We’re proud to celebrate Karen Stearns, PE, as our New Mexico offices Branch Manager for our New Mexico offices in Raton and Albuquerque.
With more than 30 years of experience in water resources and civil engineering, Karen brings extensive expertise in infrastructure planning, design, and construction support. She is passionate about developing practical solutions that strengthen the communities her projects serve.
In addition to her technical leadership, Karen is committed to mentoring future engineers through New Mexico State University and has been actively involved in the AEC industry, including serving as Chair of the New Mexico Watershed and Dam Owners Coalition.
We asked Vice President of the Southwest Region, Dan Overton, PE, PEng, BC.GE. to weigh in on his thoughts about Karen and the New Mexico offices, here is what he had to say:
How has her leadership contributed to the success of the New Mexico office?
“Karen Stearns started up MacKay’s Raton, New Mexico office in 2014. Karen developed and maintained long-term relationships with The City of Raton, The Town of Springer, Colfax County and others. Karen is known for her reliability, assisting with grant applications, and producing high-quality work on time and within budget. Under Karen’s leadership the Raton office has maintained a steady workload serving the Power & Energy, Transport, Municipal, Land Development, and Water market sectors. Karen transferred and started the Albuquerque office in January of 2026, and we look forward to helping Karen grow this office.“
Where do you see the greatest opportunities for growth and success in New Mexico over the next several years?
“I am excited about the growth opportunities in the New Mexico offices over the next few years. Karen Stearns, PE is the New Mexico Manager and has relocated to Albuquerque to start up and grow the new Albuquerque office. Tyler Davis, PE, has been in the Raton office for ten years, and will stay in Raton transitioning to the Branch Manager. The goal is to grow the Albuquerque and Raton Branches into each of MacKay’s seven market sectors. We will focus on leveraging Karen Stearns’ contacts in the Transport, Power & Energy, and Municipal Market Sectors, Jason Andrews’ contacts in the Mining Market Sector, Clint Brown’s contacts in the Water Market Sector, and Denise Garcia’s Geohazards contacts to gain additional contract work. We will look to grow our staff through hires in the larger Albuquerque market, internal MacKay transfers, opportunistic teaming, and acquisitions. We will also continue to pursue Land Development, Transport, Industrial and Power & Energy opportunities with the MacKay market sector leads.”
We’re grateful for Karen’s leadership, experience, and dedication to our team and industry.
