Industry Achievement Award winners recognized at Casino Night gathering
Retail Construction Magazine - July/August 2007
The winners of this year’s Industry Achievement Awards were announced at the Casino Night party during Retail Construction Expo at the Commercial Construction Show. The awards, presented by Retail Construction Magazine, are based on nominations by readers in various categories. 
 
This year’s honorees are:
HALL OF FAME
Richard Kerschen, president and chairman of the board at Wichita, Kansas-based The Law Co., has been in the design/construction industry for more than 40 years.

After graduating from Kansas State University with a B.S. in civil engineering in 1964, he went to work for the Missouri Department of Transportation before moving on to Wichita to take a position with The Law Co. as a general laborer.  He quickly moved on to other roles with the company: labor foreman, field engineer, project superintendent and project manager.  After a brief interruption to serve with the Air National Guard, Kerschen returned to The Law Co. in 1969 and was promoted to manager of the construction division, which he headed up until 1976.  Then he became executive vice president and just two years after that received the titles of president and chief operating officer.  Five years later, he was given the additional title of chairman of the board – a role he continues today.

The Law Co.’s retail client list includes Simon Property Group, J.C. Penney Co, Crown American Corp., J & B Retail Properties, Target Stores, Sears Roebuck & Company and Wal-Mart.  Under Kerschen’s leadership the company has worked on a wide variety of projects in the industrial, commercial, correctional, healthcare and hospitality arenas.  His hard work and service have enabled the company to continually reach their goals and solve problems that arise on the job.

His greatest career success?
“Just being part of this industry for 42 years.  It doesn’t evolve just around one project, but is more about the long-term relationships I’ve established and The Law Co. has established.” Kerschen said. “We have worked with Simon Property Group for more than 40 years, the same with J.C. Penney.  When you have relationships that go that far and then continue, even through the different personalities that come and go, it is neat.  It says a lot about the wonderful people that make up this industry.” 

www.retailconstruction mag.com    (for the complete article featuring additional honorees)