Bartlett & West’s CEO retiring after 38 years with the company

Topeka, Kan. – Keith Warta, chief executive officer (CEO) of Bartlett & West, announced his planned retirement. He will transition out of the role of CEO in June 2022 but will remain as the Chairman of Bartlett & West’s Board of Directors.

A pillar of the company and community, Warta began his career with Bartlett & West in 1984 in the company’s Topeka, Kan., office as a project engineer. During the decades, he helped the company grow from around 35 employees to an employee-owned firm of more than 350 with offices spread throughout the Midwest.

As someone who values service to others, Warta is Chair-elect on the Board of Directors for the Topeka Community Foundation, is a co-Chair for the community strategy - Momentum 2022, is a 2009 graduate of Leadership Kansas, is Chair’s Council past Chair for the Greater Topeka Partnership and is a passionate supporter of Kansas State University.

Warta will be succeeded as Bartlett & West’s CEO by Joe Caldwell, whose 29-year career with the company started as a project engineer and most recently including acting in the roles of market leader and marketing director. “This transition for Bartlett & West is made much easier thanks to Keith’s many years of visionary leadership,” said Caldwell. 

Bartlett & West, founded in 1951, has 19 offices in seven states. The firm provides engineering, technology, construction solutions and other professional services to a wide range of clients. Bartlett & West serves local and regional municipalities, DOTs, water districts, rail companies, land developers, architects, private industry and other clients.