QK

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.

Happy National Parks and Recreation Month! This month, QK is excited to highlight two important projects that aim to transform and enhance our communities. Both initiatives focus on creating vibrant, accessible parks and recreational spaces that meet the diverse needs of our residents today and into the future. Selma Parks Master Plan Project The City of Selma is committed to developing a Parks Master Plan that reflects the community's current and future needs. This Plan will assess demographics, facility conditions, and priorities while aligning with the Selma General Plan. Porterville Parks Master Plan Similarly, the City of Porterville aims to create a robust Parks Master Plan that addresses community needs and complies with the Porterville General Plan. With workshops for all generations to contribute, QK and the City are seeking to develop an inclusive Plan that reflects the diverse needs of the residents. Community input is essential to our success! QK is committed to gathering feedback through a variety of engaging methods. Participants utilized QR codes to access surveys directly from their phones. Younger attendees used fun voting dots to share their preferences, making the process interactive and enjoyable. We host public meetings, online surveys, and hands-on activities where everyone can contribute their thoughts on improving our parks. By prioritizing needs based on community input, we’re creating Parks Master Plans that serve everyone across all cultural groups and abilities. Community feedback guides us in shaping our parks for years to come! 🤝 Get Involved! Both projects emphasize the importance of community engagement. Together, we can make great parks and recreation facilities possible. Stay tuned for more updates, like the new pickleball courts QK is designing in Fresno! Thank you for being an integral part of our vibrant community! 🌍💚 #theQKDifference #NationalParksAndRecreationMonth #CommunityEngagement #ParksMasterPlan #WeAreQK

Meet Vanessa Williams and Cambria Bolding – a testament to family, dedication, and the enduring spirit of "The QK Difference." Vanessa, a pillar of our team for the past 25 years, recalls fondly the times when Cambria, her niece, would occasionally visit the office. Little did they know then that their paths would intertwine at QK. For Vanessa, having Cambria join QK feels both surreal and heartwarming. It's a reminder of the passage of time and brings her joy in seeing her family grow within the same professional environment that shaped her career. Vanessa started at QK around the same age Cambria is now, creating a unique bond grounded in shared experiences and values. Cambria describes her journey to QK as inspiring and exciting, finding comfort in seeing how Vanessa has established herself within QK. She acknowledges the fascinating generational differences, particularly in how technology has transformed the pace of work. On the other hand, Vanessa appreciates how the younger generation quickly adapts to new technologies, enriching the team's capabilities. Working alongside family has deeply influenced QK's culture for both Vanessa and Cambria. Cambria finds it creates a pleasant environment and looks forward to shaping the future with her aunt. Their relationship at QK isn't just about family ties but mutual respect and admiration. Having gained insights into Vanessa’s role at QK, Cambria now understands and appreciates Vanessa's expertise. Vanessa, in turn, cherishes the positive feedback from colleagues about Cambria's impact. Neither has reservations about working together; instead, they find comfort in knowing family is nearby while maintaining their own professional spaces. This balance enhances their teamwork and supports QK's culture of collaboration and growth. Join us in celebrating Vanessa and Cambria, embodying the essence of generational excellence at QK. Together, they exemplify "The QK Difference" – a legacy of dedication, innovation, and family values that define our thriving community. #TheQKDifference #GenerationalExcellence #FamilyAtQK #TeamLegacy

Our vision is to be the trusted partner that clients can always rely on, delivering top-tier solutions through a team united in purpose and commitment. We prioritize excellence in every project across our multidisciplinary services, striving for impactful results that benefit our clients and their communities.   With integrity and dedication, we believe we can achieve extraordinary outcomes. Our passionate team is committed to providing the expertise and reliability our clients deserve. Join us in shaping a better future, one project at a time. #theQKdifference #WeAreQK

