Lee M. Kennedy, chairman, founded Lee Kennedy Co., Inc. (LKCo) in 1978, after having worked as an architectural draftsman, field laborer, ironworker and crane operator. His wide ranging experience instilled in him the conviction that the ideal construction company would be one that actively promoted high levels of cooperation and accountability, with all levels of management working together and sharing a common sense of purpose and investment. Only when every employee was truly devoted to the successful completion of a job could the client's needs be met with sufficient levels of consideration and professionalism. As a first and crucial step towards creating such a construction company, Kennedy set about hiring a full-time labor workforce. He had witnessed the pitfalls and obstacles to productivity inherent in piecing together haphazard crews, and knew that unity and stability would be far more attainable with a full-time employee base.

Over the years, Kennedy's philosophy of teamwork and accountability gave rise to additional, distinctive advances. Seeking to expand the realm of company responsibility and investment in individual projects, LKCo administrators established a full Preconstruction Department - a rarity among construction companies at the time. The efforts of this department have caused many clients to value LKCo as a strategic partner in early planning efforts such as budget development and feasibility studies. In addition, a Corporate Interiors Group has been established, which straddles the Estimating and Project Management/Project Executive Departments, and channels the talents of its members towards a specialized yet firmly grounded handling of corporate interior projects.

The family aspect of the business is extremely important to Mr. Kennedy, and he takes much pleasure in the fact that his three children all work at LKCo. Lee Michael has been with the company for almost two decades and is president. Shaila and Eugene have each been with the company for over ten years. Shaila is vice president and director of marketing, and Eugene is the director of client development, heading up the Corporate Interiors Group. Like their father, they have learned the business through first-hand exposure to the field, and like him they take a familial as well as a professional pride in the company's success. This success is considerable - since its inception, LKCo has grown under the leadership of Mr. Kennedy and president Lee Michael Kennedy to be a well-established, full-service construction company with extensive experience in the commercial, retail/restaurant, hospitality and institutional markets throughout New England. It manages approximately $120 million a year in feasibility studies, preconstruction, construction management and general contracting services for new construction, renovations, additions and historic restorations. Approximately sixty in-house employees and over one hundred field workers are employed by LKCo, and their collective efforts have secured a position of renown and financial stability for the company.

From the largest commercial corporation to the smallest nonprofit community organization, each Kennedy project is characterized by quality. The company's fostering of both innovation and solid teamwork have given rise to strong and long-lasting relationships both internally and externally, with a loyal and dedicated workforce and repeat clients in many sectors. LKCo looks with confidence and focus towards the future.

The Partnering Approach

On each construction project the interest of the client comes first. The Kennedy philosophy, to work with the client and architect as a team in a "Partnering" approach on each project, facilitates a much-improved level of continuity from preconstruction through the construction phase. This team approach ensures open lines of communication and continuity on all phases of a project so that the design/construction team can meet difficult deadlines while staying within budget.

We believe that open and consistent communication between team members; owner, architect, engineer and construction manager is critical to the success of each project and we make the commitment to fully do our part in this common goal.

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