Staff Spotlight: Karen Gabel, Electrical Designer
At Wick Fisher White, no two days look the same for Electrical Designer Karen Gabel — and that’s exactly what keeps her energized.
“Each day is different,” Karen shares. “The jobs that come into the office are very challenging, and that’s what I love about them.”
Karen uses a blend of technical skill and creative problem-solving to bring power and light to some of the firm's most complex projects. Whether she’s designing lighting layouts or calculating electrical loads, her go-to tools include AutoCAD, design charts, a calculator, and the NEC Code book. Collaboration is key to her process — she often reaches out to team members through Teams or face-to-face to ensure every design detail aligns.
One of Karen’s standout projects is with a confidential financial services firm, where Wick Fisher White supported a multi-phase renovation to transform an existing office building into a modern, connected workplace. She’s especially proud of the cafeteria lighting system she helped design — a detail that adds warmth and vibrancy to the client’s new space.
A project that pushed her out of her comfort zone was Bonner-Prendergast High School Athletic Field Power Renovation:
“I had to provide power for the high school football field lighting,” she recalls. “It involved selecting a new pad-mounted shed with a grounding ring for new panelboards and creating a lighting control system for the field — it was definitely a learning experience.”
When asked what advice she’d share with others in the field, Karen emphasizes accuracy and perspective:
“Take accurate field measurements when placing new equipment — and if you ever get overwhelmed, step away from your computer and come back to it.”
Through her dedication, technical expertise, and collaborative approach, Karen helps bring each project to life — ensuring spaces are not only functional but thoughtfully designed. Her work reflects the impact that careful planning, creativity, and teamwork can have on every space she touches.
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