Katy Lunsford Found Passion in Helping Provide Solutions

Katy Lunsford at Yosemite National Park.

What is your name and job title?

Katy Lunsford, P.E., Program Manager at the Washington WASO Construction Program Management Division

Does curiosity and wonder play a role in being an engineer? If so, how does it impact you and your work?

I took a winding path to becoming an engineer. In high school, I was convinced I was going to be a high school band director. Once I was part of a college’s music education program, I felt I was missing something. I ended up taking Chemistry 101 and pre-calculus and afterwards, I was hooked and changed majors to Chemical Engineering, all while still participating in marching, jazz, pep and concert bands.

I was intrigued at the problem solving. I liked how processes lead from one place to another. Teamwork among my fellow students was enriching and allowed me to grow both intellectually and personally. Being a chemical engineer and working in the Enhanced Oil Recovery lab at school, I was targeting a career in the oil industry. After a couple of plant trips, returning home and having my clothes smell like the refinery, I had second thoughts.

What is one of your favorite facets about being an engineer? Or what might surprise people about being an engineer?

It just so happened that a Navy research lab in Southern California was on campus recruiting one day and one thing led to another and I was offered a position. The idea I was going to be making a difference for the men and women in the Navy was exciting!

I was assigned to work on the Cold Weather program, which supported facilities in Antarctica. Six months after graduating, I was studying compacted snow roads, land to sea-ice transition zones, and the settling at the South Pole Station Dome. The highlight during this project, was when I presented the study from the South Pole to the National Science Foundation, it included recommending they request funding for a new South Pole station, which they did and resulted in a new station.

Tell us about a unique or special technology or practice that you've had the opportunity to experience working with or using in your career? What problem did it solve?

While still at the research lab, I transferred to logistics support for the U.S. Navy Seabees design systems to allow for more rapid loading of equipment and tools on to aircraft. As technology was being presented to Construction Forces, I was charged with determining if it was just the latest widget or would add value.

What is one of your favorite park projects that you've worked on and why?

Upon transferring to Norfolk, I was introduced to program management, working the Base Relocation and Closure (BRAC) for Navy facilities on the east coast. I was hooked. It was fitting facility solutions into programmatic needs and requirements.

One of my favorite projects was working on the new Explosive Handling Wharf, new expanded runway to accommodate a new airframe, or the new powerline across Machias Bay to power a telecom station, all was supporting those doing the Navy mission or supporting the mission in the facilities world. All these skills brought me to the National Park Service (NPS) nearly five years ago.

I find satisfaction in working with region and park staff and to be the conduit of information between our Washington D.C. Office and the units. My favorite answer is “yes.” Thinking that project might add value at a park or bring more to the visitor, is rewarding.

If your older self gave your younger self advice, what would it be?

It’s been gratifying to be an engineer in the federal government. Trying something new out of one’s comfort zone can bring growth, as well finding something you like even better. Striving to find where your piece of the puzzle fits can bring clarity as well as greater understanding.

I found my passion – helping provide a solution to those in the field or a park. If I can help articulate the need and be a proponent of the solution, that is a great day. I continue to learn each day how it takes a village – a really big one to be successful. Rely on those who know more and learn something new each day.