Accomplished transportation leader brings three decades of expertise advancing Southern California mobility
SANTA ANA, Calif. (Oct. 15, 2025) – HNTB Corporation welcomes Karen Chapman, PE, as senior group director and vice president, further strengthening the firm’s ability to deliver innovative infrastructure solutions across Southern California. Based in HNTB’s Santa Ana office, Chapman leads multidisciplinary teams on major highway, bridge, and transit projects, with a focus on collaboration, quality and client service across projects in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Chapman brings more than 30 years of experience delivering transformative infrastructure improvements, including leadership roles on the State Route 91 Improvements from Acacia Street to La Palma for Orange County Transportation Authority; the Cajalco Road Widening in Riverside County; and the I-15/SR-91 Express Lanes Connector for Riverside County Transportation Commission. Collectively, these projects represent billions of dollars in investment and have advanced safer, more efficient travel for Southern California residents, commuters and goods movement.
“Karen’s expertise in leading multidisciplinary teams on complex projects will provide tremendous value to our staff and our clients,” said Dave Warner, PE, HNTB office leader for Orange County and the Inland Empire. “Her ability to direct every stage of project development while fostering collaboration and managing risk ensures solutions that are innovative, efficient and impactful for the communities we serve.”
Active professionally, Chapman serves as president of the WTS Orange County Chapter, where she champions the advancement of women in transportation and builds industry partnerships that strengthen the profession. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Rutgers University and is a licensed professional engineer in California, Nevada and Washington.