Barbara J. Kniff McCulla is a trailblazing entrepreneur, respected public servant, and dynamic community leader. As the owner and CEO of KLK Construction in Pella, Iowa, Barb has transformed a regional utility construction company into an industry leader in telecommunications infrastructure across a seven-state region in the North Central U.S. Known for excellence in cable placement and service, KLK has continued to grow under Barb's leadership despite major industry downturns-an achievement rooted in her strategic vision, employee-first culture, and unwavering perseverance.

Barb assumed leadership of KLK in 1995 following the sudden passing of her husband and company founder, Kevin Kniff. With no prior experience in the male-dominated utility construction industry, Barb stepped in just one week after his passing-motivated by her commitment to the team, the company's legacy, and a belief that new challenges are opportunities for growth. Since then, she has guided KLK through expansion, acquisition, and innovation in fiber optics and renewable energy projects, while maintain strong customer relationships and employee retention.

Within the business field, Barb was elected to a position on the Board of Directors for the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) in Washington DC. She had previously been Chairman of the Leadership Council of the Iowa Chapter of NFIB and continues her leadership role in this Iowa Chapter. In addition, she also sat on the Board of Directors for Midwest One Financial group - a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange.

Beyond business, barb is a force for good across multiple sectors. In 2022, she was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives (District 37), winning both the primary and general elations by wide margins. She also serves on numerous state and national boards, including the National Women's Business Council and the Iowa Telecommunications and Technology Commission.