James Faulconbridge, PE

President

Already intent on engineering in his early college days, Jim credits the mentorship he received from seasoned professionals for paving his path forward. “They took the time to teach and to lead, and knew when to step back,” he elaborates. “Not only was I given the chance to design, but also to build those designs in the field. It was an invaluable experience.”

A few years into his career, Jim identified a gap in the marketplace for consulting engineers who stayed involved with clients and projects. He enjoyed being in the field, advocating for his clients — and that wasn’t the typical career progression in most firms. So he and his now-retired partner, Bill Karges, founded their own in 1996. KFI Engineers was rooted in these guiding principles, quickly growing to 100 employees in the first 10 years, and now serves clients across North America.

“Seeing our clients prosper is very satisfying,” Jim says. “It means that not only were the designs appropriate, but our clients made those ideas work. I hope to be able look back years from now and further appreciate how we were able to adapt to changing times.”

• Extensive experience in mechanical engineering, fieldwork, and project management for mission-critical systems design.
• Member of the Board of Directors of Hawkins, Inc. (NASDAQ: HWKN) since 2007.

Jim’s creativity isn’t limited to client projects. During off-hours, he can be found designing and crafting any number of things, like his desk and several conference tables at the KFI office, and the mechanical systems for his 1932 home. He has completed the restoration of a 1956 Willys pickup with diesel power, achieving the goal of 30mpg, and is currently restoring a 1933 Studebaker Rockne, subtly powering it with an electric drive. Jim enjoys time with his wife and their young son, and his British labs. He enjoys bird hunting, classical music, and is an avid tennis player and fan.

Mark Zimmerman, PE

Vice President, Industry and Infrastructure

A natural problem solver, Mark felt certain that mechanical engineering was the right career choice and was particularly interested in the thermal sciences side. His first opportunity out of school was working for a paper mill plant where he immersed himself in projects, plant engineering, and construction. He spent three years in the industrial engineering field before joining KFI, where he helped continue to build the quickly growing firm.

Mentored by Jim Faulconbridge in his early days at the firm, Mark honed his technical skills and cultivated his disciplined approach to project management. He is a skillful engineer who surrounds himself with talented people. He drives projects to completion and eliminates obstacles in the way of project success. Mark has a positive rapport with clients and contractors alike, and his field experience is readily apparent in his designs. He takes control of large, complex, schedule-driven projects and develops detailed plans for the design, construction, and startup of systems.

“My position requires a comprehensive understanding of how each variable impacts a project, from engineering and construction, to schedule and cost structure. I’m an owner-advocate. In my current leadership role, I must anticipate project needs in advance, and provide clarity and decisive action items for the project team.”

• Process piping, materials handling, and utility project experience, with extensive full-time field experience in industrial work.
• Skilled in representing owners as the prime design consultant, in addition to budgeting, scheduling, and executing pre-purchase specifications for large equipment.
• Highly experienced industrial engineer and project manager.

Mark loves to travel, hunt, and fish. He is an avid baseball fan and has attended games at 14 different baseball stadiums, with many more on his “someday soon” list. Mark enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters.

Robert Linder, PE, NEBB CP, LEED AP

Vice President, Performance Group

As the vice president of KFI Engineers’ performance group, Bob’s engineering strengths focus on system operations. He enjoys fixing and optimizing systems, and appreciates seeing solutions implemented as the result of his work. Bob continually supports our clients by identifying ways in which KFI can help improve their bottom line through optimized operations and enhanced reliability.

KFI’s performance group staff consists of professional engineers, facility managers, field technicians, and controls engineers. This experienced team loves to problem solve and willingly takes on the toughest challenges.

“I like to identify people’s strengths and give them the opportunity to utilize those strengths, taking on additional responsibility. As they grow, the overall company benefits as a result of this critical team taking ownership in the organization and the clients we serve.”

• Adjunct professor for the University of Minnesota Construction Management Program teaching CMgt 4215 — Facility Quality Assessment & Commissioning.
• Former president of NEBB, and chairman of the Building Systems Commissioning Committee.
• Hands-on technical expertise and certifications for in-depth field investigations.

When not in the office or on a job site, Bob likes to spend time with his family and friends boating on the St. Croix River. He is also an avid fan of both the Minnesota Wild and Wisconsin Badgers.

Ginger Richmond, PE

Vice President, East Region

Growing up with scientist parents who sparked her sense of curiosity from a young age, Ginger’s passion for math and science started early. She began her career in the power generation and transmission industries before moving into consulting, where she has spent the majority of her career. Ginger enjoys tackling technical challenges in the ever-changing engineering field and takes great pride in helping create safe, welcoming spaces where people can work, learn, live, and heal.

Ginger believes creative solutions come from collaboration and asking questions. When she discovered KFI’s strong leadership and positive culture, she knew it perfectly fit her aspirations and values. Ginger is excited to be part of a company that prioritizes innovative and diverse thinking and long-term client partnerships.

Outside of work, Ginger makes the most out of her free time by exploring her diverse interests, including reading, running, hiking, traveling, cooking, watching sports, and quilting.