Kleinfelder Taps Veteran Goershel for Federal Market Offensive

SAN DIEGO, CA – April 21, 2026 – In a strategic move signaling a major push into the federal contracting arena, engineering firm The Kleinfelder Group, Inc. has appointed David (Dave) Goershel as its new National Federal Market Manager. The appointment places a 40-year industry veteran at the helm of the company’s federal growth strategy, a clear and calculated maneuver to capture a larger share of the historic government spending flowing from recent infrastructure and environmental legislation.

Goershel, who will retain his roles as Executive Vice President and South Division Director, is tasked with overseeing Kleinfelder's entire federal growth strategy. The move comes as the firm, with its 3,300 professionals across more than 100 offices, aims to scale its operations to meet a surge in demand for engineering, environmental, and construction management services across government agencies.

“We’re excited to appoint Dave Goershel to this expanded role,” said Ann Massey, president of Kleinfelder, in a statement. “His proven leadership will enhance our service to federal clients and strengthen program delivery.”

A Calculated Bet on Federal Dollars

Kleinfelder's strategic realignment is timed to capitalize on an unprecedented wave of government investment. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), a $1.2 trillion legislative package, still has an estimated $492 billion in federal funding to be allocated through 2026. This includes tens of billions annually for the Department of Transportation, the Federal Transit Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Beyond the IIJA, significant funds are being directed toward specific agency needs. The Department of Defense (DoD), for instance, has a fiscal year 2025 budget request of $1.6 billion for cleaning up contaminated sites, particularly those affected by PFAS chemicals, with total estimated cleanup costs soaring past $38 billion. Another $21.5 billion is slated for military housing construction and repair in the FY27 budget request. This sustained, high-level spending creates a fertile market for firms with the technical expertise and regulatory know-how to execute large-scale projects.

Kleinfelder has already established a foothold in this space, participating in federal projects through joint ventures such as the geotechnical work on the Tule River Spillway Enlargement Project for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. However, Goershel's appointment signals a shift from participation to an aggressive pursuit of leadership in the market.

The Goershel Advantage: Decades of Federal Expertise

Central to Kleinfelder's strategy is Goershel himself. With over three decades dedicated specifically to the federal market, his resume reads like a directory of key government agencies. He has held executive leadership roles and managed large-scale programs with a host of Department of Defense organizations, including the Air Force Civil Engineer Center, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC). His experience extends to civilian agencies like the National Park Service, FEMA, and the General Services Administration.

Before joining Kleinfelder in 2023, Goershel served as President of East US Operations for Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions, where he led a $450 million business unit with 1,800 employees. His background as a certified Professional Geologist and Project Management Professional (PMP) provides a foundation of technical and managerial credibility.

This deep, embedded experience is what Kleinfelder is betting on. “Dave has demonstrated his ability to develop strategies for sustainable growth in the federal market and to identify, win, and successfully execute projects and programs while adhering to strict federal compliance requirements,” Massey noted, highlighting the dual challenge of winning and delivering on government work.

“I am honored to take on this expanded role at such a pivotal time for our federal team," Goershel stated. "Kleinfelder is exceptionally positioned to provide the technical expertise and innovative solutions required by our government partners."

Navigating a Crowded and Complex Field

Kleinfelder's ambitions will not go uncontested. The federal engineering sector is a highly competitive landscape dominated by giants like AECOM, Jacobs, and Fluor, alongside specialized firms such as Terracon, which boasts a portfolio of over 21,000 federal projects. Success in this market requires more than just technical skill; it demands mastery of a labyrinthine regulatory environment.

The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), particularly Part 36 governing architect-engineer contracts, and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) create high barriers to entry. These regulations dictate everything from qualification-based selection processes to stringent cybersecurity protocols for handling controlled information, especially on DoD projects. Firms must demonstrate not only their ability to design a project but also their capacity to manage it within strict funding limits and assume liability for design deficiencies.

This is where an experienced leader like Goershel becomes a critical asset. His long career navigating these very regulations and building relationships within federal agencies is expected to provide Kleinfelder with a significant competitive advantage. His expertise is the key to unlocking opportunities and mitigating the substantial risks associated with federal contracting, turning regulatory complexity from a barrier into a defensible moat.

With this strategic alignment of leadership and market opportunity, the firm is positioning itself not just as a contractor, but as a key partner in executing the federal government's most critical infrastructure and environmental mandates for the coming decade.