K-W Construction, Inc.

Elaine Daigle Thomas, President, currently is our most long term employee. With the formation in 1982 of K-W Construction, Inc. and the subsequent move from Houston to San Marcos shortly thereafter she came to work for us. With Jane Kelley’s duties increasing it was time for Jim Kelley to have additional support in the office. As the business grew so did the team effort formed between the Kelley’s and Mrs. Thomas.

Wife of thirty years and mother of two grown children, Elaine and her husband Calvin Thomas have built their retirement home in the hills of northwest Hays County, a short drive from San Marcos. During the past twenty-two years she has built her life and retirement around K-W Construction. Seeing the comings and goings of a commercial construction business that went from $250,000 volume in the mid-eighties to over $20M in volume in 2005 has made her experience something that can’t be taught in the classroom. With almost 400 construction projects completed in twenty plus years, a more seasoned veteran of the commercial industry can’t be found.

Not immediately obvious in the background, she goes about her duties, knowing full well the impact of the personnel in the field and their contribution to the overall success of K-W. She manages all aspects of the office and oversees the financial dealings of the corporation. Duty assignments can range from party planning to technical proposal packages and everything in between. There has not been a check written for over twenty years that she did not oversee. Payroll, job-cost, insurance, bonding, bidding, contracts, subcontracts, purchase orders, change orders, payments, receipts, loans, office supplies, lease property, equipment purchases, qualification statements, marketing, human resources, audits, her hats are many. Her duties are all encompassing, her loyalty the same.

Many subcontractors and clients over the years have had little opportunity to meet or deal with her, but her impact is noticed by all. For a true team member with years of experience behind, there is many more years in her future.

The heart and soul of K-W Construction relies on its personnel in the field and their experience and ability to produce a successful project on time and in budget, but many of them are used to having Mrs. Thomas available to them in the office for support, paperwork and knowledgeable experience. A better contribution to each project cannot be made.

Ernesto B. Gonzalez, Vice-President has been an important asset to K-W Construction every since he went to work for us almost thirty years ago.  With determination to master the culture, language and the construction world he has met every challenge head on.

 With his education background in Escobedo, N.L., Mexico and his construction background honed in the heart of central Texas, Ernesto’s skills cannot be matched on a jobsite.  He brings a professional level of care and attention to detail into each of his projects.  As a vote of confidence in his abilities, he was chosen as the project superintendent to construct K-W’s 28,500 SF tilt-wall office headquarters/warehouse/tenant space located in San Marcos, Texas  bordering the IH 35 corridor.  This project was completed and ready for move-in within six months of ground breaking.

Listed are just a few of the numerous successful projects that have been Ernesto’s responsibility:

 Bondesen North Distribution Center, Houston, TX: Five units-new const. 215,190 SF, $6M

TXDOT Camp Hubbard Bldg 6 Renovation 3rd/4th Floors, Austin, TX : 40,000 SF

U.S. Post Office New Carrier Annex Facility, San Marcos, TX: new const. 11,500 SF, >$2M

JAS Office Expansion, Houston, TX:  Interior Renovation

Chartwells Educational Dining Services:  renovation projects totaling $20M          

Pleasanton Express Energy Services, LP: oilfield production office 25,000 SF

A wife, eight children and a beautiful home on the outskirts of San Marcos have formed a stable base for Mr. Gonzalez.  Successful, not only in his personal life and family, but also as our most experienced project superintendent.

 Ernesto’s ability to confidently manage each and every construction project he is handed is a testament to his natural ability and eye for the finished project that reflects the owners’ best interest as well as K-W’s.  K-W Construction is proud to have his name at the top of our list of fine superintendents.

James H. Kelley heads up the K-W Construction organization along with his wife, Jane.  In 1965 he earned his Associates Degree of Applied Science in Architectural Design and Technology at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas. He then spent four years serving in the United States Air Force as a Missile Guidance & Control Specialist. His Vietnam service spanned from 1967 through 1968.

