Some of the best professional advice Chris Kirch ever received came early in his career as a newly minted intern at Kitchell. His lead superintendent advised: “Be a sponge.”
“I’ve had a lot of great managers along the way,” Kirch shares. “At that young age, I wasn’t immediately clear what he meant by ‘Be a sponge,’ but I soon learned and this remains some of the best guidance I’ve received as a worker and as a leader. I’ve endeavored to soak up every experience at every stage of my journey.”
Since that sage direction nearly three decades ago, Kirch has risen from intern up through the ranks to become president of Kitchell Contractors. And that journey has shaped how he leads today. Having held so many roles along the way gives him the perspective needed to understand varied roles and responsibilities, the challenges associated and how those parts contribute to the whole process.
“As a leader, I think it’s invaluable to understand that you don’t know everything,” he adds. “Smart leaders surround themselves with smart people. Subject matter experts will help you make informed decisions more quickly and effectively.”
When Kirch was presented with the opportunity to open a new market for Kitchell in Houston, he jumped at the chance. With no Kitchell presence in Houston, Kirch took on the task of building the company from the ground up. This was in 2016, as he was transitioning from senior project manager to operations manager. Building something from scratch was an invaluable learning experience that tested his leadership in new ways. That experience, paired with his leadership philosophy, propelled Kirch into his role as president of Kitchell Contractors.
As Kirch advanced in his career, one of his biggest challenges was learning to let go and delegate more responsibility.
“Especially as an executive, you have to get comfortable managing and letting your team lead. The construction world is very operationally oriented, so this can be especially challenging for those in our industry. You’re so used to completing tasks and putting out fires, then one day you learn to let go of task-oriented issues and leave them in the hands of your capable team.”
Kirch has honed his leadership skills over projects in four states. There have been healthcare builds, higher education projects, tribal developments and much more. Each has a different impact on the community, a new team and unique relationships. These all necessitate flexibility and out-of-the-box thinking that Kirch excels at.
“I can recall one project in a hospital that was operational while we worked on the exterior skin. This presented some unique challenges, as workers had to don surgical gear to get safely through sterile operating rooms while in use, just to reach their job site. It sounds unusual — because it is. But at the time, we just did what was needed to get the job done.”
And because construction is a team sport, Kirch knows how to bring different viewpoints together. As a leader, he can’t make decisions in a vacuum, knowing that the owner, architect, engineers and others need to have input to make things work. This team-based approach shapes much of how Kirch leads.
Kirch’s staff appreciates that nothing is too big or too small for him. He’s always willing to help, knowing that no matter what title a person holds, anyone may need to wear different hats at different times.
“Bringing people together and dialoguing is so helpful for solving problems,” he shares. “Transparent and candid conversation ensures I’m a trusted partner, whether with internal team members or external partners.”
As Kirch reflects on his nearly three-decade career, he remains grounded in the advice that launched his journey: “Be a sponge.” This mindset has shaped not only his personal growth but also his approach to leadership, as he continues to learn from every experience and embrace collaboration with his team. For Kirch, success is not just about the milestones reached but the relationships built and the knowledge gained along the way. His journey at Kitchell Contractors is a testament to the power of staying humble, leading with empathy, and fostering a culture where every voice contributes to the bigger picture.
Did You Know: Kitchell is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. The venture that began as a modest commercial contracting business now includes four separate companies spanning 13 states. Ranked as one of the top commercial builders both regionally and nationally, Kitchell employs more than 1,000 individuals. Learn more about the anniversary and Kitchell through the decades at kitchell.com/75for75.
