Every year, KBD Group employees get involved in different charity organizations across the United States.
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Employee Spotlight: John Evans
“I always liked building and putting things together” – John Evans
John Evans
With over 30 years of construction experience, KBD Group is fortunate to have John Evans as a member of our team. He began his career with KBD Group in November 1993. As Regional Manager at our Chicago office, Mr. Evans is responsible for handling all major aspects of the project. His day-to-day tasks include supervising project activities from design development through pre-construction services to construction, and closeout of the project. Mr. Evans is vital to upholding our mission by serving as the direct liaison between KBD Group and the Owner.
INTERVIEW WITH JOHN:
Q: Why did you choose your profession?
A: I always liked building and putting things together (I think my first building project involved Lincoln logs). I was told I was good at math and should choose engineering or accounting as a field of study. I studied drafting in high school and decided to study architecture in college. But upon starting my studies, I quickly realized my preference to build the project rather than design it. Fortunately, the school I was attending featured, at the time, the #1 ranked Construction Engineering (ConE) curriculum in the country. So it was an easy decision to switch from architecture to ConE. With that switch, I never looked back.
Q: What do you like most about KBD Group?
A: KBD Group’s commitment to providing a quality product and service to our clients at a fair price, and willingness to stand behind our completed projects, and flexibility they allow to use to accomplish this objective.
What is your proudest moment at KBD Group?
A: KBD Group is currently starting a project for a charitable organization called Feed My Starving Children (FMSC). FMSC goal is to help address world hunger, particularly focused on children in third world countries. I personally volunteer at the local location, and KBD Group approved our effort to pursue their new facility at a fee structure well below our normally acceptable fee. KBD Group was selected to construct both the shell building and then the required interior improvements. Every dollar that we help save FSCM goes directly to helping children. Having the support of KBD Group’s Senior Management, to reduce our costs and develop a strong plan for FMSC, makes me extremely proud to be employed by a firm that recognizes we are here to accomplish more than just make a profit, but also to make people’s lives better.
Q: What do you like most about KBD Group?
A: I’ve always felt I have been a respected member of the Kajima family. Not all of the endeavors we have been through are book worthy, but KBD Group has always stood with me and we finished what we started, no matter how hard it may have seemed at the time.
Q: What do you find the most challenging at KBD Group?
A: Filling out a timesheet (half joking). Allocating appropriate time to complete various tasks that come across my desk daily, from completing estimates/proposals, pursuing opportunities, or managing projects and staff.
Q: What advice would you give to recent new hires?
A: Ask questions, learn, and absorb as much as you can. There are plenty of fellow staff members that can teach you something you don’t already know and are willing to share their knowledge and experiences. Always be willing to learn and assist. The opportunities are there to grow and improve. KBD Group will always support you so never quit learning.
Q: What’s something we may not know about you outside work?
A: I am an over the top fan of Iowa State athletics. Given our lack of success on the field, I must be part insane or part delusional. I will leave it up to you to decide which.
John Evans, Vice President/Business Unit Leader, Warehouse Distribution North
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Employee Spotlight – Randy Rose
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
RANDY ROSE
“I am a builder, always have been.” – Randy Rose
At KBD Group, we recognize that having great employees helps us build great projects for our target markets, and we proudly celebrate selected employees during the release of each KBD newsletter. In this edition, we want to shine our spotlight on Senior Project Manager, Randy Rose, who specializes in managing manufacturing projects.
At KBD Group, we recognize that having great employees helps us build great projects for our target markets, and we proudly celebrate selected employees during the release of each KBD newsletter. In this edition, we want to shine our spotlight on Senior Project Manager, Randy Rose, who specializes in managing manufacturing projects.
INTERVIEW WITH RANDY
Q: What is your job and responsibilities?
A: I am and have always been a Senior Project Manager at Kajima. My duties over the years have included first contact sales efforts, estimating support, design support, and job cost accounting. I have worked projects from the initial client contact to the final turn over. My duties include working with the design team through development, working with local and state officials for permitting, working with utility companies, selection of subcontractors, penning and finalizing contracts and subcontracts. I take the responsibility of fostering good relationships with the local community and having the great opportunity of being a mentor to our younger team members to promote our industry and company goals and values.
Q: What is your job and responsibilities?
A: The greater extent of my experience has been in the manufacturing area with my early years in the printing industry. Later on, I was in auto plants, steel mills, and other manufacturing facilities to include film and laminating manufacturing, food and beverage, wire manufacturing, tire plants, and aircraft manufacturing. I have constructed glass plants, both fiber and plate, and have been involved in munitions and military facilities as well. I have worked mostly in the private corporate sector, but have had some experience in the government sector.
Q: Why did you choose this profession?
A: My father was in this business, and since he has always been my idol in my life, it was just a natural selection for me. I have never had second thoughts of my career choice.
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Process Design and Construction
KBD Group consistently delivers functional, cost effective and flexible solutions for our clients and industry partners. KBD Group’s process design team provides Owners with a space strategy that supports present and future plans.
KURA-Sushi
Featured article
KuRa Sushi, Revolving Sushi Bar
KBD Group is proud to share the opening of Kura Revolving Sushi bar, located in Doraville, Georgia, this July, 2017. The popular and expanding Kura Sushi, with over 400 locations throughout Japan, the United States, and Taiwan, offers Sushi prepared with only ORGANIC products and NO MSG for health-conscious consumers.
About Kura Sushi
Kura Sushi offers a unique dining experience in that the sushi and platters are served using a rotating conveyor belt, as is customary practice in many sushi restaurants in Japan. At Kura Sushi, patrons may choose items directly off the rotating conveyor belt or place specific orders of sushi, tempura, and more using a touch screen, which is then sent directly via a separate belt to the customer’s table.
Due to KBD’s excellent project management and skilled professionals, the Kura Sushi Rotating Sushi Bar in Doraville was completed TWO weeks ahead of schedule for an exciting Summer 2017 Grand Opening. Also contributing to the success of the project was the superior international experience of the KBD Group which empowered the KBD Team to excel from design to construction, and in turn, enabled Kura Sushi to save time, resources, and energy. Kura Sushi is very pleased with KBD Group’s services and with the completed facility, and with the early opening of Kura Sushi in the Atlanta Suburb, Kura Sushi connoisseurs are extremely pleased as well.
