I still remember the day Keller told me he was creating KWA Construction. I was working in Oklahoma, talking to Keller each week about how his new startup was doing. I was excited for him, but most of all, I was proud of his courage to bring a dream to life. While I hadn’t planned on working for my dad when I started out on my own, I tell people that for me, KWA is kind of like what they say about Texas – I wasn’t born here, but I got here as quickly as I could.

These first ten years have not only been about building the right business partnerships and producing first-class multifamily construction projects, but they’ve also been filled with defining our brand, understanding “who is KWA,” and establishing a shared vision for years to come.

Sitting in meetings where we have defined the values by which we’ll run our organization, established our brand commitment to “deliver the highest value at the right cost,” improved our internal and external processes, etc., I too have come to share Keller’s unwavering commitment to build a 100-year company. And I think we are certainly off to a great start.

I know I am not the only one that thinks so highly of Keller. I reached out to some of our employees, and here are a few things they shared with me:

“Keller’s success and legacy come from his history of being an honest person and working fairly with all parties. He is also, at the same time, very loyal to those that have worked similarly with him.”
– Dennis Downey, Sr. Project Manager

“Keller is a hands-on leader. He always tells us, ‘The hardest problem for me to help you resolve is the one I don’t know you have.’ It’s great to know we always have his support.”
– George Richmond, Project Superintendent

“At KWA, there is a feeling that every person and every position is important and vital to KWA’s success. Keller makes his employees feel like part of a family, not just a company, and that makes it very easy to believe in Keller’s leadership.”
– Cindy Spears, Project Administrator

In KWA Construction’s first ten years, Keller has received several industry honors as well. Keller served as President of the Dallas Builders Association and continues to serve there on multiple committees, as well as being an Honored Life Director. The Texas Association of Builders named Keller as the Multifamily Builder of the Year in 2004. He was selected as a Finalist in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2009. And in 2010, Keller received the Hugh Prather Award, the most prestigious individual award given in the Dallas Builders Association, recognizing individuals who have contributed the most to the betterment of the Greater Dallas Region.

Thank you, Keller, for your courage and dedication in creating an organization that endeavors to be the best multifamily general contractor while keeping integrity at the forefront of its business practices. Thank you for believing in the abilities of our employees and for supporting us in our own quests to build careers rooted in honesty and integrity. I believe I speak for many of us when I say that I am proud to be a part of this company and honored to have the opportunity to help bring your KWA vision to life.

Congratulations, not just to Keller but to ALL of the KWA employees who have helped us get to where we are today, celebrating our first big milestone! Our goal is for KWA to become a 100 year old company… So here’s to the next 90 years.