Galen Cooter Joins Kleinfelder as Senior Vice President and Health and Safety Director

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Kleinfelder Group, Inc. (“Kleinfelder”), a leading engineering, design, construction management, construction materials inspection and testing, and environmental professional services firm, announced today the appointment of Galen Cooter as Senior Vice President and Health and Safety Director. In this executive leadership role, Cooter will direct Kleinfelder’s enterprise-wide health and safety strategy, advancing the firm's safety-first culture, risk management framework, and operational resilience across all national and regional market sectors.

Cooter brings more than 20 years of safety leadership experience spanning engineering, environmental, construction, and field-services operations. Most recently, Cooter served as Vice President of Safety, Health, and Environment at AECOM, where he successfully oversaw enterprise programs supporting more than 8,000 professionals and approximately $4 billion in active projects across a national footprint.

"Galen brings an exceptional record of strategic leadership, data-driven safety innovation, and operational excellence," said Chief Operating Officer Victor Auvinen. "His extensive background across complex field operations, regulatory compliance, risk reduction, and team development will be instrumental as Kleinfelder continues to expand its footprint while keeping the safety and well-being of our employees and project partners at the absolute forefront."

Throughout his career, Cooter has demonstrated a strong track record of designing high-performing safety programs that yield tangible results. During his tenure at AECOM, he reduced safety operating costs while improving efficiencies in safety training and program delivery. His technical expertise encompasses laboratory and radiation safety, subcontractor prequalification, client risk alignment, incident management, and business continuity.

"Kleinfelder has built a strong reputation for technical excellence and client commitment," said Cooter. "I am honored to join the executive team and look forward to building upon the firm’s solid safety foundation by empowering our teams, leveraging safety metrics to proactively mitigate risk, and fostering a culture where every employee returns home safely every day."

Prior to his corporate career, Cooter served as a Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defense Specialist in the United States Marine Corps, leading specialized assessment teams during Operation Iraqi Freedom and acting as Chief Instructor for military CBRN and civilian HAZWOPER training compliance. He is a recipient of the prestigious National Safety Council Rising Stars of Safety Award and holds several top industry credentials, including Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Associate in Risk Management (ARM), Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), and Certified Instructional Trainer (CIT).

Cooter holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Arizona and a Bachelor of Arts in Emergency and Disaster Management from American Military University.

Kleinfelder. Bright People. Right Solutions.

Founded in 1961, Kleinfelder is a leading engineering, design, construction management, construction materials inspection and testing, and environmental professional services firm. Kleinfelder is proud to have been recognized by Forbes as one of America's Best Employers for Engineers. Kleinfelder employs over 3,300 professionals and operates from over 100 office locations in the United States, Canada, and Australia. The company is headquartered in San Diego, California. Poised for growth, Kleinfelder continues to provide high-quality solutions for our diverse client base. Visit Kleinfelder.com and follow us on LinkedIn/Kleinfelder.