QK boasts a unique team with a multi-generational family legacy that exemplifies “The QK Difference.” Monique Mello, PE, Branch Manager and Senior Engineer, has been with QK for over 20 years. Her passion for engineering was sparked by her father, Mike Rodriguez, who worked as a Public Works Inspector for the City of Tulare for over 30 years. This early exposure left a lasting impression, leading Monique to pursue a career in civil engineering. Eventually, Mike joined QK as a construction observer, where he had the opportunity to work alongside Monique for a period before his passing. The family tradition extends as Monique's daughter, Alexandria Mello, joins the team, further illustrating QK's collaborative and generational ethos. Alexandria always knew she wanted to follow in her mother's footsteps. However, her interest has shifted from engineering to construction management, mirroring the path of her dad, Joe Mello, who is also a QK employee. Having a family member join the team is a source of immense pride for Joe and Monique. Witnessing their daughter's enthusiasm is a truly special experience. The advantages of working with family are undeniable. Alexandria has the invaluable opportunity to learn from her mother firsthand, gaining insights into the day-to-day workings of civil engineering. The generational shift brings with it a unique dynamic. Monique highlights the evolution of technology in the workplace. When she began, everything was handwritten and functioned at a much slower pace. Today, digital tools have transformed workflows and communication styles. Younger generations, like Alexandria, are adept at navigating this digital landscape, bringing a fresh perspective and skillset to the team. Working together has fostered a deeper understanding within the family. Monique is impressed by Alexandria's work ethic and professionalism. Alexandria, in turn, has gained valuable exposure to the industry thanks to her parents' encouragement and guidance. She's learned about CADD software, visited job sites, and gained a broader understanding of the diverse projects undertaken by QK. The story of Mike, Monique, Joe, and Alex is a testament to the enduring power of passion and family ties. As Alexandria embarks on her career journey, one thing is certain: the legacy of dedication and excellence continues to thrive within the company walls. That is, “The QK Difference.” #TheQKDifference #GenerationalExcellence #FamilyAtQK #TeamLegacy

Collaborative Excellence in Infrastructure Development: TBEC - Terry Bradley Education Center At QK, we are proud to lead the development of the Terry Bradley Education Center (TBEC), where engineering and land surveying expertise converge to shape a visionary educational infrastructure. QK collaborates closely with esteemed partners, including PBK Architects, Clovis Unified School District, Harris Construction, the City of Fresno, Fresno County, Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District (FMFCD), and Fresno Irrigation District (FID). These partnerships combine diverse expertise and resources to ensure TBEC sets a new standard for educational facilities in Fresno County. Under the leadership of Project Manager Ernie Escobedo, TBEC spans 160 acres and encompasses both on-site and off-site developments. On-site, our team, including Scott Zaayer, Diane Manibo, and Alexandra Aguilar, diligently constructs essential infrastructure, such as the lift station utility yard area, overseen by Brian Partridge in collaboration with Rebekah Godett and Danielle Fowler. Off-site developments, managed by Joel Thompson, Kristofer King, and Alexandra Aguilar, are scheduled to commence construction by the end of June. This phase seamlessly integrates with Clovis Unified's educational mission, demonstrating QK’s commitment to delivering projects that enhance community and educational environments. Our collaboration with FMFCD and FID ensures sustainable water management and flood prevention strategies, reflecting QK’s holistic approach to community welfare. FMFCD’s oversight of storm drain systems and rainwater capture complements FID’s essential role in water distribution, illustrating "The QK Difference" in action. Scheduled to open in August 2025, TBEC will serve middle school and ninth-grade students, marking a significant milestone in educational infrastructure development. This achievement underscores QK’s belief that collaboration fuels innovation and lasting positive change, laying the foundation for a brighter future. "The QK Difference" defines our approach to every project, including TBEC. It ensures that we meet and exceed expectations, leaving a lasting legacy of quality and community impact. Together with our partners and stakeholders, we are proud to create infrastructures like TBEC that empower communities and inspire progress, setting new standards in educational excellence. #theQKdifference #WeAreQK #ClovisUnified #ShapingTheFutureTogether #AEC