Meet Our Team
Founded in 2008, Garza Karhoff Engineering, LLC (GKE) is a Hispanic woman owned business providing structural and civil engineering consulting services as well as construction management and project management services in the aviation, building, rail, and transportation sectors.​ We are committed to client satisfaction and dedicated to working with clients using our practical experience to provide the highest quality professional services on schedule and within budget. Our mission is to establish lasting relationships with our clients by exceeding their expectations and gaining their trust through exceptional performance. We strive to ensure the growth and longevity of our company through repeat and referral business achieved by client satisfaction. From modest beginnings and a three-woman team, GKE has grown to a staff of nearly 20 employees, more than two-thirds of whom are engineers. GKE’s growth is attributed to exceptional performance, through which GKE has increased capacity, expanded services, and gained the experience needed to lead complex projects. Our staff of dedicated structural engineers, civil engineers, project managers, and construction inspectors work on public infrastructure projects that are significant to the economy, safety and landscape of the Chicagoland area. Our clients include Illinois Department of Transportation, Metra, Chicago Department of Aviation, Chicago Department of Transportation, Chicago Transit Authority, the Illinois Tollway, and various building/facility owners. GKE is a member of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois (ACEC-IL), Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA) and Structural Engineers Association of Illinois (SEAOI).
PRESIDENT
Brenda Garza Karhoff, SE, PE
President and founding principal of GKE, Brenda Garza Karhoff, SE, PE, has nearly 30 years of experience. Ms. Karhoff is a BSCE and MSCE graduate of the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. She is a licensed Structural Engineer in the state of Illinois and a licensed Professional Engineer in the states of Illinois and Wisconsin. Ms. Karhoff founded GKE in 2008 after spending many years working as a Structural Engineer for a variety of infrastructure and building projects and serving as Vice President of a Chicago-based engineering firm.
DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS
Jason Loo, SE, PE
Jason Loo, SE, PE, has over 27 years of experience in structural design of healthcare, hospitality, residential, commercial and educational facilities. Jason is a BSCE and an MSCE graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and is licensed in Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Texas, and Wisconsin. As Director of Buildings, Jason manages GKE's vertical team projects and efforts. Jason specializes in the structural management and design of residential, industrial, commercial, and healthcare buildings.
TRANSPORTATION GROUP MANAGER
Luke Martin, SE, PE
Luke Martin, SE, PE, has more than 18 years of experience with a variety of transportation project types and delivery methods including design-build. Luke is a BSCE graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is licensed in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Florida, Georgia, Texas and Michigan. As Transportation Group Manager, he is responsible for the project management of bridge projects, preparation of bridge design calculations, bridge inspection, bridge load ratings, bridge contract plans, technical specifications, and construction cost estimates. Luke is experienced working with the IDOT, the Illinois Tollway, Metra, and FDOT.
PROJECT MANAGER/CIVIL ENGINEER
Amalia M. Baymundo
Amalia Baymundo has more than 20 years of experience with a variety of transportation projects. Amalia is a BSCE graduate from Marquette University. As a Roadway Engineer, her experience derives from design, contract plans preparation, special provisions, quantities, cost estimates, and construction phase tasks. She has led a team of engineers in a multi-discipline setting. Amalia has extensive experience with IDOT and Illinois Tollway projects.
CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGER
Mohammed Faheem Ahmed, PMP, CAPM
Faheem Ahmed has over 25 years of experience in the construction managements field. Faheem is a dedicated engineer professional skilled in all phases of engineering operations for commercial planning projects. Adept in leading high functioning teams to complete quality developments within budget, timelines, and scope. Proactive in solving complex problems to effectively manage and progress projects.