Regional Director | KBE West
As Regional Director of our Phoenix office, Cort leads the KBE West field teams and oversees trade contractor and client relationships for the metropolitan Phoenix region and Western US. Cort joined KBE in 2018, and was named Regional Director of the firm’s Western US office in 2021. He began his construction career in 2003 and received a BS in Construction Management from University of Nebraska at Lincoln.
How I ended up in construction:
I was a biology/pre-dentistry major at the University of Nebraska with the goal of becoming a dentist. After about two-and-a-half years of that educational trajectory, I decided to change majors. My roommate at the time was a construction management major, and at his suggestion, I met with dean of the engineering college and learned about the value of a construction career. It felt much more aligned with my personality.
Best advice I’ve ever received...and given:
Received: When I graduated college and moved to Phoenix, my mom gave me a little magnet to put on front door of my apartment that read, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined.” – Henry David Thoreau.
Given: Leaders lead from the front.
My most memorable project:
Two projects come to mind…
1) Le Nature’s World Headquarters, Phoenix AZ – This was my first “big” project and really set the trajectory for where my career was headed. It taught me a lot about the level of dedication and commitment that would be required if I wanted to succeed. I also met my future wife on this project…so you could really say it set the trajectory for future life.
2) Guam US Naval Hospital CUP – Spent 18 months living in Guam. Learned that sometimes you need to be self-reliant to succeed. Projects can literally put you “on an island” and the only way to survive is to improvise!
What matters most to me about my work:
The relationships that I develop along the way are the most meaningful things about the work.