T. Keith King, former Volkert president, CEO, and chairman of the board, received Auburn University’s 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award on March 3, 2018. This award recognizes recipients for their service to the university, professional achievements, and personal integrity.
David Volkert recruited King to work as a project engineer for Volkert in 1960. Over the next two decades he also served as a project manager, vice president, and executive vice president/CFO. In 1983, he became president and CEO, and in 2000, shortly before David Volkert’s death, he was also named chairman of the board. In 2011, he passed the gavel of leadership to Perry Hand but continued as chief operating officer until his retirement in 2012, completing more than a half-century of service to his firm.
King led by example at Volkert and stressed customer satisfaction, teamwork, and continuous improvement. Under his leadership, Volkert grew in size and diversified its service offerings.
Throughout his storied career, King received many accolades for his professional successes—both for his projects and his leadership. He was inducted into the State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame in 2002.
King served on the State of Alabama Licensure Board, chaired the Business Council of Alabama, and served as the vice president of the Southeastern Region of the National Society of Professional Engineers. He has also been named Distinguished Auburn Engineer by the Auburn Alumni Engineering Council and has served on the Auburn Alumni Board of Directors.