About KEM
Our Story
The story of K.E. McCartney & Associates begins not in an office or on a job site, but on the rugged terrain of Korea during the spring of 1951. When company founder Kenneth E. McCartney entered the U.S. Army during the Korean War, he had no way of knowing that the lessons he learned there—clear communication, innovative problem‑solving, and the critical importance of reliable infrastructure—would one day become the philosophical bedrock of a future engineering firm.
After completing his tour in 1953, Ken returned home with a renewed sense of purpose, earning his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Opportunity soon followed. In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal‑Aid Highway Act, launching one of the most ambitious infrastructure initiatives in American history and ushering in a new era for civil engineers.
Ken joined the firm Porter, Urquhart, McCreary & O’Brien, where he worked on a challenging 15‑mile stretch of Interstate 71 through Richland and Ashland Counties. The project was demanding—steep grades, complex terrain, and a formidable 100‑foot rock cut that stood as a literal reminder of the grit required in this profession. It was the kind of work that forged expertise and revealed character.
When construction of the interstate system neared completion, Ken continued to expand his career, joining the Mansfield firm Shaffer/Parrett. There, he met Barney Parrett, who became both a close friend and trusted colleague. Their collaboration eventually led to forming Parrett/McCartney, an early precursor to the legacy Ken would later build.
In 1968, Ken joined a group of talented engineers to create Richland Engineering Limited, where he served as a Managing Partner. A decade later, backed by 27 years of experience, deep community ties, and an unwavering commitment to quality, Ken took the leap many engineers only dream of—he founded K.E. McCartney & Associates in 1978.
From its inception, KEM was built to be different. Ken’s vision was clear: Serve communities with integrity, design with environmental responsibility, and approach every project with the same care as if it were in your own backyard.
These values guided Ken for the rest of his life and continue to define the company long after his passing on April 2, 1994. Since then, the “KEM family”—his children, dedicated staff, and now grandchildren—have carried the torch forward, always guided by the principles Ken learned in Korea and lived every day thereafter: communicate clearly, innovate boldly, and work efficiently.
Today, KEM has grown to more than 60 employees, supported by advanced technologies that would have seemed like science fiction in Ken’s early career—3D laser scanning, robotic total stations, drone imagery, and high-resolution CCTV sewer inspection systems, among others. Though the tools have evolved, the mission has not.
Ken might be astonished at the technological leap the industry has made, but he would undoubtedly be proud to see KEM at the forefront of it—still driven by the values he instilled more than half a century ago.
This is only a glimpse into a long, rich history—one shaped by dedication, innovation, community, and family. But if there’s one thing we hope you take away from our story, it’s this: Ken would expect excellence, and our clients deserve nothing less.
