June 23, 2025, Denver, CO, USA – Knight Piésold USA announces the appointment of Del Shannon as a Senior Principal Geotechnical Engineer. Shannon will spearhead the company’s hydropower business development efforts within its growing power and water business line. With over 35 years of experience in dam engineering and water resources, his appointment further strengthens Knight Piésold’s technical capabilities and position in the dam, water resources, and hydropower industries in the U.S.

“We are exceptionally pleased to welcome Del to our team,” said Paul Ridlen, President of Knight Piésold USA. “His extensive expertise in dam design, construction, and rehabilitation, combined with his leadership in the civil engineering profession, makes him a valuable addition to our team.”

Shannon joins Knight Piésold from Kiewit, the largest domestic heavy contractor in the U.S., where he served as chief engineer for dams and hydraulic structures. His impressive career includes leadership roles and technical positions at Schnabel Engineering, Barnard Construction, ASI Constructors, Black & Veatch, and Woodward-Clyde. His experience spans both the design and construction sides of civil engineering, having been involved as Engineer of Record, project manager, construction manager, and project engineer on a wide variety of embankment and concrete dam projects, including one of the first design-build projects in the dam industry. Shannon holds an M.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a B.A. in Journalism from Pacific Lutheran University.

Shannon is a recognized industry leader who regularly contributes his expertise to local, national, and international committees. A past president of the U.S. Society on Dams (USSD), he currently chairs the USSD Concrete Dams Committee and serves on the Technical Committee on Concrete Dams of USSD’s parent organization, the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD).  He serves as president of the Hydropower Foundation and has led the Dams and Levees section for the Infrastructure Report Card for the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). His projects have received several awards, including the USSD Award of Excellence in the Constructed Project and two National Dam Rehabilitation Project of the Year Awards from the Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO).

Shannon's appointment comes at a strategic time as Knight Piésold's hydropower portfolio continues to expand across the U.S. The company was recently recognized with awards for engineering excellence for the Klamath River Renewal Project and Salton Sea Species Conservation Habitat Project. These transformative projects, delivered in partnership with Kiewit, have established new benchmarks in dam decommissioning and habitat restoration efforts. Knight Piésold's expertise is further demonstrated through major hydropower projects including the 2,000 MW Salt River Pumped Storage Project in Arizona, 500 MW San Vicente Pumped Storage Project in California, and 400 MW Swan Lake North Pumped Storage Project in Oregon.

“Our team has built a solid reputation in the hydropower industry by consistently delivering successful hydroelectric and water resources projects throughout North America,” Ridlen added. “Del’s extensive experience complements our ongoing work in dam engineering, hydropower development, and water resource management. Together, our team will continue to help clients navigate their complex infrastructure challenges while advancing renewable energy solutions, further solidifying our position as industry leaders in hydropower development.”