They have spent their lives constructing a lasting and expansive legacy – one bridge and highway, school and commercial building at a time.
“Fred developed an ad a few years back that kind of typifies our impact on Omaha. The sense of it was, ‘You taxied on a Hawkins runway. You parked in a Hawkins garage, drove on a Hawkins road, and you probably met in a Hawkins building.’ I think that symbolizes our impact upon Omaha as a whole,” said Kim Hawkins, chairman/president of Hawkins Construction Company.
Both Kim and older brother Fred, born and raised in Omaha; graduates of West Side High School, grew up in the family business.
“I started working when I was ten years old,” Kim says. “I was responsible for fueling all the equipment and sweeping the shop out. Of course, when you’re ten years old and you’re responsible for anything, you think you’re making the company run.”
That company has a storied history that dates back to 1922, Fred and Kim’s grandfather, and a contract to build one of the most iconic structures in the state.
Kim explains, “The gentleman who owned Parsons Construction at the time, as I was told the story, didn’t want to build Memorial Stadium so they (Kenneth Hawkins and his brother) bought the company, and their first job as owners was Memorial Stadium down in Lincoln.”
In 1960, Kenneth and his son, Fred Sr., incorporated the business into what is now Hawkins Construction Company. Kim and Fred Jr.’s involvement was never in question.
“We held every craft position while we were going to college – from laborers to carpenters, finishers, operators, ultimately culminating in becoming superintendents,” recalls Kim, a graduate of both Georgia Tech and Creighton University Law School.
Fred, a Hastings College grad, says, “Your company is really only as good as the people you have, and if you really can’t understand what they’re going through, the problems they’re facing, it’s hard to make good decisions.”
Though they shrug off titles, Fred became CEO and Kim became president when their father retired in 1980. Hawkins had already established itself as contracting powerhouse responsible for highways, bridges and many of the area’s most recognized buildings. The company soared even higher under Fred and Kim’s leadership.
“I never dreamed our company would be where it is today. When Dad and my grandfather started Hawkins in 1960, we were a small company,” Fred says.
Kim adds, “Hawkins’ success is not because Fred and I had such great vision; it’s because we created an environment that allowed our people to flourish.”
Fred continues, “Hawkins was always geared for people who wanted to advance, who wanted to grow.”
After establishing itself as the region’s most successful highway and bridge contractor in the 90’s, Hawkins accelerated at the turn of the millennium with a string of high-profile projects:
- The Nebraska State Correctional Facility in Tecumseh
- University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Durham Research Center
- The widening of Interstate-80 from Omaha to the Platte River
- Omaha’s elevated West Dodge Expressway
“We’ve built thousands of jobs. They all had their challenges, and they’ve all been fun,” Kim says.
“Fun” is exactly how Fred describes the decades spend working, problem solving and building the business with his brother. The older sibling began dialing back his day-to-day involvement a couple of years ago. Semi-retired, Fred finds great satisfaction in watching his family grow and succeed. He and Marianne, his wife of 38 years, have two adult daughters and three grandchildren.
“I’m lucky I also have an opportunity to run a couple of farms and a ranch,” Fred says. “I have enough to keep me busy without being in Kim’s way.”
Kim, father of three and grandfather of eight, is still “full speed ahead,” working hand-in-hand with the next generation of Hawkins – his son, Chris.
“I enjoy watching younger people grow within our team,” Kim says.
The legacy the Hawkins brothers helped to create extends beyond the built environment – to building up our youth. Kim and Karen, his high school sweetheart and wife of 40 years, are longtime advocates for the Boys and Girls Club.
“It really pulls at your heartstrings. Once you get involved with the kids, it’s hard to get away from it,” Kim says.
Fred and Marianne have focused their efforts on education. “I’ve been involved in a number of scholarships – and more towards the ‘C’ student, not the ‘A’ student, families that have a great child who probably wouldn’t have a chance to go to college if it wasn’t for the help of the Hawkins family.”
Fred Jr. and Kim Hawkins: Inducted into the Omaha Business Hall of Fame 17 years after their father; skilled superintendents of a family legacy that has helped our community work, learn, drive and soar.
“We always attempted to put our best foot forward,” Kim says, “and it didn’t make any
difference who accomplished something. It was really, ‘What was best for the company long-term?’”
Says Fred, “I’m convinced the best days of Hawkins are the future – not the past.”
The Omaha Business Hall of Fame celebrates exceptional achievement, enduring legacies and bold community impact.
This year’s inductee class, which also includes the late Irving Dana Jr., Gary Gates, Jack Koraleski and Steven Martin, will be welcomed and honored at
the Omaha Business Hall of Fame Gala on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, at the Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St.
The evening begins with a 6 p.m. hors d’oeuvres dinner followed by a 7:30 p.m. induction ceremony and dessert. Parking is included.
Gala proceeds support Greater Omaha Chamber Foundation efforts to attract and retain young professionals and maintain the
permanent Omaha Business Hall of Fame exhibit at The Durham Museum.
Thank you to our sponsors: Fraser Stryker PC LLO | KPMG LLP | U.S. Bank