Darin Heyen 2019 Chairman of the Board The Builder’s Association
Darin Heyen has assumed the role of 2019 Chairman of the Board of The Builders’ Association. He became Vice Chairman and a member of the Association’s Executive Board in 2018. He previously served as President of the Association’s sister organization, the Kansas City Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), from 2013 to 2014.
He is President of Pearce Construction, a general contractor whose clients range from nonprofit and faith-based organizations to commercial, financial, medical and more. He has a B.S. degree in Architecture from the Kansas State University College of Architecture and Design, and is a licensed architect in Kansas and Missouri. He is also a member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and the AIA (American Institute of Architects) Kansas City.
Darin is a member of The Builders’ Association’s Membership Recruitment and Inclusion Committee. He has served on The Builders’ Association’s General Labor Committee and the Carpenters’ Management Negotiating Committee. He is also a past member of the National AGC’s Accreditation Evaluation Board.
Membership in The Builders’ Association, has had a “huge” impact on his business, he said. “As a medium size contractor, we’re able to utilize all of the services the Builders’ offers. The Association provides us the resources, experience and talent to improve and grow our business in numerous ways.
“Being Chairman of an organization as prestigious as The Builders’ Association is humbling,” he continued. “It is an honor and a major responsibility to serve in that leadership role. The Builders’ Association is comprised of more than 780 member firms employing thousands of employees. Many of our companies have had several generations of family leadership, and one is in its sixth generation of leadership,” he added.
During his address to the more than 400 people who attended The Builders’ Association’s Annual Banquet on February 22, Darin stated, “Our members have literally built this city. They’ve built thousands of buildings throughout the Midwest and even coast-to-coast. They are the unsung heroes of the building environment. We build the buildings in which everyone works, lives, plays and worships. Oftentimes others get the credit, but the men and women in this room are responsible for taking the design concept and making it a reality.
“One thing that amazes me about our industry is how sophisticated the nature of our business is. While we utilize construction methods that are decades old, we also utilize sophisticated computer systems and equipment to constantly improve our processes. Buildings are increasingly more complicated. They are built with more layers of infrastructure. We are held to the highest standards when it comes to the health, safety and welfare of our community,” he added.
ENGAGEMENT
Darin has chosen engagement as the theme he wants to promote in 2019. “I challenge each of our members at every level – ownership, executive management, field staff and project management – to engage and get involved. Get your people involved in the Builders’. You will not be disappointed.
“I want to expand our Association’s outreach and involvement within our own companies. I want to see our Association educate and excite the next generation,” he continued.
“Through my involvement with the Association, I’ve had the honor of getting to know many of our members – people with outstanding character and knowledge of our industry. Not only our subcontractors, suppliers and service providers, but our competition. I’ve been able to develop very valuable personal relationships with direct competitors through the Association, and I think that’s one of the great benefits of membership,” he added.
2020 VISION PLAN
Darin is a strong believer in the Association’s focus on strategic planning as embodied in the “2020 Vision Plan.”
“Over the past decade, membership in professional associations has declined, and the Builders’ is no exception. Several years ago our Association recognized the need for greater relevance and improved services for our members. In 2016, the initiative to develop the 2020 Vision was launched. The Builders’ staff and board members began to identify the strengths and weaknesses within the services we offer. With metrics in place to view and monitor our progress objectively, the Vision Plan was not only developed but was successfully implemented. We’ve redefined our services and our financial reporting structures in order tomanage, evaluate and improve those services.
“I admire the work my two predecessor chairmen, Dirk Schafer and Shawn Burnum, as well as Don Greenwell and the Builders’ staff, have put into the Vision Plan. One of my goals is to follow through and continue to implement the objectives it outlines.
“I’ve seen a tremendous change in the perception of the Builders’ because of the plan, and I love the accountability, the vision, and how we’re growing as an Association. In an age where so many Associations are becoming irrelevant, we’re becoming more relevant to our members, and I think a lot of that is because of the vision of both boards and our staff.”
BACKGROUND IN ARCHITECTURE
In 1994, Darin was project architect on the First National Bank of Kansas (in Overland Park) when he met Don Pearce, whose company, Pearce Construction, was the general contractor.
