ASCC Names Jordan Berens First Recipient of the “Gaining Strength” Award
[GRAND RAPIDS, MI] – The American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC) named Jordan Berens the first recipient of the national Gaining Strength Award. The award was presented on September 19, 2019 at the annual ASCC convention in Chicago, Illinois. Berens is the Director of Project Management for Kent Companies’ commercial concrete division in the Midwest. The ASCC’s Gaining Strength Award was established this year to acknowledge concrete industry professionals aged 40 and under who set them selves apart from their colleagues through day-to-day performance and through participation in local and national industry organizations.
Kent Companies CEO Jeff VanderLaan shared, “Jordan is a remarkable example of the career trajectory that’s possible in the concrete construction industry. He’s recognized at all levels of our organization for his willingness to step up, fill in gaps and seize opportunities as they are presented.” Berens’ tenure with Kent Companies began in 2014 as a Field Intern. Upon completion of his Construction Management degree from Ferris State University in 2015, Berens joined Kent Companies in a full-time capacity as a Project Engineer. He quickly rose through the ranks of the Midwest commercial concrete division, serving in Project Manager and Senior Project Manager roles. Today he is the Director of Project Management.
VanderLaan continued, “Jordan combines years of valuable field experience with construction management skills to deliver profitable projects for our customers. He has successfully managed multiple mid-rise and high-rise structures as well as a 2.3 million square foot distribution facility constructed by our Midwestern and Texas teams. He is a respected project management expert among our seasoned field leaders and general superintendents.”
Kent Companies General Superintendent Troy Clinger shares, “Jordan understands how to deal with tough schedules, tough customers and complications on the job. He always has a comprehensive plan before turning a project over to the field. Safety is always in the forefront of his mind. It’s the first part of job kick off meetings, and he starts every manpower meeting with safety. Because he worked in the field, Jordan knows what it takes to build a footing, a wall or to construct shoring. He completely understands the components of concrete construction and what it takes to build.”
Berens shares the recognition with his colleagues. “Field leaders and project managers need each other. Both bring valuable skills and perspectives to the table. Concrete construction is successful when we collaborate on safety, manpower and schedule to meet our customer’s goals. I’m grateful to the field leaders and business managers who taught me how to combine my skills throughout every step of my career.” Berens adds, “In fact, the learning never stops. Concrete construction offers huge potential to build a long-term career, to use new technology, and to deliver incredible projects. There’s a new challenge every day.”
Berens has served as the project manager for award-winning projects across West Michigan including Project Rapids (Michigan Concrete Association Award of Excellence, 2019); 601 Bond (Michigan Concrete Association Award of Excellence, 2018); Midwest Energy & Communications (Associated Builders & Contractors – West Michigan, Excellence in Construction Award, 2018).
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About Kent Companies:
Kent Companies is a 3rd-generation family-owned business with expertise in commercial and industrial construction, mixed-use construction, multi-family housing, tilt-up concrete, post-tensioned cast in place structures and a full range of concrete-related specialties.
Kent Companies is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan and has operations in Detroit, Michigan; Dallas and Austin, Texas; central Ohio; Charlotte, North Carolina and St. Louis, Missouri. Kent Companies employs over 1,500 concrete construction professionals nationwide, and the organization is ranked in the top 12 concrete contractors nationwide by ENR Magazine. The Kent Companies team has built a reputation as “Leaders in Concrete.”
