QK

Christine Chavez, a dedicated planner at QK, exemplifies the company’s core value of "Growth" through her remarkable professional development and personal achievement journey. Since joining QK, Christine has seamlessly transitioned from a specialized background in transportation to the multifaceted realm of municipal and policy planning, leveraging her previous experience to enhance our Valley’s planning efforts and fueling her enthusiasm for creating impactful community solutions. Reflecting on her growth, Christine shares, “Working at QK has been an incredible learning experience. My background in transportation has given me a unique perspective, and applying that expertise to municipal planning has broadened my knowledge and deepened my passion for improving our Valley and quality of life.” Looking ahead, Christine envisions a future where she continues to evolve within QK, aspiring to become a shareholder someday. Her goals include enhancing customer relations with both existing and new clients and playing an integral role in QK’s ongoing growth and development. Her commitment to these aspirations highlights the essence of “The QK Difference” — a culture that fosters both personal and professional advancement. One of Christine’s proudest accomplishments at QK has been achieving a healthier work-life balance. The supportive environment and mentorship from colleagues like Steve Brandt, Chris Mynk, and Jaymie Brauer have been instrumental in her growth. Christine’s efforts in developing parks master plans stand as a testament to her contributions and the collaborative spirit that defines QK. Christine values the diverse opportunities that QK provides and the expertise of her colleagues. “Every day at QK is a new adventure,” she notes. “The diverse range of disciplines here not only enriches my experience but also allows me to contribute meaningfully to various aspects of our communities.” Christine takes great pride in her role in shaping plans and projects that compete for grant funding and implementation. She finds it rewarding to contribute to the development of initiatives that were once just ideas that are now moving toward realization. Her ability to assist colleagues and municipal clients in navigating the complexities of grant opportunities and funding processes exemplifies her commitment to turning visionary projects into concrete successes. In sum, Christine Chavez embodies the spirit of growth that QK champions, demonstrating how professional development, a supportive work environment, and a commitment to community improvement converge to make a significant impact. #theQKdifference #ValuesInAction #Growth #EmpowerPotential

We're thrilled to share our major project that will reshape Hanford's east side, bringing new opportunities and growth to the community. Check out the full story in the Hanford Sentinel. Director of Municipal Services John Doyel, PE,PLS,QSD says, "This transformational project in the City of Hanford has been in the works for a number of years. The proposed project will widen Lacey Boulevard from 10th Avenue to Sierra Drive, including a new traffic signal at 9th Avenue and Lacey Boulevard and a new crossing with the San Joaquin Valley Railroad. QK is the lead consultant in designing the multimodal project to increase pedestrian and bicycle safety and provide needed infrastructure expansion in the area. QK’s team is currently evaluating a road diet for Lacey Boulevard, which, if successful, would allow for a complete streets concept as an entryway into the east side retail area and the proposed High-Speed Rail station.   QK, with its teaming partners, JLB Traffic Engineering, Badger Daylighting, and Rise Utility, are focused on completing complex project for the City of Hanford." https://lnkd.in/gCczCjH9

At QK, our core values drive us, and dependability is essential in everything we do. Today, we’re excited to highlight Courtney Lee, a true embodiment of this core value. Courtney’s dedication is nothing short of extraordinary, as CFO Amber Aguayo puts it, “Courtney 'Dependable' Lee. Her word is gold, and it is no wonder the word fits within her name so seamlessly. Getting it right while focusing on accomplishing the task is in her DNA. Her unwavering commitment to deliver is why she is such a magnetic force for dependability at QK. Everyone, I mean EVERYONE, gravitates to Courtney because she encompasses integrity, consistency, and a genuine drive to follow through on QK's obligations. It is so enjoyable to work alongside Courtney, and I and many others genuinely appreciate her.” Courtney finds joy in the diverse challenges of her role and the limitless opportunities for growth at QK. Her passion for progress and efficiency drives her to constantly seek ways to improve processes and collaborate effectively with her team. From late-night document formatting to delivering materials in a U-Haul to a client to weekend proposal work, Courtney’s readiness to jump in wherever needed exemplifies her steadfast dependability. In a busy environment, Courtney’s strategic time management shines. She diligently reviews and reprioritizes tasks, categorizes requests, and maintains an organized to-do list, ensuring she meets every commitment with precision. Her ability to adapt to change, take on new roles, and uphold her strong work ethic showcases her resilience and unwavering support for her team. Outside of work, Courtney enjoys family time, movies, organizing her space, and doing various types of puzzles. These activities reflect her passion for problem-solving and meticulous organization in her personal and professional life. Courtney, thank you for being such a magnetic force of dependability at QK. Your commitment and integrity make a difference every day, and we’re grateful to have you on our team! #WeAreQK #TheQKDifference #CoreValues #Dependability

