Hillis-Carnes Announces the Hiring of Mr. Karl Higgins, P.E., BC.GE, as Chief Operating Officer

Hillis-Carnes is proud to announce the appointment of Mr. Karl Higgins as our new Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. Karl succeeds Mr. Timothy Hill, P.E., who is transitioning to a new role on the Hillis-Carnes Board of Directors after 30 years of dedicated leadership and service with Hillis-Carnes and more than 45 years in the industry. Tim will remain on the executive team to assist during the transition for the remainder of 2025 until the transition is complete.

During his tenure, Tim played a pivotal role in shaping Hillis-Carnes’ growth, culture, and operational excellence. He led major initiatives such as opening a number of new office locations in the Mid-Atlantic region, secured landmark projects such as M&T BANK Stadium, Nationals Ballpark, Heinz Field, and the Washington Convention Center, and leaving a lasting impact on our team and clients alike. We thank Tim for his remarkable leadership and wish him the very best in retirement.

Karl Higgins brings over 35 years of industry experience in Geotechnical Engineering and Building Construction Inspection, providing services for both private and public sector clients, including local, county, federal, and state agencies. Karl is a Board-Certified Geotechnical Engineer by the Academy of Geo-Professionals, ASCE.  Most recently, Karl served as the Chief Engineer for a large national engineering firm with more than 850 employees. Karl has also served in other various management roles, overseeing hundreds of engineers, geologists, and technicians serving the DMV area.  He is a member of ASCE, NAIOP, Deep Foundations Institute, and the Pile Driving Contractors Association and is also a Professional Engineer in Maryland, Virginia, DC, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Florida, and North Carolina.

“We are thrilled to welcome Karl to our executive team,” said Bill Carnes, P.E. “He brings a proven track record of technical expertise, operational excellence, and visionary leadership that aligns perfectly with our strategic goals.”

“I’m honored to join Hillis-Carnes at such an exciting time,” said Higgins. “I look forward to working alongside the incredible team here to build on the strong foundation and continue driving results.”

This transition marks an exciting new chapter for Hillis-Carnes, and we look ahead to a future of continued success and innovation in the engineering industry.