KCI celebrates 56-Year Employee’s Contributions, Retirement

September 01, 2011

Sparks, MD

KCI Technologies Inc., a multi-disciplined engineering firm with offices throughout the eastern U.S., is celebrating the contributions of its most tenured employee, Richard L. Smith, as he retires exactly 56 years to the day after his first day on the job. Hired as a drafter/designer, Smith was only the second employee of the firm, known then as Engineering Associates and later as Matz Childs and Associates, working in the basement of founder John Childs’ home on Gittings Avenue in Baltimore. He was hired to assist with residential development projects that were still booming in the post-World War II era. Among his first projects was Liberty Gardens Park, a single-family development in Randallstown.

Since then, Smith has worked on numerous noteworthy and award-winning developments and facilities throughout the region as a designer and later a project manager. These projects include the University of Maryland Health Sciences Library in Baltimore, the Harford County Higher Education and Technology Center, the initial phase of Greenspring Station and Timonium Crossing in Baltimore County, and Bell Lincoln Multi-Cultural Middle and High School in Washington, D.C. He was the civil project manager for the new Baltimore SEED School, which was honored by the U.S. Green Building Council with Special Recognition Award in new construction of schools and universities.

“Dick has been a pillar in our land development practice since way before I joined the firm in 1977,” said CEO and Chairman Terry F. Neimeyer, PE, BCEE, FACEC. “His dedication, loyalty and longevity with the firm are so rare in today’s society. We’re grateful to have had his expertise and leadership over the years and only wish him the best of luck in retirement.”

Smith is a retired colonel in the National Guard and last year was recognized with a brevet promotion to brigadier general for his 34 years of service to the state of Maryland. He is the former national commander of the 29th Division Association and currently serves as at-large vice president for the veterans’ organization. Over his decades of experience, Smith also served as chairman of the Baltimore County Home Builders Association planning committee and volunteered with Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, helping servicemen and women in regaining their jobs after deployment.

Tied to KCI by more than his lengthy employment, Smith and his wife, Mary, met at the firm while she was employed as a secretary and married in 1977. Currently, Smith’s stepson and daughter-in-law, Michael and Amy Lambert, both work at the firm. Michael is a vice president and practice leader for land development in Maryland; Amy is director of corporate communications.

KCI is an engineering, consulting and construction firm serving clients throughout the U.S. and beyond. With revenues of approximately $146 million in 2012, KCI is ranked 81 on the Engineering News-Record's list of the top 500 engineering firms in the country. Roughly 1,000 KCI employee owners provide environmental, transportation, telecommunications, construction, facilities, and land development services from more than 20 locations. For more information, visit www.kci.com.

For more information please contact:
George G. Perdikakis, Sr.
georgep@kci.com
410.316.7951