Beginning his long career he started working with Burnett Construction as a field engineer and assistant superintendent in 1970, he quickly moved on to Manhattan Construction as a project Manager. In 1975 he joined E.B. Roberts Construction and remained with their organization till the formation of his first partnership, Sea Turtle, Inc. Sea Turtle provided offshore quarters and structures for the oil industry out of the Houston area. His success in that partnership allowed him and his wife to form K-W in June of 1982.

Relocating his wife and three children to San Marcos in 1982 he built a stable foundation for their home and the employees of K-W Construction. Besides the day to day operations of running a business that does over $20 million a year in trade, he has time to immerse himself in civic and construction related organizations. As past-president of the Austin Chapter, Associated General Contractors of America, he also belongs to the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce. Texas State University in San Marcos, benefits from K-W’s membership in the Bobcat Club and support of the Student Chapter of AGC as well as a scholarship fund for construction technology students.

With receipt of numerous awards from both the military and the Associated General Contractors of America, K-W has proven itself to be a true reflection of the integrity and professionalism Mr. Kelley possessed when he began K-W, over thirty years ago.

Charles “Bubba” Wittkohl is a product of K-W’s commitment to close knit ties, making for a family atmosphere. Bubba began working for K-W in 1992 as a carpenter/foreman building the Blanco High School. His dedication to his craft, as well as his work ethics, easily led into his present position as one of our most experienced project superintendents. He has continually proven his worth by completing one successful project after another.

One of Bubba’s most celebrated successes was the completion of the Hangar 42 Renovation project at the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas. This hangar, at over 110,000 SF, was completely refurbished in little over one year. Coming in under budget and under time, this project lead the way for the coveted United States Navy Certificate of Commendation. As the highest naval award for a civilian contractor, K-W proudly acknowledges that Mr. Wittkohl’s dedication to his profession was the single most contributing factor in the receipt of this award. Just a few other outstanding examples of Mr. Wittkohl’s talents are:

CCNAS BOQ Bldg. #1281, Corpus Christi, TX 4 year renovation project; 185,000 SF, budget >$17M

Beltway Crossing Bldg 6 Shell Building, Houston, TX : 128,000 SF, budget >$3M

USPS Southwest FSO- Buda Main Post Office, Buda, TX: 8,520 SF, budget >$1M

CCNAS T-6 Phase I, Package 2 Facilities Recapitalization, Corpus Christi, TX Renovation project to Hangar 51, budget >$6M

CCNAS T-6 Phase II, Package 2 Facilities Recapitalization, Corpus Christi, TX Repair/modernize two WWII era hangars/modular fac., budget >$7M

When he does return home it is to Blanco and his wife Debbie. He enjoys what little time he takes off with hunting and fishing. A true outdoorsman, his dedication and skills there enhance and round out the construction team K-W has assembled over the years.

With many years experience, whether working at a military installation, government entity or owner/client, Bubba will continue to provide excellent supervision on all of K-W’s projects.

Hugo Tovar joined our K-W Construction team in 2011.  He has spent the bulk of his professional career in Monterrey, Mexico; where his projects expanded the portfolio of foreign clients; generally in the commercial and industrial area.  He brings several key skills that include project management methodology and a background in architecture, not to mention his bilingual skills.  He has many long-term goals; such as the PMP certification and becoming a registered Architect in the state of Texas.

He immediately put his leadership skills to work on our renovation of a Hangar at the Corpus Christi NAS.  Hugo has been an invaluable asset on this project and along with the project manager has garnered many accolades from the Navy.

As a project manager in Monterrey, Mexico he was responsible for the following successful projects:

Kraft Foods Mexico, at Monterrey, Mexico 170,000 SF

El Paseo Reynosa Mall: with anchor store Woolworth

Honeywell at Chihuahua, Chihuahua: Industrial building 200,000 SF

Technocast at Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila: Industrial building 587,000 SF

MaryKay Distribution Center and Head Quarters at Monterrey, Mexico

Kaydon, Industrial Park KALOS Gpe. at Guadalupe, Mexico: 178,000 SF

Afrime Bank Data Center, San Nicolas de los Garza, NL: 25,000 SF

Monterrey V for the city of Monterrey Water & Sewer Utility Service (SADM)

Hugo and his wife Connie moved to San Marcos in 2010 with their two lovely children to start a new chapter in their life.  This opportunity came when Connie was invited to teach in a new bilingual program at SMCISD.  They look forward to calling San Marcos their home and in becoming active members of the community.