We’re thrilled to announce that our second annual backpack drive has been an overwhelming success! 🎒✨ Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, we distributed 90 more backpacks than we did last year! Every child deserves the tools and support to start their school year with confidence and enthusiasm. Seeing the joy and excitement on their faces reaffirms our commitment to making a tangible difference in our community. Thank you to everyone who contributed to and supported this effort—a special shout-out to Andrea Pedraza for starting this tradition last year. We admire your passion and commitment to the community and can't wait to see how you grow this annual event! Here’s to achieving an even greater impact together! 💪❤️ #WeAreQK #TheQKDifference #BackpackDrive #CommunityImpact #QKCoreValues

Happy Professional Engineers Day! Today, we celebrate the brilliant minds who bring ideas to life and shape our world. From designing sustainable cities to developing cutting-edge technologies, engineers play a pivotal role in solving ’today's challenges and creating tomorrow’s innovations. To all the engineers out there, thank you for your dedication, creativity, and hard work. Your contributions drive progress and improve the quality of life for people around the globe. Let’s take a moment to recognize and appreciate the impact of engineering on our everyday lives. Engineers make it all possible, whether it's the smartphone in your hand, the bridges you cross, or the energy powering your home. 🔧👷♂️👷♀️ #ProfessionalEngineersDay #EngineeringExcellence #Innovation #STEM #EngineeringLife

Celebrating Gay Hooper: A Pillar of Community Spirit For 15 years, Gay Hooper has been a dedicated member of the Lakeside Union Elementary School Board, but her contributions extend far beyond her official role. Lakeside Union Elementary serves a community where the need for continuous support is great. Unlike many other students who enjoy summer vacations or winter getaways, children at Lakeside often remain engaged in school activities throughout the year. This unique environment reflects the community’s commitment to education, and Gay is at the heart of this effort. Gay's involvement is a testament to her unwavering commitment. Every Saturday, she volunteers her time to teach cooking and essential life skills, helping to equip students with valuable knowledge that goes beyond the classroom. Her dedication ensures that these children, who often attend school during breaks, receive continued support and learning opportunities. In addition to her work with Lakeside, Gay plays an active role in the Kings County School Board Association (KCSBA). Here, she advocates for Lakeside and other schools in need across the area. The KCSBA’s collaborative efforts include organizing various events to support local schools, with the proceeds benefiting all high schools in Kings County. Last year, thanks to these efforts, KCSBA was able to award 14 scholarships to every high school in the region, underscoring their commitment to educational advancement. During the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gay’s compassion shone brightly. When schools were shut down, she used her lunch breaks to distribute meals to the community, ensuring that students continued to receive nourishment. Gay went above and beyond by cooking large quantities of food and personally delivering hot meals to families in need, embodying the spirit of community care. When asked about her motivation, Gay shares that her deep love for children drives her efforts. She is passionate about providing the next generation with the tools they need to succeed and ensuring they have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the world. Gay Hooper is a true embodiment of community spirit and service, and her tireless work makes a profound difference in the lives of many. Thank you, Gay, for your incredible dedication and for being a shining example of what it means to give back to your community. Your efforts are deeply appreciated and truly transformative. We are proud to have you and others like you bring our core values to life every day in amazing ways. #Community #TheQKDifference #LivingOurValues #CoreValuesInAction #QKCoreValues

