Department of Defense Office Names KBE Building Corp. "Outstanding Employer"
Firm honored for participation in Operation Hire: Maryland's 100 Day Veteran Hiring Challenge
COLUMBIA, Md., September 17, 2014 (Newswire.com) - Local military veterans are enjoying a more open and supportive hiring environment thanks in part to KBE Building Corporation. The firm recently participated in Operation Hire: Maryland’s 100 Day Veteran Hiring Challenge, an initiative of the Maryland Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (MDESGR).
Operation Hire challenged employers and federal, state, and county agencies to increase their recruitment efforts among members of the Guard and Reserve for 100 days starting on June 1, 2014. In recognition of KBE’s participation, the ESGR recently listed the firm as an “Outstanding Employer” on its website.
"As a commercial construction management firm, we're in the knowledge business - and we've benefited immeasurably from the knowledge contributed by military veterans on our staff. We not only support the hiring of military veterans on principle, but also because we've experienced the benefits firsthand."
Mike Kolakowski, KBE principal owner and CEO
“You joined a patriotic group of American employers who willingly share our greatest national resource – the men and women who voluntarily and devotedly serve our nation in our Armed Forces,” said MDESGR Committee State Chair Jean M. Hulet in a letter to KBE. “We are as proud of you as we are of them.”
KBE displays its signed ESGR Statement of Support certificate in its Mid-Atlantic regional office, in solidarity with thousands of employers nationwide that have also committed to supporting the men and women who serve in the Guard and the Reserve.
“As a commercial construction management firm, we’re in the knowledge business – and we’ve benefited immeasurably from the knowledge contributed by military veterans on our staff,” said KBE principal owner and CEO Mike Kolakowski. “We not only support the hiring of military veterans on principle, but also because we’ve experienced the benefits firsthand.”
KBE also supports the Armed Forces with its construction efforts; the firm recently completed the $27-million Annapolis Joint Commissary and Navy Exchange project, one of its three recent projects with the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA). Other current projects stand to benefit military veterans tangentially.
“KBE is managing the expansion of BWI’s Concourse E, which handles many honor flights,” said Kenneth Russo, KBE’s Director of Preconstruction and one of several military veterans on staff. “We’re proud that our work there will contribute to a more enjoyable arrival and departure process for veterans visiting the area.”
The BWI concourse expansion, expected to be completed in spring 2015, is a $7 million project encompassing a 16,000-square-foot, 3-story addition at the end of International Pier.
Military veterans are also one of the primary beneficiaries of KBE’s corporate philanthropic program, 50 Ways to Make A Difference. Established in 2009 to celebrate the firm’s new ownership, name change, and 50 years in business, 50 Ways has helped KBE associates donate more than $1.2 million and 5,000 volunteer hours to charitable causes benefiting military veterans, children, and seniors in Maryland and Connecticut.
As part of 50 Ways – and in honor of veteran Kenneth Russo – KBE created a $25,000 endowment for active and honorably discharged military veterans enrolled in Central Connecticut State University’s (CCSU) Construction Management program.
A high-resolution photograph of Kenneth Russo is available here:
http://impactmarketing.net/press/KBE-Ken-Russo.jpg
About KBE Building Corporation
Regionally located in Farmington, Conn., and Columbia, Md., KBE Building Corporation is a full-service, single-source commercial construction company strategically positioned to serve the Eastern and Mid-Atlantic U.S. Founded in 1959 and incorporated in 1966, the firm is celebrating its 55th year providing preconstruction, construction management, design-build, and general contracting services to clients in the educational, senior living, federal, corporate, hospitality, health care, institutional, and retail markets. KBE has managed more than $2.5 billion in construction volume over the last decade and is ranked among Engineering News-Record magazine's top 400 construction companies nationally.
Media Contact: Jonelle Lawhorn | KBE Director of Marketing
t: 860.284.7431| c: 860.836.7517 | f: 860.284.7831 | e: jlawhorn@kbebuilding.com