We are proud to include this talented young man as one of our staff members.  K-W Construction looks forward to putting his skills to work to promote the quality product that we are known for.

James (Troy) Knoll, is one of K-W’s most colorful project superintendents. He truly epitomizes the “Texas” embodiment; he is larger than life in talent and possesses that uniquely Texas open and friendly personality. Originally hired as a carpenter, his organizational skills were rapidly uncovered. Within eight years he became a seasoned veteran in the construction world and progressed through the ranks to one of our top superintendents.

Whatever the project, from renovations for military installations or large universities to design/build projects for office complexes Mr. Knoll is a constant in K-W’s formula of owner satisfaction. He can immediately walk in, access the needs of the project, take over and produce a product to everyone’s satisfaction. Since Troy is a long term employee with K-W Construction we have listed only a few of his most recent projects:

Freeport 90 Business Park, Stafford, TX: Five Building Complex, steel/concrete office warehouse, >$12M

Parker Hannifin Shell Building, Stafford, TX: 60,000 SF, >$2M

USPS-N. Houston P & DC FSS Upgrade, Houston, TX: Renovations to several facility areas accomplished to an active facility

Kendrick Plaza Service Center, Houston, TX: Shell Building Lease Space-New Tenant, >$2M

World Houston 32 Shell Building, Houston, TX: 96,900 SF, >$4M

Atlas Copco Tenant Improvement, Houston, TX: Renovations for new tenant requirements

Gulfport Q4/BQ Design Build, Pascagoula, MS: Restore/modernize bachelor quarters on Naval base, .$23M

Born and raised in Blanco County, Texas, Troy continues to call Blanco home, but K-W Construction believes Troy finds a home at whatever location his next project is located in. With his children grown, he and his wife, Jodi are able to travel extensively for K-W. His family is our clients and his home is on the road. This is a testament to his ability to adapt and bring a finished project in on time and to the owner’s satisfaction.

Mason Hornberger, Senior Project Manager is a core member of our project management team.  Mason brings with him a family tradition in the commercial construction industry.  He began his career as a project manager with Texas Department of Transportation Construction Division in Austin, Texas.  Within five years he became one of their fastest advancing project managers.

Now as a seasoned member directing many design build and interior renovation projects for K-W Construction, he brings a fresh and innovative attitude.  Mason has been instrumental in forming and maintaining a solid level of trust with each one of his project owners, subcontractors and suppliers.

As the Senior Project Manager with K-W Construction he has been responsible for the following design build and renovation projects covering several states:

Chartwells Educational Dining Services: projects totaling $20 M

Express Energy Services, Pleasanton, Tx.: oilfield production office 25,000 SF

CCNAS Hangar 51: renovation of Navy Hangar/office space 50,000 SF

World Houston 31B: Office, warehouse tilt wall building 36,000 SF

World Houston 31A/Aggreko Houston office: shell building 43,500 SF along with office finish out 12,500 SF

Town Center Infrastructure: 2.1 miles utilities/roadways for business park development

Telenetwork Corporate Office: Office/telecom work stations 12,000 SF

35 Oaks Building II/K-W Construction Corporate Office: Tilt-wall with Office/Flex Space 30,000 SF 

Mason, along with his wife Stacy and their young family are life-long residents of Lockhart, Texas.  This makes for a steady home-base for this busy young man.  Mason’s dedication and versatility compliment the high standard required on all these projects.   With such talent on our project manager team, quality and client satisfaction with continue to be K-W Construction’s benchmark.

