Keane Steele is the Founder and Principal of The Bastion Group, where he leads the firm’s vision and strategy while remaining deeply involved in structural engineering and construction project delivery. With over 15 years of experience in construction and design, Keane brings technical excellence, leadership, and a passion for resilient infrastructure to every project. His expertise spans steel, concrete, and wood structures across commercial, industrial, and public safety sectors.
Keane holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from The Citadel and a Master’s in Structural Engineering from Virginia Tech. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in ten states, including South Carolina, Florida, Texas, and California.
Recognized as South Carolina’s Young Engineer of the Year in 2018, Keane has served on the Executive Board of the ASCE Eastern Branch and is a former branch president. His leadership reflects a commitment to both technical rigor and community impact.
A native of the Carolinas, Keane balances his professional life with time spent outdoors and with family, often enjoying the state’s coastal and rural landscapes.
Conner Jewell, is the Director of Engineering at The Bastion Group, where he oversees the firm’s engineering operations with a focus on efficient, code-compliant, and value-driven solutions. He brings a wealth of experience in the design of structural steel, reinforced concrete, timber framing systems, and complex foundation structures across commercial, industrial, and public safety sectors.
Conner is highly experienced in designing for demanding environmental conditions, including high seismic and wind load zones, ensuring resilient structures that perform under pressure. His project approach is defined by technical rigor, constructability awareness, and close collaboration with architects, contractors, and owners.
A South Carolina native, Conner holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from The Citadel and a Master of Engineering from Clemson University, with a specialization in structural engineering. His academic foundation and real-world expertise enable him to balance creativity with precision on every project.
When he’s not in the office or on site, Conner enjoys being outdoors with his family, hunting and fishing throughout the Lowcountry.
Ed Kirsch serves as the Director of Construction at The Bastion Group, overseeing all construction activities and managing project personnel. With over a decade of experience, Ed brings deep expertise in design-build delivery across commercial, federal, and municipal sectors.
Originally from Illinois, Ed relocated to the Charleston area with his family in 2017. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and three children and is a passionate automotive enthusiast.
