KATIE FRANCIS

FOUNDER & CEO

We write and manage the documents that help engineers and technical professionals succeed.

About The Founder

I'm an engineer and a writer whose journey began with bachelor's degrees in Geological Engineering and Geology & Geophysics from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, followed by a master's in Civil Engineering from the University of California - Berkeley. Over the next 20 years, I practiced briefly as a field geophysicist and later as an engineering seismologist, serving the nuclear and hydroelectric industries.I became known for my technical expertise, but my ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity is what sets me apart. Where others avoided writing, I embraced it—refining my skills and managing writing projects across every phase, from proposals to final reports. Eventually, I realized I enjoyed writing about engineering more than practicing it.I founded KF Consulting in 2024 to help engineers and technical professionals communicate more effectively. KF Consulting combines engineering problem-solving expertise with a passion for writing to create clear, engaging, and audience-focused documents that help companies succeed.

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

Ms. Francis provides project management and leadership in technical writing and editing. She contributes expert technical knowledge in engineering seismology, geology and geophysics, and geotechnical engineering. She has served on Senior Seismic Hazard Analysis Committee (SSHAC) Technical Integration Teams, developed Nuclear Quality Assurance (NQA-1) programs, reviewed grants for the United States Geological Survey (USGS), led successful proposal teams for projects in the nuclear and hydroelectric industries, and managed countless engineering written deliverables.

Mr. Pilj is a Navy veteran and accomplished operations leader with 39 years of experience. He contributes expert technical knowledge in project management, nuclear facility operations, hazardous waste management, and large-scale decontamination and demolition projects.

Mr. Wooddell is a technical writer with over 50 years of engineering experience. He provides codified licensing expertise in radiation, explosives, and transportation. Among other certifications, Mr. Wooddell is certified to train DOT Hazmat Trainers, is a recognized and accepted Radiation Safety Officer by the NRC and multiple state agencies, and is an Accepted Responsible Person by the ATF.

Ms. Dyer holds a bachelor's degree from The University of Tennessee and master's degree from Lincoln Memorial University. She is a publisher, writing coach, and marketing expert with 10+ years of experience in the industry. She is founder and CEO of Crippled Beagle Publishing, where her team helps people write, publish, and market books across a variety of genres. Ms. Dyer helps entrepreneurs and business leaders transform their expertise into published books that advance careers, attract clients, grow businesses, and build legacies.

Services

TECHNICAL WRITING AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT
We help engineering teams write and manage technical documents throughout every project phase, from grants and proposals to procedures and final reports. Backed by 70+ years in engineering, 60+ in project management, and 60+ in technical writing, our team delivers clear, accurate, and compliant documentation.COACHING AND SPEAKING
We train engineers to write and manage technical content through coaching programs, seminars, and short courses tailored to your team's needs.GHOSTWRITING AND PUBLISHING
We turn technical expertise into polished publications, offering ghostwriting and editing for articles and books. We partner with a hybrid publisher with over a decade of experience to provide complete end-to-end publishing capabilities.

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES

ENGINEERING SEISMOLOGY

  • Proposals and documentation for the Senior Seismic Hazard Analysis Committee (SSHAC) process

  • Nuclear Quality Assurance (NQA-1) program development and maintenance

  • Documentation related to probabilistic and deterministic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA/DSHA), risk analysis, seismic source characterization, ground-motion characterization, and strong-motion seismology

RAD SAFETY TRAINING

  • Employee Intro to Radiation

  • Radiation Worker (job specific)

  • Radiation Safety Officer (RSO)

  • Non-Routine Maintenance (device specific)

  • Refresher Radiation Training

DOT SAFETY TRAINING 49CFR 172 Subpart H

  • DOT (Radiation and Explosives) Hazmat Training

  • Initial Hire/General Awareness Training § 172.704(a)(1)

  • Function Specific DOT Hazmat Training § 172.704(a)(2)

  • Instructor Training

  • New Position (change of responsibilities) Training

  • Refresher Training

  • DOT Receipt and Disposal Record Retention

CLIENT PLANNING DOCUMENTATION

  • Radiation Safety Plans

  • Policy Procedures and Work Instructions (PPWI)

  • Operation Plans

  • Safety and Security Plans

  • Non-Routine Maintenance Plans and Associated Forms

  • Organization and Retention Plans

RADIATION LICENSE WRITING
Including, but not limited to, the below items:

  • Possessor Licensing

  • User Licensing

  • Distribution Licensing

  • Exempt Distribution Licensing

  • Sealed Source Device Registration (SSDR)

  • Employee Safety Plans

  • Operation Procedures

  • Maintenance Plans

RADIATION INTERNAL AUDITS AND INSPECTIONS
Annual third-party document and facilities audits, including:

  • Employee Training Records

  • Employee Exposure Records/Calculated Dose Ratings

  • Monthly, Quarterly, and Annual Reports

  • Inventory Reports (as required by licensing agencies)

  • Incident Reports (required within hours of an incident)

Contact

Have questions or want to learn more about how KF Consulting can help your team? Send us an email or schedule a free consultation. Let us show you how KF Consulting can ease your writing burdens and help your deliverables stand out from the competition.We look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you

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