bachelor’s degree in oceanography from the U.S. Naval Academy and holds master’s degrees in meteorology and oceanography, and in national security and strategic studies from the Naval Postgraduate School and Naval War College, respectively. He is active in a number of professional associations and community organizations, including having served on the advisory council for the Military Officers Association of America; as a member of the American Meteorological Society, American Geophysical Union, and the Navy League; and as past president of the Naval Academy Primary School Board of Directors. Brenner is also currently a member of a city of Annapolis, Maryland, commission that is studying sea level rise and climate impacts on historic downtown structures. He has developed curricula and taught courses on oceanography, thermodynamics, and meteorology as a military instructor for the United States Naval Academy’s Department of Oceanography. Brenner has been recognized with numerous campaign and service awards, including the Navy Legion of Merit Medal.
KCI Technologies
With sales in excess of $225 million in 2017, KCI Technologies Inc. is ranked among the top 500 engineering firms in the country by Engineering News-Record. Roughly 1,400 employee owners support clients from more than 40 offices throughout the U.S. KCI offers environmental, transportation, telecommunications, construction, facilities and land development services to government, institutional and private-sector clients. For more information, visit www.kci.com.