We’re thrilled to recognize Ashley Polito for her exceptional creativity and innovation in creating graphics that beautifully represent our core values. Your artistic talent and dedication have brought our values of Dependability, Innovation, Growth, Community, Quality, and Passion to life, helping to inspire and align our team and resonate with clients. Thank you for your outstanding contributions and for making our mission visually impactful. Your contributions are invaluable! As we introduce our Core Values, we will highlight the employees, projects, clients, and communities that embody each one. We start by recognizing you, Ashley Polito, for your innovative spirit and pioneering contributions at QK. You have a remarkable ability to transform a hand sketch and a brief explanation of a concept into something eye-catching, comprehensive, and on-brand. That takes talent and true INNOVATION. We are grateful that you naturally harness the power of inclusion in your creative process. Like you, we understand that is where the magic happens at QK. Cheers to you, Ashley, for representing our Core Values in all you do!

At QK, we believe in living our values every day. Through an inclusive process, we’ve identified the core values that fundamentally define who we are. These values weren’t just selected by management or marketing—they were thoughtfully defined through a collaborative process that engaged our entire team. By working together, we ensured that each value truly reflects our collective commitment and vision. Our core values drive us to deliver exceptional results, support each other, our clients, and our communities, and continuously strive for excellence. Join us in celebrating the principles that make QK unique and strong. We are proud to share them with you today: 🔥 Passion – The spark that ignites We bring enthusiasm and energy to our work, fueling our drive to make a difference. 🤝 Dependability – Constant in commitment, consistent in quality Our clients and colleagues can always count on us for reliable, top-quality results. 🏡 Community – Our craft, our community We are dedicated to our crafts and committed to contributing positively to our communities. 🌟 Quality – Design excellence, raising the standard We strive for excellence in every design and pioneering solution, continuously elevating the bar. 🚀 Growth – Empower potential We empower our team members to reach their full potential, fostering personal and professional growth. 💡 Innovation – Pushing boundaries, pursuing progress We embrace creativity and innovation, harnessing the power of inclusion and diverse perspectives to seek new ways to advance our industries and communities constantly. These values are not just words, but the principles we live by daily. These values guide us in everything we do, from our projects to our interactions with clients and each other. These values are the foundation of our success and the heart of our mission. Join us on our journey as we continue to embody these values and make a lasting impact together.

A big shout out to our incredible team members celebrating workiversaries this month! Your dedication, talents, and skills have been instrumental in driving QK’s success and positively impacting our clients and communities. We deeply appreciate the hard work and passion you bring to your roles daily! Thank you for choosing to build your careers here at QK. Your continued commitment is truly valued and inspires us all. Here’s to many more years of collaboration, growth, and success together! #WeAreQK #TheQKDifference #HappyWorkiversary Pictured: Janel Freeman, Dave Dayton, Ethan Davis, Joel Thompson, Jennifer Minear, Ron Roselius, Christopher Mynk, AICP, Hunter Kimmel, E.I.T., Sean Pinkston, Myrna Hurtado, Amber Aguayo, John Doyel, PE,PLS,QSD Not Pictured: Joshua Hult

QK is committed to nurturing the growth of future AEC professionals through scholarships, school outreach and partnership, and internships. Today, we celebrate our 2024 QK interns, recognizing their hard work, dedication, and significant impact on our QK team. Internships play a crucial role in shaping careers, providing invaluable learning experiences, and bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical skills. Offering students and recent graduates opportunities to gain hands-on experience in the professional world, explore career paths, and build professional networks. QK currently has five amazing interns throughout our Central Valley offices: Alex Mello, Assistant Construction Intern; Cristina Dillsaver, Assistant Engineer Intern; Tera Wathen, Assistant Engineer Intern; Brooke Whittington, Assistant Engineer Intern; and Sally Baek, Assistant Engineer Intern. From tackling challenging projects to bringing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, each of you has consistently exceeded our expectations. Your dedication, hard work, and enthusiasm have not gone unnoticed. We truly appreciate the energy and effort you invest in every task and challenge. We are proud to call you QKers and hope that your internships with us pave the way for successful careers in your chosen fields.