KAI proudly announces the hiring of Catherine Dalton, AIA, RID, LEED AP BD+C, as K-12 Market Leader at its Dallas-Fort Worth office.
In her new role, Dalton will lead KAI’s efforts to deliver innovative design solutions tailored to the unique needs of K-12 environments across the region, state and nationally. She will promote community engagement and contribute to the holistic development of students through building strong relationships with like-minded clients, consultants and contractors. Additionally, she will oversee project management, channel team alignment and growth through mentorship, and strategically drive market positioning, sales and profit management.
“It is my firm belief that education is a powerful tool for positive change, and I couldn’t be more proud to be part of a team dedicated to creating such opportunities,” said Dalton. I am delighted to accept a new position as K-12 Market Leader at KAI Enterprises, a company deeply committed to making a positive impact on our communities. KAI has a remarkable track record in client empathy, community engagement, and championing equity. I’m truly excited about the alignment of my passion for delivering transformational educational environments and the mission of this organization.”
An award-winning architect and interior designer, Dalton started her career as an architect in 2007 working for Corgan Associates, Inc. in Dallas. In 2013, she accepted a Project Architect position at Perkins & Will and was promoted multiple times within the firm over the course of 10 years to her most recent position as Project Manager. She has been recognized for her work in the industry and has received several awards from the Texas Alliance of School Administrators (TASA), Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) and School Construction News for her design excellence.
“I am deeply committed to engaging and empowering our youth through school design. This is why I hold both an Architecture and Interior license, so that we can carefully and thoughtfully craft inspiring spaces conducive for all learning types,” said Dalton.
She has a Bachelor of Architecture from Louisiana State University and is a LEED AP BD+C, with affiliations in the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE).
Her extensive education design portfolio includes the following recent projects:
- Berkner High School STEM Exploration Center – Richardson, TX – A Caudill Award winning project completed in 2019, the 7,350-square-foot facility in the Richardson Independent School District was designed to appeal to students of all ages, encouraging them to interact with their surroundings and explore new possibilities for learning and workforce preparedness.
- Katherine Johnson Technology Magnet Academy – Desoto, TX – A $25.4 million Desoto ISD school completed in Aug. 2018. Catherine and the team developed a hyper-adaptable space with each grade level having access to its own collaboration area and adjacent outdoor lab. Additional features include a vibrant two-story media center and colorful nooks and tutor rooms for quiet study.
- Lamar High School – Houston, TX – A $105 million high school transformation completed in 2020 includes a 110,000-square-foot historical renovation, 289,000 square feet of new construction, and a 530-car parking garage. Careful consolidation of the program, traffic flow, and parking yielded the opportunity. Lamar High School won Huston Business Journal’s Landmark Award for Education in 2021 as well as TASA-TASB stars of distinction.
“Having Catherine join our KAI Design team is another critical step in the growth trajectory of our Design practice in DFW and our national platform,” said KAI Managing Partner Brad Simmons, FAIA. “Catherine brings two decades of industry experience. She is a recognized K-12 thought leader with proven project excellence and is known as a trusted advisor and advocate for her clients. Catherine’s passion to create compelling design solutions balanced with technical excellence coupled with an efficient and well-organized educational space program have proven highly successful for her clients and projects.”
About KAI Enterprises
KAI Enterprises is a national design and build firm providing delivery-oriented building solutions with a diverse portfolio of experience, in-house multi-discipline professionals, and expertise in both design and construction delivery. Founded in 1980, KAI has grown into one of the largest minority-owned firms in the AEC industry. For more than 40 years, KAI has been instrumental in transforming communities through its expertise in residential, commercial, K-12, higher education, healthcare, science and technology, aviation, mobility, sports and entertainment, government, water and community-focused projects. KAI Enterprises is comprised of four distinct business units—KAI Design, KAI Engineering, KAI Build and KAI 360 Construction Services. To learn more about KAI, visit www.kai-db.com.
