Owen‑Ames‑Kimball Co. Names Jim Hopper as Florida Regional Vice President

Owen-Ames-Kimball Co. (O-A-K) has completed construction of a 31,000-square-foot expansion of Cape Coral Technical College, marking the first major addition to the campus since it opened in 1993.

Students, faculty, community leaders and industry partners gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the expansion at the college, located at 360Santa Barbara Blvd. N. in Cape Coral.

The expansionsignificantly increases the college’s capacity to provide hands-on educationand industry-recognized credentials for careers in high-demand skilled trades. At full capacity, Cape Coral Technical College will serve up to 500 studentsannually, helping create a pipeline of trained workers for industries facingcritical workforce shortages throughout Southwest Florida.

“The completion of the Cape Coral Technical College expansion represents a significant investment inthe future workforce of Southwest Florida,” said Jim Hopper, Florida DivisionPresident of Owen-Ames-Kimball. “Projects like this create real opportunity,giving students access to hands-on training that leads directly to meaningfulcareers while helping local industries meet the growing demand for skilledprofessionals. Owen-Ames-Kimball is proud to partner with the School Districtof Lee County on a project that will have a lasting impact on students,businesses and the economic future of our region.”

The expanded campus allows Cape Coral Technical College to offer programs across three high-demandsectors: transportation, manufacturing, and architecture and construction. Newskilled-trades training includes construction trades, welding, HVAC, automotiverepair and service, marine service technology and additionalconstruction-industry programs.

“The programs in this building were designed hand in hand with local employers, which means ourstudents train on the same equipment and to the same standards they will findon the job,” said Dr. Denise Carlin, superintendent of Lee County Schools.

The expansion will allow more than 150 additional students each year to pursue tradecertifications. Many programs follow a “Career in a Year” model, allowingstudents to earn industry-recognized credentials and enter the workforcequickly. The college also offers dual-enrollment opportunities for high school students, as well as programs for veterans and individuals age 16 and older.

During theribbon-cutting ceremony, Cape Coral Technical College Director Charlie Pease also announced Nor-Tech Hi-Performance Boats as the college’s first FoundingIndustry Partner. Nor-Tech Chief Operating Officer Henrik Margard presented aninitial $20,000 donation to the college.

“At Nor-Tech, we believe that investing in education is an investment in our community’sfuture,” Margard said.

“Nor-Tech’s commitment gives our Marine Academy students access to the technology and expertise that will set them apart in the workforce,” Pease said.

Cape Coral Technical College currently offers 19 programs designed to prepare students for employment in growing industries. Partnerships with local businesses provide work-based learning opportunities while allowing industry professionals to help shape curriculum based on current workforce needs.

The expansion comes as Cape Coral and Southwest Florida continue to experience strong population and economic growth, increasing demand for skilled workers in construction, marine service, HVAC, automotive technology and other trades.

For more information about Cape Coral Technical College, visit capecoraltech.edu or call (239)574-4440.

Owen-Ames-Kimball is a nationally recognized construction management firm with offices serving Collier and Lee counties for more than four decades. With headquarters in Florida, Michigan, and Colorado, O-A-K delivers unmatched construction management expertise, leading complexprojects through strong partnerships and proven project leadership. Learn more about O-A-K at www.owen-ames-kimball.com or call (239) 561-4141.

O-A-K is packing up the table and hitting the road this fall, with our team showing up at career fairs across Michigan, Florida, and Colorado.

Where to find us

• University of Florida | September 10
• Ferris State University | September 22
• Western Michigan University | September 23
• Michigan State University | September 24
• Michigan Tech University | September 29
• Colorado State University | September 29
• Florida International University | October 6
• Florida Gulf Coast University | October 6
• Louisiana State University | October 23

Why stop by our table

A conversation at our table is a chance for us to actually get to know you, not just your resume. Tell us what you're studying, what kind of work excites you, where you picture yourself in five years. We're listening, and we remember. That connection is what turns into a real interview and, for a lot of students, a real career.

Last summer, twenty-eight interns joined O-A-K across our Michigan and Florida offices, working out of Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Traverse City, Naples, and Fort Myers. They didn't sit on the sidelines. Each was welcomed onto an active project and put to work from day one, alongside on-the-job training, weekly lunch and learns with company leaders, and a built-in community of fellow interns from across the states we serve.

The pathway is real

An internship at O-A-K isn't a summer detour, it's often the start of a career. Over the past decade, at least fourteen former interns have grown into full-time roles with the company. Brian Filipek interned in 2015 and is now a Project Manager. "The company's reputation initially attracted me to the internship, but it was the people and culture that convinced me to stay," Filipek said.

"O-A-K's internship program is designed to give students meaningful, real-world experience that simply can't be replicated in a classroom," said Jim Hopper, Florida Division President. Our interns become real members of project teams, working through problems and building relationships with clients and trade partners along the way.

What sets O-A-K apart

People-First Culture: At O-A-K, people are the driving force behind everything we build. We choose to do what's right, bring a can-do attitude to every job, and show up for each other, not just the project. Here, you're valued as a person, not reduced to a title or a task list.

Full Responsibility: When you join O-A-K, you become part of a company that's 100% employee-owned, so your success is directly tied to ours. You'll have the mentorship, training, and resources to do your best work, plus a real stake in the results. It's been our formula for growing careers, and the company, for more than 130 years.

Safety is Personal: At O-A-K, safety isn't a policy, it's a promise we make to every person on the jobsite and every community we build for. Our procedures are grounded in real field experience, not just paperwork, because protecting people always comes before schedules or deadlines.

If you're ready to build something that lasts, come find us on the road. We'd love to meet you. Have questions before then? Reach Camila directly at camilag@oakmi.com.

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O-A-K is glad to welcome Kylee Haywood as Business Development Manager, bringing more than twenty-five years of relationship and business development experience to the West Michigan team.

Kylee's career spans client services, commercial construction, manufacturing, and workplace design, and one thing has stayed constant across every stop: she builds relationships that last well past the first deal. Ask her about her career and she will point back to the people behind it, the clients she got to know, the trust she built, and the partnerships that grew from there.

Relationships have always come first for her, going back to the beginning of her career. "I really got started in business development through sales," Kylee says. "Early in my career, I learned that my strength wasn't just selling a product, it was building relationships, connecting with people, and finding opportunities where I could bring value. As my career progressed, that naturally evolved into new business development. I found that I really enjoyed opening doors, making connections, and turning those relationships into long-term partnerships and business growth."

"We're constantly looking for ways to better connect with our clients and partners - both existing and new." says Josh Szymanski, Chief Strategy Officer at O-A-K. "Kylee brings a long history of building trusted relationships in West Michigan.  As we grow in multiple regions, Kylee helps us make sure we also focus on continuing to serve the Grand Rapids area commercial market."

Kylee holds a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Public Relations from Grand Valley State University. She stays active in the West Michigan community as a board delegate with CREW West Michigan, where she also serves on the programs committee.

Kylee likes to sum it up simply: "Treat people well, listen to what matters to them, and take the time to genuinely get to know them. Build trust first, do the right thing, and let the relationship lead the business." We couldn't agree more, and we're glad to have her in our court. Welcome, Kylee!

More on Kylee Haywood.