News Release Archive

Karen Knight named as Director of Security, Safety, and Law Enforcement for the Bureau of Reclamation

Media Contact: Peter Soeth, 303-445-3615, psoeth@usbr.gov

For Release: August 24, 2018

Karen Knight, P.E.WASHINGTON - Bureau of Reclamation's Commissioner Brenda Burman announced that Karen Knight, P.E., was selected as the Director of Security, Safety, and Law Enforcement for the Bureau of Reclamation.

The Security, Safety and Law Enforcement Office, located in Denver, Colorado, is responsible for protecting the public, Reclamation employees, and Reclamation facilities through the development and implementation of an integrated security, safety, and law enforcement program.

"Nothing is more important to us than the safety of the public, our employees, and our facilities," said Commissioner Burman "and I am certain that Karen Knight will do an outstanding job leading Security, Safety, and Law Enforcement for the Bureau of Reclamation."

Knight will be the first woman to lead Security, Safety, and Law Enforcement at Reclamation. "As the first female Commissioner of Reclamation, it brings me great pride to welcome Ms. Knight as a fellow pioneer, breaking another glass ceiling as the person best qualified to fill this important leadership role." said Commissioner Burman.

Knight joined Reclamation in 1999; and has served as team leader and lead designer for embankment and foundation safety modifications with Reclamation's Technical Service Center Dam Safety Advisory Team; manager of Geotechnical Engineering; and Chief of the Geotechnical Services Division. Knight became Chief of the Dam Safety Office at Reclamation in 2015, where she oversaw five major dam safety projects which have been completed or advanced to construction.

Knight has a Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She is a registered professional engineer, a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the U.S. Society on Dams where she has served on the Board of Directors, and the Association of State Dam Safety Officials.

# # #

The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.