Kaven is a senior principal, director of business development and a leader of HOK’s global Aviation + Transportation.

Based in St. Louis, Kaven has more than three decades of experience with airport terminal programming, planning, design and construction as well as planning heavy rail, light rail and commuter rail and people mover systems related to airport development.

Kaven is a pioneer and tireless advocate for bringing more diversity, equity and inclusion to the design and construction industry—and proving its value. The St. Louis Business Journal has honored him as one of the city’s “Most Influential Minority Business Leaders.” He also earned a Lifetime Achievement Award from MOKAN, a St. Louis advocacy group for minority- and women-owned construction businesses. He has also been awarded the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Legacy Award – ATLNEXT SOAR AWARD, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport’s top award for diversity and inclusion.

Kaven is a frequent speaker and panelist on issues related to minority participation in design and construction projects. He is a member of the diversity committees of both the Airports Council International-North America and the American Association of Airport Executives. He is on the nominating committee for the Airports Consultants Council, a board member for the Airport Minority Advocacy Commission and is past treasurer of the Airport Minority Advisory Council. He is a member of the St. Louis Minority Supplier Diversity Committee and past chair of the Missouri Minority Business Development Advocacy Commission under two governors. During his time on the chair, Kaven commissioned the first statewide disparity study.