Kleinfelder Founder James H. Kleinfelder Passes Away
San Diego, California—Kleinfelder mourns the loss of company founder James H. Kleinfelder who passed away March 5, 2017.
“Jim was truly a pioneer,” says Kleinfelder President and CEO George J. Pierson. “He established this company from scratch which speaks highly of his skills as an engineer as well as his character, leadership, and business acumen.”
Education and Early Career
Mr. Kleinfelder received his Bachelor of Science in civil engineering in 1956 and his Master of Science in civil engineering in 1964—both from UC Berkeley. In 1961, while working as a resident engineer for the City of Stockton, he recognized a need for a local materials testing firm. With little more than $1,500 to his name, Mr. Kleinfelder founded a small testing firm. He utilized the testing equipment at the University of the Pacific, and in 1962, the firm came to be known as Stockton Testing and Controls, Inc.
Company Growth
In the first several years, Mr. Kleinfelder secured some large local contracts, which allowed him to invest in his own laboratory equipment and eventually open three additional offices in California, including Merced, Fresno and Sacramento. In 1966, the firm’s name was amended to J.H. Kleinfelder and Associates (Kleinfelder).
Throughout the late 1960s, 70s, and 80s, Mr. Kleinfelder pursued acquisitions and global ventures throughout North America and the Middle East while expanding the company’s capabilities into a diverse set of engineering services. By the end of the 1980s, Kleinfelder had grown to more than 600 employees and $37 million in annual revenue. Mr. Kleinfelder retired as President and CEO of the company in 1993.
Industry Involvement
Throughout his career, Mr. Kleinfelder remained very active in the industry. He was a member of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), a lifetime member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and has served terms as president of both the Hazardous Waste National Coalition and the Associated Soils and Foundation Engineers (now known as ASFE/The Geoprofessional Business Association).
Commitment to University of California, Berkeley
In 2010, Kleinfelder developed the James H. Kleinfelder Fellowship in Geotechnical Engineering—a monetary award which is given annually to a graduate student in the civil engineering master’s program at UC Berkeley. Faculty at the University select one student to receive the award each year based on a number of academic and financial factors.
The Kleinfelder family has chosen to have a private ceremony with family to celebrate Mr. Kleinfelder’s life.
Biographical information courtesy of the UC Berkeley Civil Engineering Department.