Don had practiced architecture for 12 years and had made the transition from architecture to construction in 1976. Darin made a similar transition when, after practicing architecture for four years, he joined Pearce Construction in 1995.
“As my relationship with Don developed, it became evident that we had a lot of interests in common. We have a similar vision with regard to the building process and the contractor/architect/owner relationship, and we share a strong commitment to family and faith,” commented Darin. “I also came to realize that I wasn’t really leaving the profession of architecture, I was simply using my architectural experience and education in a different capacity.”
Darin was named vice president of Pearce Construction in 2001 and became president of the company in 2009. He follows in Don Pearce’s footsteps in another respect; Don was Chairman of The Builders’ Association (in 2005) and President of the Kansas City Chapter, AGC (1995-96).
After Darin joined Pearce Construction, his three children were curious to know what he did at work each day, he recalled with a smile.
”Years ago, when our children were younger, we were having dinner one night and they asked, ‘Dad, do you build buildings?’ I answered, ‘Yes. Sure I do,’ and they asked, ‘Do you paint?’ I replied, ‘No, I don’t paint,’ and they followed with, ‘Do you do the bricks?’ and I answered, ‘No, I don’t do the bricks.’ Finally they asked, ‘Do you hammer?’ and I answered, ‘No I don’t hammer.’ They were kind of quiet for a minute before they said, ‘You don’t really build buildings, do you?’
“I may not be a skilled tradesman,” said Darin. “I may not be doing the physical work in the field, but make no mistake about it, as contractors, we are very, very involved in how our buildings are built. We are all responsible for providing the best product for the owner’s budget that we possibly can, and for protecting the safety of the workers who build them.”
HIGH QUALITY, ENERGY-EFFICIENT
Darin said that Pearce Construction “strives to meet and exceed our client’s expectations whether the project is new construction, a building addition, or an owner-occupied building renovation. Our focus is on delivering high quality, energy-efficient buildings for owners who want to control their budget and schedule.”
Their focus on energy-efficiency extends to their own building in South Kansas City, Missouri. In 2017, Pearce Construction installed solar rooftop panels as part of a partnership with KCP&L and the Missouri Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SREC) Program.
Pearce Construction typically works within a 50-mile radius of their headquarters. They often have jobs going in St. Joseph, Warrensburg, Lawrence and Topeka. They also self-perform all rough and finished carpentry including doors and frames, and install hardware as well as cabinetry. The size of their current staff –10 office workers and 25 field workers – has been pretty consistent over the last 20 years, noted Darin.
GOALS AS CHAIRMAN
In addition to encouraging engagement across the board with membership, Darin plans to address the “ongoing need to educate Builders’ members on the opportunities that exist through the Association and with our six sets of services. We offer so much from a professional development standpoint for member companies to take advantage of, whether it’s learning more about BIM,leadership, or finance.
“At a recent board meeting we talked about applying BIM technology to smaller and medium-sized companies that don’t have a BIM division. A BIM-light or a Lean Constructionlight course would allow those firms to start using these skills and techniques right away. We also talked about offering a targeted and focused development class like succession planning, especially for those in their 30s, 40s and 50s who are taking over companies.
“Another professional development class we talked about is Excel. You might think everyone knows how to use Excel, but it is not always offered in high schools and colleges, and it is often self-taught. I would like to see us offer advanced classes in Excel, with formulas, spreadsheets, multiple work pages, and workbooks. At Pearce Construction, we estimate with a custom Excel template. It is a massive spreadsheet that can be very intimidating for those who haven’t received advanced training.
“We might even talk about offering a foreign language like Spanish to keep up with the changing composition of the workforce. Speaking a foreign language can also facilitate construction safety.”
Darin also wants to focus on achieving a more sustainable membership. “I’d like to reduce the amount of turnover within our membership by focusing on recruiting companies who will remain committed to The Builders’ Association for the long-term.”
KEY TRAITS
When interviewing prospective hires for an office or field position, Darin considers passion for the construction industry to be a key trait.
“When you ask someone, ‘Tell me about your passion. What do you like to do?’ it’s amazing what their answer will tell you,” he commented. He remembers posing the question to Ryan Warman in 2014 when Ryan was a practicing architect.
