With three decades of experience at HEAPY, Ken Lewallen continues to bring passion, precision, and professionalism to every project. As a Mechanical Designer and LEED Green Associate, Ken reflects on his career journey, highlights defining moments, and shares how collaboration and communication have shaped his success.
Q: How do you leverage your strengths and skills for success in your role?
I’ve always been detail oriented. At a young age, I knew I would pursue a career in architecture or engineering because I enjoyed problem-solving and creating order from complexity. That mindset has carried me through my entire career.
I take pride in the work that I do and always strive to ensure that the drawings I produce are professional, well organized, and easy for others to interpret. It’s important to me that my work not only meets technical standards but also reflects the level of care and precision our clients expect from HEAPY.
Q: Can you share a defining moment, achievement, or a favorite project in your career at HEAPY that stands out to you?
Being promoted to Mechanical Designer was a huge milestone for me, it’s something I’ve spent years working toward. One of my favorite projects was West Carrollton Elementary School. It was a great opportunity to be more involved in the design process and to work on a comprehensive, district-wide upgrade. The project included the demolition of five aging school buildings and the design of new LEED Silver-certified facilities. We provided full MEP and technology design for the new buildings, as well as selective renovations to the high school auditorium, ensuring systems remained operational and code-compliant after adjacent demolition. It was a complex project that gave me valuable experience and a sense of pride in contributing to a long-term improvement for the school district.
Q: What has kept you motivated and passionate about your work at HEAPY for 30 years?
Being part of a team and putting out a great product is something that has always made me proud of what I do. HEAPY is built around collaboration, and that environment makes it possible to consistently deliver quality results for our clients. One of the foundations of our Colleague First culture is trust—respecting each colleague’s unique skills to help create environments that thrive. That same collaboration and trust extend to our relationships with clients, allowing us to stay aligned and connected with our common purpose and vision. It’s that shared commitment that keeps me motivated and passionate about the work we do every day.
Q: How do you foster a collaborative environment within your team and ensure successful projects?
Maintaining clear and consistent communication with my colleagues is the cornerstone to the development of a successful project. I make it a priority to support and consider the innovative ideas of others; especially when they bring added value for the client. Open collaboration keeps the team aligned, ensures everyone is moving toward a shared objective, and contributes to a more efficient and effective project delivery.