Robert “Bobby” Bischak is the newest member of the K-W family and brings with him an energy that meshes well with the K-W Construction family atmosphere. Bobby is a skilled Master Electrician and Project Superintendent, with over 30 years of experience under his belt. His enthusiasm, attention to detail, and knowledge presented in his projects with K-W has proven valuable.
Bobby has an array of construction experience including; ground-up, tilt-wall, tenant finish-out, gas stations, convenience stores, restaurants and clubs, public facilities, shopping centers, and retail developments. Currently, he is working at TXDOT in San Antonio on an HVAC Upgrade to all buildings on its campus. Bobby’s experience and attention to detail has kept this project running ahead of schedule. Listed below are just a few of the numerous successful projects that have been Bobby’s responsibility prior to employment with K-W Construction:

Exxon Eisenhower & 35 San Antonio, TX 2M

Exxon O’Connor & 35 San Antonio, TX 1.5M

Exxon Cedar Park, TX 2.5M

Valero 41 & Hwy16 San Antonio, TX 2M

Valero 1604 & Potranco Rd. San Antonio, TX 1.5M

Valero Fredericksburg Rd. San Antonio, TX 2M

Valero Kennedy, TX 1.8M

Valero Tilden, TX 1.2M

Valero Phoenix, AZ 2M

Timewise Blanco Rd. San Antonio, TX 1.1M

Star Stop Cameron Rd. Austin, TX 2.1M

Star Stop Ben White Austin, TX 2M

Timewise Pflugerville, TX 6M

Timewise Round Rock, TX 2.4M

Maxey Kerrville, TX 1M

Woody’s Round Rock, TX 1.2M

Bandera Point Shopping Center San Antonio, TX 1M

Our Lady of the Cedars Church Houston, TX 3M

Blanco Pointe Bldg. 3 San Antonio, TX 1.2M

During Bobby’s extensive experience prior to joining K-W Construction, he oversaw fuel piping, fuel canopy, tank setting, and dispenser installation for more than 100 sites. As you can see in some of the projects listed above, these sites included Exxon, Shell, Valero and Chevron for Timewise locations, Star Stop, Stripes, 7-11, and CST as well as several independents. As an electrical contractor lead, Bobby completed more than 300 convenience store ground up and remodels.
Bobby resides in Portland, TX with his wife Betty. When Bobby is home, he enjoys going fishing and working on his old vehicles.

A more competent knowledgeable asset to the commercial construction business of K-W Construction, Inc. is not staffed with us. As spouse to the President of the corporation, Jane has been involved with the day-to-day operations of K-W Construction, since its early beginnings in 1982. First as the only other employee besides her husband, James H. Kelley, actively managing the office paperwork, bookkeeping duties, phone calls and subcontractors and owner’s paperwork. As well as payroll and all the accounting duties, she found little time for the other duties that all of her titles called upon.

As K-W Construction, Inc. flourished in the late 1980’s, additional staff was brought aboard to lighten her daily duties. Eventually allowing her to manage the upper tier skills called upon a corporate secretary/treasurer to manage. Jane has carefully balanced her duties to K-W, while ever maintaining the corporate goals that she and Jim had envisioned from the beginning.

Moving their three children here with them in the early eighties allowed for a small town upbringing and the chance to build a home for themselves and their children in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. While an office staff tends to the more tedious of Jane’s original duties, she is always available to step in and assist with items she has handled off and on over the years.

As K-W Construction completed over $20M in projects for the fiscal year ending 2005, Jane’s primary duties consisted of trouble shooting for the more exacting problems faced on a daily basis for a corporate contractor. Military projects, commercial clients, government entities and private/public schools and universities provide for a multitude of activities that only her expertise can answer. Employees, subcontractors, suppliers, and vendors as well as owners have come to rely upon her insightful input and common sense approach to a tremendous amount of problems.

From day one, through the present and on into the future, Jane Kelley brings much construction experience to the office. Her experience and years of dedication are part of the success ‘behind the scenes’ for K-W and its employees.