“Ryan approached me and asked why I’d left architecture to go into construction. It soon became evident that we clicked on a personal level, and that he had the qualifications I was looking for. When I asked what he liked to do for fun, he answered, ‘I like to weld.’ He said that when he graduated with his Master’s in Architecture from KU, he bought a welder as a present to himself, and that he enjoys making furniture out of steel as a hobby.
“Ryan’s answer told me a lot, especially that he’s creative, knows how to put things together, and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty,” said Darin.
Ryan joined Pearce Construction as a project manager in 2015. He became their Vice President of Construction Management in 2017. He is also President-Elect of AIA Kansas City. Ryan’s term as President will begin in 2020.
“Having architects in leadership positions allows us to provide a unique level of preconstruction services to our owners,” said Darin. “We’ve been on the design side and know how to design buildings. We are very good at putting ourselves in an owner’s position and understanding how, if this were our building, we would want it done. We know the right kinds of questions to ask architects as well as subcontractors and suppliers to provide the best value for our clients because ultimately, it’s the client’s building, it’s their money.
“I’m very passionate about this industry, and I’m very passionate about this business. I’m very blessed that I enjoy what I do for a living. I love coming to work. I love the thrill of finding the job, winning the job, estimating the job, and building the job. I love getting to know the owner and developing repeat clientele.
“I’m an early morning person, and it is not unusual for me to wake up at 5 o’clock on a Saturday morning, put on a ball cap, come to the office and work until noon.”
A number of other qualities are important to Darin, especially when evaluating someone’s leadership potential. One is problem-solving ability. “We can train anyone to perform a particular task, but the person who is selfmotivated will know how to find the answer when faced with a challenge.” Another is personal demeanor. “This is a very professional industry, so we’re looking for someone who can handle pressure.” An additional trait is humility. “One of the things we look for, especially in our young project managers, is whether they willask the superintendent questions so they can gain from their experience.”
Darin said that he would like to be seen as a servant leader, a style of leadership which emphasizes service to others. “I think confidence and humility are important leadership qualities and ones that I aspire to. I’m a non-confrontational type of person. I believe in using the power of persuasion when interacting with others. I’m not afraid to speak up, but I don’t need to be the center of attention. I won’t shy away from the spotlight, but I’m certainly not seeking it. I’d rather be the type of leader who puts the spotlight on other people.”
He also believes in “listening twice as much as you speak. I admire the leaders who, when they do speak up, immediately have people’s attention because they are known for being pertinent and relevant.”
FAMILY LIFE
Darin was raised in Wichita, Kansas, and the family regularly attended church together. His father was facilities manager for an oil refinery and his mother was a grade school teacher who still lives in Wichita. He has one sibling, an older brother who manages the Wichita division of a regional bank.
He was enrolled by his parents in a junior golf program and has been playing golf ever since. For several years, he and a group of friends – none of whom are in the same profession – have enjoyed a regular weekly game. In addition to Darin they include a doctor, medical equipment salesman, sports architect, attorney, and information technology officer.
Darin and his wife Lauren will celebrate their 28th wedding anniversary in September. They have three children. Kalyn (25) graduated with a B.A. in Accounting and Political Science from Notre Dame in 2016 and has a CPA. She is a Junior Analyst at The Carlyle Group, a private equity firm in New York City. Megan (23) earned her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from K-State in 2018. She is an Assistant Chemical Engineer with Burns & McDonnell in Kansas City. Jake (20) is pursuing a dual major in Finance and Statistics at the University of Missouri in Columbia.
“Lauren set the bar very high academically,” said Darin. “She deserves 99% of the credit. I married well and I’m not afraid to admit it. All three kids – knock on wood – continue to do very well. I’m extremely proud of them.”
The commitment to being the best parent possible is, of course, a shared one. Darin coached each of his children in various sports and tried never to miss an important school activity.
Darin and Lauren attend St. Ann Catholic Church in Prairie Village. For many years they served on the St. Ann Advisory Council as Parish Representatives to Bishop Miege High School, when their children were students there. Darin is currently on the Bishop Miege High School Board of Trustees.
In 2002, when their oldest (Kalyn) was only six, Darin was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Fortunately, when diagnosed early, the disease has a 95% cure rate, Darin learned. Two weeks after being diagnosed, he began chemotherapy, followed by thirty radiation treatments. In 2007, he was declared cancer-free and told he no longer needed to see his oncologist. The experience gave him a new perspective on life. “You don’t take things for granted. You focus on the things that are of immediate importance to your family,” he stated.
