Ken Kuesel, who has 28 years in commercial real estate construction, has been hired as president to lead the push as a general contractor. The new division, Henry S. Miller Construction Services Inc., will seek tenant finish-out contracts and third-party finish-out pacts plus oversee work on Henry S. Miller Commercial's new developments and existing properties.

"We are not going into the general contracting business per se. We are providing a consulting, supervisory position," Sam Kartalis, the firm's president and COO, emphasizes to GlobeSt.com.

Kuesel is starting with two teammates, but will be adding project managers and superintendents as the strategy develops. Kuesel says tradesmen will be subcontracted for the upcoming jobs. "They're giving me the wherewithal to get going and we're going to have fun," he tells GlobeSt.com.

It's a move to provide clients with "competitive, convenient and immediate responsive tenant finish construction services," says Vance C. Miller, chairman.

A few commercial real estate firms in the region have incorporated a construction division into the operation. It is sound business practice, says Kartalis. Every finish-out task, including buying furniture and telecommunications hookups, will be part of the construction team's agenda. The end goal is to save money and time for clients. "You're talking $10 to $20 per sf...that's a substantial number," Kartalis says.

Kuesel's first job will total 30,000 sf and involve one retail building in North Plano off Preston Road and another at Central Expressway near Walnut Hill, according to Kartalis. Kuesel also will be assigned some jobs for existing corporate clients to get the division rolling.

In taking the post, Kuesel has closed his business, MCM Contractors, which had built more than five million sf of commercial facilities and completed $40 million in projects for high-profile developers and companies. His background includes a vice presidency, project manager and very early in his career, construction coordinator for the CBD's landmark 2001 Bryan Tower.

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