As the Director of Construction for BMC Investments, Ken Leeds is Shaping our City- One Building at a Time
PHOTOGRAPHED BY ESTHER LEE LEACH
WRITTEN BY ANNIE BLOJ // CULTURE & STYLE EDITOR
With all the new buildings going up in Cherry Creek, we were excited to speak to the man behind many of these new projects, Ken Leeds. Director of Construction for BMC, Ken is literally changing the skyline and creating many of the environments that we find ourselves in daily. With an eye for purposeful construction and leadership, he is at the forefront of change here in Denver through the buildings that he has constructed with his team.
Annie Bloj: Ken, you were born in New York and raised in Reno, Nevada. Can you share some of your formative experiences growing up and how they might have brought you to the career of construction?
Ken Leeds: Yes, I was born in New York City and raised in Reno. I went through my lower education in Reno and attended Boise State College on a football scholarship. However, like many Collegiate athletes with the hope of going professional, my future in sports was cut short with injuries. I had to have my knee and ankle operated on numerous times. I think the biggest takeaway of my youth and sports was the lessons of teamwork and perseverance. These tools have greatly influenced my adult life and career and have given me a “can-do attitude”.
AB: Have you always enjoyed building structures? How did you get started in construction?
KL: Being a physical person, I started down the path of working in the building trades. First as a laborer and then in the concrete business, eventually owning my own concrete finishing company. It was a natural move for me to start building the entire structure. At this point, I was working for a General Contractor. Throughout my career, I have built airports, hospitals, schools, office buildings, county & municipal buildings, correctional facilities, multifamily, mixed-use, and residential luxury dwellings. These projects have brought me to my current position of Director of Construction for BMC. In this role, I have constructed several different types of building products in Cherry Creek and other locations.
AB: As the Director of Construction, you manage a broad range of projects and talent. What is your approach to management, how do you keep your team moving forward in an often challenging environment?
KL: One of the greatest things about being in the building industry is that you create something physical that will be there for many years. Whether you are the creator of the vision (owner), designer (architect, consultants), managing the construction (general contractor, subcontractor), or the one who is physically building the project we can all say, “I BUILT THAT”, and we do. It is a real sense of accomplishment that never leaves you. That being said, I have acquired a few management tools that have assisted me along the way, especially in the last few years when we have lived through these unprecedented times. One of the most important rules I use and live by is the modality of “Why? -Because it’s the right thing to do.” It doesn’t mean that you always can or do the right thing, but when you start with that in mind it usually works out, and you have never to have regrets or have to look over your shoulder. Secondly, it is important to also put the “Why” into a building. It’s not just an office building, it is a building that is aesthetically pleasing and creates an atmosphere and environment where people can feel good about working and conducting their business, thus enabling them to thrive. In Cherry Creek we have created buildings where people can gather and feel great with friends, family, eating, drinking, and exercising. Having the “Why” in mind creates a much better working atmosphere with purpose and meaning.
AB: In your forty-plus-year career, what still impresses you about construction?
KL: In my 40 plus years in the building industry, what continues to amaze me is the immense and seamless collaboration that must exist between a large group of stakeholders to get to the result of a beautiful, aesthetically pleasing, functional, sound, safe, and environmentally friendly building.
AB: What do you love most about living in Colorado, what do you like to do in your downtime to keep you energized?
KL: Colorado is one of the most beautiful places on the earth. I have backpacked every corner of Colorado and enjoy the outdoors. I also like to cook; there is nothing better than chilling and grilling with friends and family to recharge.
AB: Ken, thank you so much for speaking with us and sharing your story. We can’t wait to see how your current and future projects unfold. It’s exciting to find out how you view your role in shaping the architectural footprint of Cherry Creek and Denver.