Four Generations of Success

In the early 1970s, when contracting slowly began to change from hiring one guy to perform all the work to hiring one to ensure the work was finished correctly, Bob and Mike, Gene's sons, joined the company full-time. In 1987 the company name was changed to the current Kelsey Construction, Inc.

Bob and Mike run the company today, continuing the success started by their grandfather and continuing to uphold a reputation of excellence. They also uphold the Kelsey Construction philosophy, which states that an essential element in making a successful project begins long before the first earth is broken. It begins with a hands-on commitment to partnering between the designers, the owner and the contractor, to understand the form and functionality of the building they propose to create together - as a team. As Kelsey Construction manages jobs for regional clients throughout Central Florida and the southeastern United States, they still believe this hands-on commitment is the best way to ensure the excellence their clients have expected of Kelsey since 1920.

Through the years of growth and expansion, the ZSKS team has worked with Kelsey Construction and the Kelsey family, providing corporate, tax, litigation and estate planning services.

"Anytime you have a family business, you must work within a unique set of circumstances because of the compassion and loyalty among family members not present in other companies. The Kelseys have thrived on such traits and continue to build upon the successes of the past as they position their company for success in the next generation," states ZSKS attorney Bill Lowman. ZSKS has continued to assist the Kelseys with business and estate planning that integrates their business, tax and liquidity considerations with the emotional and financial needs of the family and the needs of the business to achieve continuity and growth in the future.

Today, the fourth generation of Kelseys, Brock Kelsey and Courtney Kelsey, are poised to take a leadership role in the family business.

Courtney Kelsey, a graduate of Vanderbilt University in Communication Studies and Japanese, is currently enhancing her education with an M.B.A. from the Crummer School of Business at Rollins College. While enrolled in graduate school, Courtney Kelsey plans to continue her employment as a full-time conference manager in the hospitality industry.

Brock Kelsey, a senior and honors student at the University of Florida's M.E. Rinker School of Building Construction, plans to join the family business in the spring of 2003.

"We have in place a sound business succession plan that will allow Kelsey Construction to continue to be a family owned and operated business well into the future," Mike Kelsey stated. "As a professional courtesy to us, Bill joins us each quarter for a business lunch with our advisors to continue to discuss and refine our succession plan. We value hands-on commitment in our relationships with all business associates, since this is the same type of commitment we have given to our clients," Kelsey continued.

One of Kelsey Construction's mottos for excellence is "Built to Last." It is a testament to the declaration long ago stated by its patriarch, Eugene W. Kelsey, Jr. - "Quality workmanship is always the goal." To this day, at over 82 years strong, Kelsey Construction, Inc. continues to succeed by virtue of God's blessing and family-based tradition.

Orlando Business Journal September 13, 2002