18 Dec 2025

Interview with Karen Purcell

With over 20 members upgrading their memberships this year, it has been a period of real momentum. One of those members is Karen Purcell, a Nevada-based engineer (CEng MILP), whose journey offers a unique international perspective.

Karen is the founder, president, and CEO of PK Electrical, Inc, with an impressive 35+ year career in the industry encompassing roles as a designer, project manager, and business owner. Her expertise lies in the meticulous coordination and management of design processes, supported by her professional engineering license in the State of Nevada and an electrical engineering degree from Widener University in Pennsylvania.

Karen plays a pivotal role as the firm's quality assurance lead, overseeing quality control measures and serving as the engineer of record, ensuring standards and engineering integrity across all projects.

We spoke with Karen to explore what inspired her to pursue her upgrade with the ILP.

How did you first hear about the ILP?
I was researching professional organizations that could support my goal of becoming a Chartered Engineer in the UK, and the ILP stood out as the one most closely aligned with the work we do.

There are lighting institution bodies in the United States. Why did you choose the ILP?
The ILP’s mission, resources, and focus areas are directly relevant to our projects, and its approach to education and professional development aligns closely with my own values. It felt like the right fit both technically and culturally.

Have you ever visited the UK? And, if not, would you?
Yes, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting the UK a few times.

What was the highlight of your membership journey?
Being accepted from Affiliate Member to Full Member status was a major milestone for me and a proud moment in my professional journey.

If there are any lighting and lighting design professionals who are considering becoming a member of the ILP, what would you say to them?
If lighting is your passion, the ILP offers invaluable technical resources, networking opportunities, and educational programs. This approach allows you to expand your knowledge and remain informed about international best practices.

As the CEO and President of PK Electrical, Inc, are there any exciting projects in the pipeline you want to share?
We’re proud to lead the lighting design for many projects, including the Reno-Tahoe International Airport Concourse Expansion and Denver International Airport Concourse B and C Expansion, Nevada Department of Transportation I-15 Tropicana Interchange, City of Reno Moana Springs Aquatic Center, Washoe County School District Procter R. Hug High School (Wildcreek), Renown Tahoe Tower 5 & 9 Fit Out and Cosmetic Upgrades, United States Air Force Madera Cyber Innovation Center, etc. These are just a few examples from our diverse portfolio, and we have many more exciting opportunities ahead.

Thank you, Karen, for your time and congratulations again on your membership upgrade!

It gives us great pleasure to see how far the ILP's impact has reached. Congratulations to all our members (both national and international) who have upgraded their memberships.