New Officers for 2020-2021

On October 20, 2020 the ASCE Knoxville Branch installed new officers for 2020-2021. Helen Hennon (Treasurer),  Cory Newman (Secretary) Melissa McKenzie (Vice President), Dr. Jennifer Retherford (President), and Karen McKeehan (Past- President).

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Dr. Jennifer Retherford, P.E., joined the University of Tennessee faculty in 2012 and has served as a teaching faculty, supporting structural engineering courses as well as the Senior Design Project course. Jenny's role as the senior design professor at UT allows a unique opportunity to interact with all undergraduate students and the surrounding professional community, a privilege that makes the course a practical experience for soon-to-be graduates. She serves as a Mentor for the ASCE ExCEEd Teaching Workshop and contributes to research related to engineering education specifically focused on project-based learning and pedagogy for new professors.

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Helen S. Hennon, P.E., has worked for the University of Tennessee as a design engineer since October 2016, and was promoted to be the Team Leader for Capital Projects in April 2019. Prior to that, she spent 23 years growing from an Engineering Intern to a Senior Engineer, Vice President, and Principal of Quantum Engineering and Environmental Services, LLC and its predecessor companies.  She has served ASCE in a major role for many years at the student chapter of Tennessee Tech, in the Knoxville Branch, and the Tennessee Section.  Highlights include that she is a two time Past Branch President, was a Tennessee Section officer rolling from Vice President in 2016 to President Elect, President, and Past President in 2019. Helen is a great advocate for the Knoxville Branch, and worked hard to help found the Knoxville Younger Members group.

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Melissa McKenzie, P.E., has worked for Jacobs Engineering since January 2009 and received her B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Tennessee in 2011. She has experience in the design of water distribution and waste water collection systems, sanitary sewer rehabilitation, asset management, and environmental permitting. She is TN EPSC Level II certified and earned a Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Tennessee in 2017

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Cory Newman, E.I., joined LDA Engineering in 2018 after graduating from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s in civil engineering with honors. Cory has also worked at a local utility company at a water treatment facility while attending high school and college. During his time with the utility company he was able to become a licensed water treatment plant operator holding a Grade III license. While with the utility company he learned the business aspect of local utility systems along with the daily operations of both water and wastewater treatment facilities. During Cory’s time with LDA Engineering he has learned the business side of the engineering consulting business. He has also learned engineering steps, that being surveying, evaluation, design, permitting, and specification writing. Cory seeks to be the Secretary of the Knoxville Branch of ASCE.

Thank you for your consideration,

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Karen J. McKeehan, P.E., has worked for the City of Knoxville engineering department since June 2006. She is currently a civil engineer manager, responsible for the design of numerous municipal construction and maintenance projects.

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