Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) welcomed Keith Kesner as a Project Director, bolstering the firm’s repair and rehabilitation expertise and knowledge of concrete performance for new and existing structures. He will join SGH’s Structural Engineering division in New York City, partnering closely with professionals across the East Coast while operating out of Philadelphia, PA. Keith brings more than thirty years of industry and academic experience, specializing in evaluating and repairing concrete, masonry, and steel structures; assessing concrete material performance and deterioration through nondestructive testing and corrosion analysis; and conducting facade inspections and repairs.

“Keith is a highly accomplished technical expert with a natural ability to understand client needs and help them solve their most challenging projects,” said Nathaniel Smith, SGH Structural Engineering Division Head, New York. “His passion for solving performance problems in the field adds to his personal enthusiasm for mentoring teams of engineers and sharing his knowledge across the industry. We are thrilled to have him join our team and already see the benefits of his collaboration with our experts across the country.” 

Keith is an active leader in the engineering profession and has contributed to developing several codes and standards for existing concrete repair and new structural design. He is an American Concrete Institute (ACI) Fellow, a member of the ACI Foundation Board of Trustees, and a current or past chair for several ACI committees involving concrete repair, nondestructive testing, safety, code development, and more. He received ACI’s Henry L. Kennedy Award for outstanding technical service in 2021 and its Delmar L. Bloem Distinguished Service Award in 2020 for contributions to technical committees. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) and has published papers and given presentations extensively throughout the industry. 

“I am excited to join SGH and to contribute to the firm’s reputation as a trusted partner and advisor,” said Keith. “I look forward to taking on challenging projects with such an accomplished multidisciplinary team and hope to continue finding new solutions and approaches to meet the needs of new and existing structures.” 

Keith holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in civil and environmental engineering from Cornell University, where he also taught and oversaw courses in civil engineering and structural design. He also holds a B.S.E. in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Connecticut. Most recently, Keith served as a Senior Project Manager with CVM Professional in Pennsylvania, leading major structural repair and rehabilitation projects for the firm.