This past fall, Darin and Lauren traveled to England to visit Megan, who was studying at The University of Liverpool. A highlight of the trip for Darin was a tour of the Churchill War Rooms in London. “To enter the bunker where Churchill and his war cabinet directed the war, and see it in the state is was in at that time, was absolutely fascinating.”
During a family vacation to the Turks and Caicos Islands three years ago, Darin learned to sail. “We were at a resort that included water sports. One of the guides took me out on a Hobie Cat [a small sailing catamaran]. After the two of us were out there for about 30 minutes, he asked me to take him back to shore, and then he said, ‘You’re on your own, go.’ I sailed for about two hours by myself. The water was calm, and it was incredibly relaxing, exhilarating and freeing. It was amazingly easy to navigate this small sailboat, and next to spending time with my family, it was a highlight of the trip.”
CURRENT PROJECTS
Pearce Construction won an AGC Building Excellence Award for the Liberty United Methodist Church New Worship and Education Building in 2016. They were a Finalist for the Village Church Child and Family Development Center in 2018, and their projects have consistently been recognized at the biennial awards ceremony.
Three years ago they completed a new facility for Abundant Life Baptist Church in Lee’s Summit. The 94,000 square foot, $25 million dollar project features a state-of-the-art auditorium with 2,100 theater-style seats, a warm and inviting community/connection space, an adult education space, and improved learning environments for children.
Pearce Construction has completed multiple projects for Vineyard Church in Kansas City, Missouri, north of the river. Their most recent project, a two-story children’s ministry building addition, was completed in February of this year.
In October 2018, they finished the $15 million, 40,000 square foot Mathena Student Center at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. The two story center houses a bookstore, coffee shop, food service café, multiple spaces for studying and meeting, a large recreation room, full-size gymnasium, workout facilities, racquetball court, and childcare area.
André’s Confiserie Suisse is a longstanding client. Pearce Construction’s most recent project at André’s flagship store at 5018 Main was completed in 2017 and included renovation of the tea room, where they raised the ceiling, added new maple wood floors, and more. Pearce Construction worked with André’s to ensure the store remained open during the renovation. In 2014, they converted an office and production space at the front of the store into a café with floor-to-ceiling windows.
We’ve done multiple projects for André’s, and all of them have been a lot of fun,” said Darin. “Our carpenters love the challenge of meeting their very precise standards.”
A MENTOR AND MORE
Darin described Don Pearce as a “friend, a mentor, and a great business partner. Don has been hugely influential in the development of my career and in my personal development. I literally could not have asked for a better person to help me learn about the industry and challenge me to grow in my career. Don served as President of the AGC and Chairman of the Board of The Builders’ Association, and I’m thrilled to be able to follow in his footsteps.
“Don has always devoted energy to improving our business, and if I had an idea to help us improve he wasn’t afraid to invest in it and ride with me. He would let me fail, but he was always there as a partner, encouraging me.
“I’m thrilled that Don can enjoy this next stage of his life. We don’t like to call it retirement – just that he is taking a lot more time off without the financial responsibility. Don will always have an office here and continue to be involved in a consultative role. I will continue to bounce ideas off of him and to seek his counsel and wisdom,” he added.
PAYING TRIBUTE
Darin paid tribute to Shawn Burnum, his predecessor as chairman in 2018. Shawn, who is Vice President of Operations, PCI (Performance Contracting Inc.), remains an officer of The Builders’ Association board.
“I think Shawn’s leadership as chairman was outstanding. He did a wonderful job helping implement the 2020 Vision Plan. Once Dirk Schafer [2017 Chairman of The Builders’
Association] got the plan set and in place, Shawn was very effective in implementing it and holding people accountable. I hope to continue that accountability during my chairmanship.
“I’ve really enjoyed getting to know Shawn and we have become good friends. I have a tremendous amount of respect for him and his wife Misty, and am grateful for their commitment to the industry. Shawn’s leadership with PCI both locally and nationally has been an invaluable resource for The Builders’ Association, but he is not all about PCI. He’s about what’s going to make our heartland region and this industry better.”