Brenda Garza Karhoff

Brenda Garza Karhoff, SE, PE, is the President and the founding principal of the Garza Karhoff Engineering, LLC (GKE). Ms. Karhoff is an MSCE and BSCE graduate of the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana and has over 29 years of experience. She is a licensed Structural Engineer and a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Illinois and a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Wisconsin.

Brenda began her career in transportation industry by interning with IDOT while a student at the University of Illinois. This opportunity provided her with an introduction and strong foundation for the inner workings of on-site bridge and roadway construction. Upon graduation in 1995, Ms. Karhoff moved from her home town of Danville, IL to Chicago, IL to work for a prominent design engineering firm. During this time, Brenda had the opportunity to work on a variety of high profile projects including Lake Shore Drive Reconstruction, IDOT Stevenson Expressway at Damen Ave., Chicago’s O’Hare Airport G-Concourse Renovation and the CTA Brownline Reconstruction. Consequently, with the rich experience, gained knowledge and fortitude, Brenda ventured on her own and founded GKE in 2008.

GKE is located in Chicago, Illinois and provides structural and civil engineering consulting services in the transportation and buildings sectors. GKE is a certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) with the Illinois Department of Transportation/UCP, a certified Minority and Woman Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE) with the City of Chicago. GKE currently works as a team member with leading engineering firms on various projects through-out the Chicagoland area including the Illinois Tollway, IDOT, CDOT, CDA and CTA.

Ms. Karhoff currently serves HACIA as Chair of the Membership Committee. She seeks to provide members with the knowledge and opportunity to improve business operations and enhance professional growth. She is also a member of American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois (ACEC-IL) and the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois (SEAOI). Brenda resides in the Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago, IL with her husband Mark.