Few people know that Chris Kirch is still working at the same place he worked in college.

“I grew up in the Valley and went to school at NAU, and I was in construction management,” says the president of Kitchell Contractors. “Kitchell had a project at Flagstaff Medical Center, so I had the opportunity to intern with Kitchell.”

Kirch says that internship was a game-changer for him.

“To have that hands-on, boots-on-the-ground experience while I was in school led me to discover my true passion for construction,” he says.

Today, Kirch has followed that rare path of internship to company presidency. After going to work for Kitchell straight out of Northern Arizona University, Kirch worked in the Las Vegas and Texas markets before coming home to Phoenix and being named president of Kitchell Contractors in 2023. Kitchell CEO Wendy Cohen even referenced Kirch’s internship when naming him company president.

FUTURE GROWTH: On the AZ Big Podcast, Chris Kirch, president of Kitchell Contractors, said, “In 2025, I think the construction industry in Metro Phoenix will still maintain the heat it has, no pun intended.”

“As someone who has lived this industry since he started as a laborer on one of our hospital projects, Chris understands first-hand how to meet the challenges of increasingly complex projects while mobilizing teams to perform at the highest levels,” she said.

That early experience working on the Flagstaff Medical Center project has allowed Kirch to build a solid foundation in the healthcare construction space—and it has impacted him personally.

“What’s really interesting is all of my children have been born in hospitals that Kitchell constructed,” Kirch says. “Our two oldest were born at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, and I was actually working on the hospital when they were both born there. Our youngest was born here in the Valley at Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, and we had just finished Mercy Gilbert a couple of years earlier.”

But healthcare isn’t the only construction sector Kirch has impacted. He has also worked on Native American gaming and higher education projects—all sectors Kirch says are the backbone of what Kitchell does here in the Valley. Now, Kirch has set his sights on utilizing technology to strengthen Kitchell and the company’s construction processes.

“In my career, I’ve seen technology grow at a pace that is unbelievable,” he says. “When I started, we were posting changes on drawings by hand. Now, it’s all done electronically. The speed of how technology has affected the industry is unbelievable, and the changes are coming faster and faster. We’re just scratching the surface of the impact technology will have.”

Today, Kirch says artificial intelligence will change the industry in positive ways.

“From a safety standpoint, there are opportunities to review and look at the construction site and utilize AI to pick up on safety violations or infractions,” Kirch says. “It’s also used to review documents and contracts. And AI is able to do all those things at light speed.”

This original article appeared in the 2025 AZ Big 100 issue of AZRE, where Kitchell was recognized as a Top 50 Commercial Real Estate Company and Kitchell CEO Wendy Cohen was named among the Top 50 Commercial Real Estate Leaders to Watch in 2025. Read the issue here.

At Kitchell, safety isn’t just a priority—it’s a core value deeply embedded in our company culture. To reinforce this commitment and honor the memory of an employee lost to a workplace accident, Kitchell established the Samuel Monge Memorial Safety Award in 2018. Named after Samuel Monge, a laborer who tragically lost his life on the Phoenix Children’s Hospital (PCH) project in 2010, the award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond to promote safety and embody Kitchell’s values.

This year, Kitchell proudly recognized Randy Durston, a foreman with DP Electric, as the recipient of this prestigious award. Randy’s leadership on the PCH 3rd Floor renovation turned challenges—including near-miss incidents—into opportunities for improvement, setting a new benchmark for safety-first practices. By identifying vulnerabilities in safety protocols and implementing effective solutions, Randy has not only enhanced the safety of his team but also influenced broader safety standards.

Randy Durston accepting the 2024 Samuel Monge Memorial Safety Award

The award’s symbolic trophy, a replica of Thor’s hammer, Mjölnir, reflects strength, resilience, and the power of safety. Embedded in the hammer is the Samuel Monge Safety Coin, a reminder of the values it represents. As Randy works an electrical subcontractor, the award’s design is a nod to the Norse god of thunder and lightning, tying the symbolism of strength to Randy’s exceptional efforts.

Randy exemplifies excellence in safe electrical practices, particularly in the proper completion of Electrical Energized Work Permits (EEWP). His work has become a training standard for foremen and contractors across projects, amplifying his positive impact throughout the industry. Additionally, Randy actively identifies unsafe conditions and works closely with Kitchell to develop and implement solutions, embodying a proactive approach to safety.

The Samuel Monge Memorial Safety Award is more than an accolade; it’s a call to action for the construction industry. By celebrating individuals like Randy who lead by example, we continue to foster a culture where safety is second nature.

Randy with Kitchell Safety Director, Justin Carr (L), and Kitchell Safety Manager, Chris Spencer (R)

Kitchell invites other industry partners to consider implementing similar programs that recognize and reward safety leaders within their organizations. By highlighting and celebrating exceptional efforts, we can collectively improve safety standards and ensure that every worker goes home safely at the end of the day.

Randy’s contributions remind us that safety is a shared responsibility, and through dedication, innovation, and leadership, we can create environments where everyone thrives. Congratulations to Randy Durston for his outstanding achievements and for setting the standard for safety excellence.