Owen‑Ames‑Kimball Florida Names Taylor Sawatzky Director of Strategic Development

May 10, 2023

Owen‑Ames‑Kimball Florida Names Taylor Sawatzky Director of Strategic Development

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"Taylor is a relationship builder with a passion for learning, improvement, and innovation. His exceptional customer service and leadership skills, his organizational abilities, and his experience in the construction industry are a winning combination. We are excited to have him join the O‑A‑K team."
Matthew Zwack
Florida Division President, Owen‑Ames‑Kimball

Owen‑Ames‑Kimball Company (O‑A‑K), a preeminent general contractor with a longstanding presence in Southwest Florida, has named Taylor Sawatzky Director of Strategic Development. Sawatzky is responsible for creating and implementing business development strategies for the company, which is the fifth-largest contractor by revenue in the region (Business Observer, March 2023).

“Taylor is a relationship builder with a passion for learning, improvement, and innovation,” said Matthew Zwack, president of O‑A‑K Florida. “His exceptional customer service and leadership skills, his organizational abilities, and his experience in the construction industry are a winning combination. We are excited to have him join the O‑A‑K team.”

Sawatzky most recently worked for Manhattan Construction Company in business development and project management. He earned his Master of Computer and Information Systems Security/Information Assurance, Master of Business Administration, and Bachelor of Business Administration and Management from Florida Gulf Coast University. Sawatzky is a 2023 graduate of Leadership Collier. He is a Certified Project Management Professional and Public Manager and has earned Google Analytics certification.

An employee-owned company, O‑A‑K Florida, Inc.’s board of directors comprises members from the company’s Florida operations. Owen‑Ames‑Kimball Company has provided premier general contracting, design-build, and construction management services in Southwest Florida since 1982.

O‑A‑K’s Florida operation is an affiliate of its parent company in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Florida operation has offices in Collier and Lee counties. Its Lee County office is at 11941 Fairway Lakes Drive in Fort Myers. Learn more about O‑A‑K at www.owen‑ames‑kimball.com or call (239) 561-4141.

"Taylor is a relationship builder with a passion for learning, improvement, and innovation. His exceptional customer service and leadership skills, his organizational abilities, and his experience in the construction industry are a winning combination. We are excited to have him join the O‑A‑K team."
Matthew Zwack
Florida Division President
Owen‑Ames‑Kimball

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Cory O’Donnell, Marketing Manager at Owen‑Ames‑Kimball (O‑A‑K), has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce, further strengthening the company’s long-standing commitment to the Cape Coral business community and regional partnerships.

O’Donnell brings more than 20 years of experience in communications, marketing, and community engagement in Southwest Florida. In his role at O‑A‑K, he leads storytelling, brand strategy, and community outreach efforts, helping connect the company’s projects and people with the communities they serve.

His involvement with the Chamber extends beyond board service. O’Donnell currently serves on the Chamber’s Education Committee and has been a visible advocate for student achievement, acting as emcee for the 33rd Annual Cape Coral Chamber Excellence in Education Awards in 2025 and returning in May 2026. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship Fund, supporting local students in pursuing higher education.

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“Cory’s appointment reflects both his personal dedication to this community and O‑A‑K’s belief in being more than a builder — we are partners in the places where we work,” said Jim Hopper, Florida Division President, Owen‑Ames‑Kimball. “His passion for education, communication, and community connection aligns perfectly with the Chamber’s mission to strengthen local businesses and our regional economy.”

O’Donnell was officially sworn in alongside fellow board members and trustees during the Cape Coral Chamber’s Chairman’s Gala on January 31. At the same event, O‑A‑K was honored as a finalist for Large Business of the Year — a recognition that underscores the company’s continued investment in Cape Coral and its support of local businesses and community initiatives.

Through O’Donnell’s leadership and service, O‑A‑K continues to deepen its roots in Cape Coral, reinforcing its commitment to building not only high-quality facilities, but also lasting community relationships.

O‑A‑K’s Florida division is an affiliate of its parent company in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with offices in Collier and Lee counties. Its Lee County office is located at 11941 Fairway Lakes Drive in Fort Myers. To learn more about O‑A‑K, visit www.owen‑ames‑kimball.com or call (239) 561-4141.

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Owen‑Ames‑Kimball (O‑A‑K) Florida Division, an employee-owned construction firm serving Southwest Florida since 1982, is pleased to announce that Keri Looker has joined the team as Business Development Manager for Naples and Collier County.

Looker brings more than 20 years of marketing, business development, and client-focused experience in the Southwest Florida architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. In her new role, she will lead growth initiatives and expand O‑A‑K’s presence in the Collier County market, with a focus on cultivating long-term relationships and new opportunities across sectors including education, healthcare, aviation, government, and private development.

She most recently served as Director of Marketing for Naples-based RWA, Inc., where she led strategic business development, branding, and client engagement efforts for civil engineering and land planning projects throughout Collier and Lee counties.

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Looker holds a Master of Business Administration from Florida Gulf Coast University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Florida’s Coggin College of Business. She is actively involved in the Collier Building Industry Foundation, the Collier County Community Land Trust, and Urban Land Institute Southwest Florida, reflecting her commitment to responsible growth and community building.

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O‑A‑K’s Florida Division is an affiliate of its parent company in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with offices in Collier and Lee counties. Its Collier County office is located at 5100 Tamiami Trail North, Suite 103, Naples, FL 34103. To learn more about O‑A‑K, visit www.owen‑ames‑kimball.com or call (239) 304-9746.

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