Karen Dunegan: Karen has been involved in the manufacturing industry for over 33 years with over 31 years of foundry experience.  She is a native of South East Tennessee and has spent most of her life in Chattanooga.

Karen was influenced to go into manufacturing from her father who was a Ceramic Research Engineer with 3M.  After receiving an Associates’ Degree in Chemistry from Chattanooga State in 1982, she went to work for DM Steward Manufacturing Company as a Quality Lab Technician until returning to Concordia College in 1983 to finish her Bachelor’s degree. Where she double majored in Chemistry and Math.   After Graduation, Karen worked in St. Paul Minnesota at the St. Paul Municipal Waste Water Treatment Plant until returning to Chattanooga in 1986.

Upon her return to the Chattanooga area Karen began consulting with local Chattanooga Manufacturing Companies in Environmental and Safety Compliance. These companies included Velsicol Chemical Co., Jack Daniels, DM Steward, Brock Candy, IPC Denison, Brandt Industries, and Eureka Foundry, etc., She also helped write, develop and sell one of the first software programs to manage information for the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act. 

In 1991, Karen joined Eureka Foundry as an Environmental/Health and Safety Manager. She also joined the American Foundry Society that same year.  Karen served on Tennessee’s AFS Environmental and Safety Sub Committee from 1993-1998 and helped with the creation of the Tennessee Beneficial Use Foundry Sand Policy. 

In 2003 Karen joined the AFS TN Chapter Board of Directors serving as Treasurer for 18 years (2003-2022).  She is currently still active in the AFS TN Chapter.   

Karen also enjoys spending time in nature, fishing and traveling whenever possible.