KAI Design announced the hiring of Charles Keefer, AIA, NCARB as a Senior Project Manager at its St. Louis office. 

With more than 20 years of experience in both architecture and project management, Keefer has been exposed throughout his career to a wide range of projects, clients, environments and challenges.

In his most recent role as Director of Architecture for Fisher Arnold in Memphis, Tennessee, he managed the design team on two Shelby County elementary schools, one of which won the 2021 Memphis Business Journal’s Project of the Year. 

For over five years, Keefer had the opportunity to practice architecture in the heart of a nationally recognized section of Philadelphia working on historic restoration projects as well as extensive adaptive reuse projects focused on the community’s redevelopment. He also took on the role as the acting owner’s representative on a $35 million mixed-use development project, leading the project from its conceptual development through permitting and successful execution. The role gave Keefer the opportunity to execute a project from a developer/owner’s perspective and manage the challenges that many of his clients face with project execution.  

“Charles has quickly proven to be a wonderful addition to our KAI Architecture and Engineering practice,” said KAI Managing Partner Brad Simmons, FAIA. “He is an experienced business leader with a passion for design excellence. Charles’s past experience brings a diverse design portfolio, geographic knowledge and skilled project management. His cultural fit is outstanding and we are enthusiastic about his impact at KAI.”

Keefer has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Charleston in West Virginia and a Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Tech. He has completed the Intern Development Program and is certified with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). He is also a licensed architect in multiple states including Missouri, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and New York. 

Keefer and his wife Elizabeth have two adopted daughters, Julia and Nora. Outside of work, he enjoys woodworking, mountain biking, camping, fly fishing and traveling.