Karen Alarid

Executive Director, Facilities Design & Construction

Albuquerque Public Schools

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Karen Alarid was a featured speaker at The K12 Facilities Forum’19

Karen Alarid, a registered architect, is the Executive Director of Capital for Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) and Executive Director of the Facilities Design + Construction division which includes oversight of the Real Estate division. A native New Mexican, she earned a B.F.A. in Architecture from the University of New Mexico.

APS maintains the largest collection of public buildings in New Mexico that total over 15 million square feet of traditional school buildings, portable classrooms, and administrative offices and facilities. Under the direction of Ms. Alarid, APS is leading the way nationally in building green and sustainable school facilities and has developed its own LEED v4 Project Guideline that represents the most lasting concepts in designing effective learning environments.

Previously she served as County of Bernalillo Project Administrator and Architect (2004-2005 and 1997-1998); Staff Architect for Albuquerque Public Schools (2003-2004); and State of New Mexico Metropolitan Court Project Administrator for the design and construction of $46.5 million Albuquerque Metropolitan Court Building and Court Parking Structure (1998-2003).

Ms. Alarid’s community involvement includes currently serving on the Bernalillo County Detention Facility Oversight Management Advisory Board and previously Board of Directors of Outpost Performance Space Board of Directors; the Albuquerque Museum Foundation; Creative Albuquerque; United States Green Building Council (New Mexico); and the Bernalillo County Water Conservation Advisory Group, among other organizations.

Ms. Alarid’s numerous recognitions include the 2019 Distinguished Client Award (Elevate Design and Honor Awards) – presented by the American Institute of Architects (New Mexico Chapter); 2019 Best of Green Schools Award (Policy Maker category) – presented by the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council and the Green Schools National Network; 2015-16 Outstanding Community Supporter – presented by the Albuquerque Museum Foundation; 2015 Renewable Energy Innovator of the Year – presented by the New Mexico Association of Energy Engineers; 2014 University of New Mexico School of Architecture + Planning Distinguished Alumni Award; 2010 New Mexico Rainmaker (one of 10 statewide) and Power Broker (one of 100 statewide) – presented by New Mexico Business Weekly; 2008 Green Building Leadership Award – presented by the Board of Directors of the Home Builders Association of Central New Mexico; 2007 Green Sustainable Building Professional of the Year – presented by the New Mexico Association of Energy Engineers; 2007 Outstanding Public Owner of the Year – presented by The New Mexico Building Branch, Associated General Contractors of America; and 2006 Women of Influence – presented by New Mexico Business Weekly.