Gretchen Turpen

Following graduation from Vanderbilt University in 1999 with a degree in civil engineering, Gretchen moved to Washington, D.C. to start her career as an engineer with the Department of State. While serving with the State Department, she worked for the Bureau of Diplomatic Security where she managed the physical security designs of U.S. Embassies and Consulates around the world. Gretchen has traveled to over 50 countries around the world supporting the design and construction of the Embassies/Consulates, including traveling to Iraq twice. In the fall of 2007, she moved back to Nashville where she is now a design manager for Actus Lend Lease. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, live music in Nashville, trying new restaurants, shopping, and spending time with her family.