Karen Bray, P.E.

Senior Vice President - General Manager of South Central Region

Houston, Texas, United States

About

Since joining Burns & McDonnell in 2002, I’ve worked with clients in the chemical, midstream and refining industries to bring their projects to life from early concept through full EPC delivery. Currently, I am the General Manager of the South Central Region (Houston, Austin and San Antonio Offices). We specialize in projects in the energy space - whether that be power generation, storage, transmission, distribution, Oil, Gas and Chemicals, or more - and help our clients from initial studies through permitting, design, procurement, and construction. My background is in process engineering, project management, department management, and business development; that experience is beneficial to my clients as I tend to concern myself with overall project delivery. I have a passion for superior project execution, and I’m known for my relentless focus on value-added design concepts and project completion. Outside of work, I enjoy time with my husband and our two sons. I participated in the Central Exchange Emerging Leaders Program, the ECC Association Future Leaders Program and was an active supporter of the Kansas City Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) chapter. In 2021 I moved to Houston. I served on the ECC Board of Directors for a three-year term 2021-2023, and now am on their Executive Advisory Committee. I currently am on the Greater Houston Partnership Board of Directors. As a 100% employee-owned firm ranking in the top 1% for safety, each professional at Burns & McDonnell brings an ownership mentality to our projects. That means we think like owners, working through each challenge until it’s resolved. If you’d like to chat about your business needs, send me an email at [email protected].

Experience

  • Burns & McDonnell (23 yrs 8 mos)
    • Senior Vice President - General Manager of South Central Region
      Jan 2025 - Present · 1 yr 7 mos

      In the south central region, we have ~900 people who are primarily dedicated to serving the energy sector. This is in many facets, from high-voltage power, environmental services, refining, midstream & logistics, chemicals production, consulting studies and full EPC execution of projects.

    • Vice President of Houston Operations for Oil, Gas & Chemical
      Jan 2024 - Jan 2025 · 1 yr 1 mo

      Responsible for Houston Operations (Projects & Engineering) in the Oil, Gas & Chemicals space.

    • Vice President of Process & Project Development
      Jan 2021 - Jan 2024 · 3 yrs 1 mo

      Responsible for early-phase (FEP 0-2) projects in the Oil, Gas & Chemicals space, as well as all Process Engineering.

  • PDP- Professional Development Program at Williams
    Jul 2002 - Dec 2002 · 6 mos

    As a "PDP" in Williams rotation program, I was in the process safety management department. I worked to close out past PHA items and implemented projects associated with them.