Joel’s desire to go into engineering was likely born from tinkering with electronics; building his own amps/speakers and effects pedals for his electric guitar when he was an aspiring rock star in high school. His immediate family were all practicing medicine as doctors and nurses – he became the engineering black sheep. During the decade following his graduation from the University of Cincinnati, Joel worked as an engineer for aerospace manufacturing, and electric utility companies. In 1996, he joined Fosdick & Hilmer, which was acquired by KFI in 2020. During the next 25 years at Fosdick & Hilmer, Joel developed a new controls and automation group for the firm, managed the existing central utilities group, developed business across all disciplines company-wide, and personally managed select projects/clients.
Now as KFI Engineers, Joel is optimistic the best is yet to come. “I believe KFI’s acquisition of F&H has made us stronger technically through a deeper bench of resources and the additional services we can now offer. Our collective DNA is programmed to succeed.”
Outside of work, Joel enjoys spending time with his wife Cathy and their families. He is an avid hunter and spends many evenings fishing in his backyard pond. Even though the rock star fantasy has passed, he still enjoys playing his guitars and is especially fond of his 1978 Les Paul Gold Top.
