After 31 years with Baird, Hampton & Brown, Principal and Electrical Engineer Ken Randall is retiring, leaving behind a legacy of technical excellence, lasting client relationships, and a steady influence that has helped shape the firm for more than three decades.
Ken’s journey to BHB started with a simple postcard.
In the early 1990s, long before online job boards and LinkedIn, Ken and his wife, Tammy, were looking to move closer to her family in Baton Rouge. As they explored communities throughout the South, Ken got creative in his job search. He mailed postcards to engineering firms in places that interested them, hoping to make a connection.
One of those postcards was addressed to Merlin Hampton at Yandell & Hiller. What Ken didn’t know was that Merlin had recently left to start a new firm—Baird, Hampton & Brown. Fortunately, the postcard was forwarded.
As BHB co-founder Bill Baird recalls, “We didn’t have enough work yet to hire him, so we asked him to wait.” For nearly a year, Ken remained in San Diego while the firm continued to grow. When the time finally came to make the hire, BHB reached back out to see if he was still interested. Ken’s response was simple: “I’ll be there in two weeks.” That decision marked the beginning of a career that would span 31 years and leave a lasting impact on the firm.
Not long after arriving in Texas, state licensing requirements changed to require a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Although Ken already held a degree in mathematics, he returned to school at The University of Texas at Arlington while continuing to work full time. The determination that carried him through those years would become a defining characteristic throughout his career.
Over the next 31 years, Ken became known for his practical approach to engineering and his ability to solve complex problems. His work ranged from small renovations to major commercial and industrial facilities, and he built trusted relationships with clients that often lasted decades.
Among the projects he remembers most is the complete renovation and reconstruction of L.D. Bell High School, one of his first major projects at BHB. On the first day of school, an unexpected power outage sent students and staff home. Ken still laughs about receiving a call from Merlin while on vacation asking, “What did you do?” What was a stressful moment at the time eventually became one of his favorite stories from his career.
Many of Ken’s proudest accomplishments weren’t tied to a single project, but to the long-term relationships he developed throughout his career. His work with Arlington Memorial Hospital and Shelter Planners of America (SPOA) helped build partnerships that remain important to the firm today.
Over the years, Ken also took on leadership responsibilities, helping guide BHB through periods of growth and change while continuing to serve clients and mentor younger engineers.
“The impact Ken has had on me has been immeasurable, both professionally and personally,” Paul Morris, Sr. Associate and Electrical Engineer, said. “He has taught me so much in how to navigate the challenges of being a professional engineer and manager in the consulting business. I cannot thank him enough for the investment he has made in me.”
Whether leading a project, solving a technical challenge, or offering advice to a colleague, he approached every opportunity with humility, professionalism, and a commitment to doing what was best for the client and the firm.
Outside of work, Ken has dedicated his time to serving the community. He is a former Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) of Tarrant County and was nominated for the organization’s Rookie of the Year award in 2014. He remains active in the Texas Society of Professional Engineers, supporting the continuing education and professional development of engineers throughout the Fort Worth area. He and Tammy are active members of Abiding Faith Lutheran Church.
As he begins retirement, Ken is looking forward to spending more time with family, volunteering with the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, enjoying theater and Cleburne Railroaders baseball games, and traveling. Spain and Portugal are already on the calendar this fall.
While Ken’s retirement marks the end of an important chapter for BHB, the relationships he built, the people he mentored, and the example he set will continue to have an impact for years to come.
Please join us in thanking Ken for 31 years of dedication, friendship, and service to BHB. We wish him and Tammy all the best as they begin this exciting new chapter.
Congratulations, Ken, and thank you for everything you’ve done for BHB.
