ABOUT

The KPE team is led by multiple disciplines with diverse project experience.

Patrick Straatmann, PE

President | Senior Electrical Engineer

Mr. Straatmann has experience providing project management, electrical engineering and design services for electrical, lighting and technology systems of existing and new facilities for school, railroad, utility, industrial, and commercial customers. Projects typically include: 15kV distribution and down, 4160V and down stand-by generators, 15kV and down power factor correction, indoor and outdoor lighting systems. Mr. Straatmann is licensed to practice engineering in 12 states. 

Chad Liechti, PE

Vice President | Senior Architectural Engineer

Mr. Liechti is responsible for architectural engineering as it relates to mechanical system design. Mr. Liechti has 16 years experience designing mechanical (HVAC and Plumbing) systems with designs ranging from renovations to complete systems for new commercial buildings, industrial buildings, schools, and community centers. Mr. Liechti has designed a wide range of systems including complex energy efficient systems such as geo-exchange and variable refrigerant flow (VRF).

Employee Well-Being

We help our customers by prioritizing the health and well-being of our employees. Employees have learned to work efficiently and safely from home with the benefit of extra time with family without a commute. Knowing their families are safe gives them more capacity to focus on the customer’s needs.

Quality Solutions

KPE’s commitment to deliver cost-effective and timely solutions to customer’s challenges remains constant regardless of complications that arise. The current environment allows us to demonstrate our ability to adapt to changing conditions without sacrificing quality.

Quality Solutions

KPE’s commitment to deliver cost-effective and timely solutions to customer’s challenges remains constant regardless of complications that arise. The current environment allows us to demonstrate our ability to adapt to changing conditions without sacrificing quality.

Communication

Engineers and architects communicate between all branch offices and while working on projects across the country. We are committed to efficient communication with partners and clients. KPE customers praise our response time, which is a direct result of our communication practices.

Customer Delight

We are committed to addressing your concerns and guiding you through the process. Being committed to customer delight means listening to your needs, working within your budget, and planning your building around the changing needs of our social and economic climate.

Deliver

  • KPE’s planners and designers develop and implement specialized solutions to achieve your ideal educational environment.
  • Our high percentage of licensed design staff, 65%, ensure tasks are done right the first time.
  • KPE professionals have a wide range of experience including educational and office spaces.

Assess

  • KPE professionals help clients define priorities by accurately assessing existing facilities and listening to community and educational values.
  • We provide data and options for you to simply understand the best step forward in achieving your educational needs.
  • The same team drawing your construction documents are also involved in our Forensic Investigations, which means assessing design errors and construction defects on projects designed and constructed by other firms.
  • This gives KPE designers more insight on existing buildings and allows us to more accurately prepare for otherwise potentially costly changes.

Listen

  • We exchange ideas, share expertise and – above all – we listen. Through open, candid communication, we gain consensus and create truly successful design.
  • Having all architects and engineers under the same roof allows quick and efficient communication. This efficiency is accomplished by orderly internal design coordination meetings, frequent communication between departments, documentation of decisions, and frequent detailed reports to owners.
  • We engage our clients in a collaborative dialogue throughout the process. Successful projects begin with strong relationships.