Eric L. Keen, P.E.

As vice chairman of the HDR, Inc. Board of Directors, Eric supports and helps guide HDR’s executive team in leadership and strategic growth of the global company.

Eric became chairman and CEO in 2017 after previously serving as president and chief operating officer of HDR, Inc. and engineering company president. In January 2026, he transitioned to non-executive vice chairman and passed the chairman role to John Henderson, CEO of HDR.

A civil/structural engineer by training, Eric has spent his over-40-year career developing and delivering projects across the U.S. He is a registered professional engineer in Nebraska, California, Alaska and Arizona.

Eric joined HDR in 1993 and worked as a project and office manager. He held director positions for HDR’s aviation, highway and bridge practices before becoming the director of transportation in 2004. Under his leadership, the transportation practice grew its planning, program management, design-build and management consulting services to complement an already strong design practice. Eric also oversaw several acquisitions across the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Australia, which expanded the firm’s global presence and capabilities.

Eric is active in many professional and civic groups. In 2012, he led the creation of the HDR Foundation, an employee-funded and administered charitable giving organization. Eric currently serves on the board of Nebraska Medicine, as a trustee for Creighton University, and as a trustee for HonorHealth Foundation.

Eric was born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, before he moved to Iowa City to attend the University of Iowa. He graduated in 1979 with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering.