Posted: Tue, Sep 09, 2025
The CSI Knoxville Chapter is a diverse group that represents the breadth of the design and construction industry. Come join us each 2nd Tuesday for food, fellowship and excellent educational presentations at the ACG Educational Building on Ragsdale Ave. You can make a lunch reservation by clicking on the button to the right of the screen. Come meet some old and new friends.
Posted: Mon, Aug 04, 2025
The Annual Awards Gala will be held on August 11 at Bearden Banquet Hall at 5806 Kingston Pike. Social Hour will be from 6:00 - 7:00. Dinner and the Awards Program will follow. Come celebrate the success of our chapter and the members who made it possible. Cost for a member and their significant other is free, but a reservation is required. Make your reservation here.
Posted: Tue, Jun 17, 2025
Please join me in welcoming Ms. Angela Smith as a new member of the Knoxville Chapter. She is a licensed engineer with a wide range of experience. She has a BS in civil engineering, MS in environmental engineering and is now pursuing a PHD in Biosystems. She has served on the faculty in the UTK Construction Science and Management program for the past 8 years.
Angela has taught a variety of courses at UT from Construction Fundamentals, Surveying, Statics, Project Scheduling, MEP, Stormwater Management and much more. She is also leading the team to get ACCE accreditation for the UTK program. In her spare time, she advises and supports students and student organizations on campus. She has volunteered to serve as Faculty Advisor for our student chapter. “I joined CSI to support the restart of the CSI student chapter, which I anticipate will encourage students to build a stronger network within the industry and college”.
When asked to share a little about her background, she said, “My grandfather was one of five founders of the City of Pigeon Forge. His livelihood was a small construction company, which built a large portion of the homes, motels, and businesses in the city. Many of his grandchildren, including me, became engineers, entrepreneurs, and /or construction professionals.” She and her husband, who she met in a UTK civil engineering class, live on a 7-acre farm in New Market with their 3 cats.
Angela explained that she had pursued degrees in civil and environmental engineering, “because I wanted to help build infrastructure that would benefit everyone. After years of project design, I saw the deficit of construction managers and switched my career focus to educating young people on good construction management practices. Academia is a great fit for me because I enjoy problem solving and feel best when I am working toward building better communities”.
With her passion for students’ interest in design and construction, she provides our chapter an excellent opportunity to develop the vision of strong bridges between the two programs. CSI has many resources to bring to the table, including years of experience in all aspects of the design and construction process. Please reach out and introduce yourself to Angela and potentially become part of growing the student effort into a multi-disciplinary program mirroring CSI’s demographics within the design and construction industry.
Posted: Fri, May 02, 2025
I am excited to introduce you to a new member to the Knoxville Chapter who has many decades of experience serving in CSI. Ken Buschle has relocated from Southwest Florida to Loudon, Tennessee the week before Thanksgiving. I saw Ken at our Product Show in March but I first reached out to him when I was serving on the CSI College of Fellows Nominating Committee. I was seeking CSI Fellows who had interest in serving as officers in the College of Fellows. Ken kindly declined, due to his upcoming commitment to serve as Chair of the Jury of Fellows. (you cannot serve on both concurrently) He shared with me that he was in the process of closing life in Florida and relocating to Tennessee to be closer to his children and grandchildren who live in West Knoxville and Maryville. The pull of grandchildren is impossible to resist!
Ken’s journey into design and construction started when he obtained degrees in both Architectural Technology and Building Construction Technology from Saint Peterburg College in Clearwater, FL in 1988. He started working at GMA Architects and Planners (then Gora/McGahey Architects) as a Contract Administrator. GMA is a small architectural firm with a sole office located in Fort Myers, FL. They primarily serve commercial projects in several counties in SW Florida.
“I took over the role of Specifier and QA/QC Coordinator two years later, while continuing to oversee the CA Department. I tried to ‘retire’ but I’m still ‘helping out’ on an on-call basis, primarily with Specification review and RFQ responses.” Ken currently holds CDT and LEED-AP certifications but has previously held his CCCA and CCS certifications. In addition to this he was licensed by the Florida Department of Professional Regulation as an inspector in Building, Plumbing, Mechanical and Commercial Electrical.
When asked about his CSI background he shared this. “I joined the CSI Florida Southwest Chapter in 1997. Like most of us ‘old-timers’ I have served in just about every capacity at the Chapter level at some point.” In addition to chapter service, he has been active at the Region and Institute levels also. He served as President of the Southeast Region for 2 ½ terms (5 years), stepping in when the then existing president abruptly resigned. He has been a two term member of the Institute Board, chaired both the Institute Awards and Nomination Committees and he does peer reviews for the CSI Convention presentations. He was elevated to Fellow in 2016. Currently he chairs the Jury of Fellows.
In Ken’s spare time, he loves to fish from his kayak. Now he needs a little advice on how to fish Watts Bar Lake. I’m sure Ken would love to hear from any of you fishermen. Please introduce yourself and welcome Ken to East Tennessee.
Posted: Thu, Mar 13, 2025
Hollie Cook, Director of Preservation Services at Knox Heritage, will be our speaker at the June chapter meeting and will present an informative session that explores the rich history and core values of Knox Heritage. This overview will provide attendees with a foundational understanding of the organization's mission, goals, and the importance of preserving historic buildings.
In addition, the presenter will also provide a comprehensive overview of the various tools and resources available to architects, designers, and contractors for identifying historical significance in existing buildings and sites. This will include a detailed discussion on how to assess and document the historical value of structures, as well as the techniques and methodologies for conducting thorough site evaluations. The session will cover legal protections available to historically significant properties, including local, state, and federal designations such as landmark status and National Register listings.
Lastly, participants will explore preservation treatments and best practices for maintaining the architectural integrity of historical buildings while adapting them for modern use. The course will highlight the financial incentives available to property owners and developers working on preservation projects, such as tax credits, grants, and low-interest loans.
The presenter will examine the interplay between local, state, and federal regulations governing historical preservation, offering insights into how these laws shape design decisions and project timelines. By the end of the session, attendees will have a deeper understanding of the complex regulatory environment surrounding historical buildings and the tools they can utilize to navigate these challenges successfully.
Ms. Cook holds a BA in Art History from the University of Tennessee, which she earned in 2002. Hollie served on the Board of Directors for the East Tennessee Community Design Center from 2014 to 2020 and is presently a member of the Board of Directors for AIA East Tennessee.
Earns 1 hour AIA/CES credit.
We meet at the AGC Building at 3306 Ragsdale Ave. Lunch is served at 11:45 and the program begins at noon. Reservations are required. Register Here.
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