Chris Larkin Wins December 2022 Core Value Award

Chris Larkin, a project superintendent from the Minneapolis office, won the December 2022 Core Values Award. Ken Francois submitted the nomination. It reads:

“I nominate Chris Larkin for his work on the Frost Lake Elementary School for St. Paul Public Schools. The project was a multi-year, multi-phased addition and remodel of an existing school that started as Covid set in. Working in an occupied school during Covid is not an easy task, but Chris worked with the contractors and the school staff to keep both the project and the school running smoothly. Chris also viewed any problem that the Owner had as his problem to solve (regardless of if it was construction related or not) and took personal responsibility to see the problem through to resolution, which meant Chris had to become an IT expert of the Owner’s internal systems at times.”

See comments below from the Owner, as well:

“Superintendent Chris Larkin has been great to work with through all the ups and downs of Saint Paul Public Schools’ Frost Lake Elementary Project. As you recall, this project went to bid just as the world locked down for Covid. A photo album addendum replaced standard pre-bid site visits, and the normal playbook was thrown out the window. Chris rolled with it. Chris kept the project moving and the site safe and organized, even as mask and vaccine mandates were implemented with short notice and fuzzy direction. He dealt with contractors, school staff, neighbors, technology, and occasional ducks and geese with expertise and a bit of humor. While supply chains were unpredictable and school schedules constantly shifted, Chris held the project’s timeline. My former manager, Monica Watkins, described Frost Lake as the project she didn’t have to worry about. This does not happen by accident. My sincere thanks to Chris and the whole Kraus-Anderson Team for making Frost Lake such a positive experience and creating such a wonderful result.” —Rosemary Dolata (SPPS Facilities Department)

“Chris Larkin was amazing to work with throughout the project. He kept me in the loop throughout the whole project, and if any issues came up, he was on top of them right away. He was passionate that things were done right the first time. Chris became known to the whole staff because he ensured that everything was in working order and that the assigned spaces of teachers were complete and functioning properly.” —Melissa Kalinowski (Principal of Frost Lake Elementary)

About the Kraus-Anderson Core Values Award

The KA Core Values Award is presented monthly to a KA employee. Nominated by their peers, business partners, and clients, award recipients are selected based on their representation and practice of KA’s core values:

Integrity: Do the right thing; always be respectful, honest, and fair

Commitment: Take ownership, work hard, and keep promises

Teamwork: Collaborate to foster trust and success for all

Value People: Support each other in a safe, positive environment where people are recognized and appreciated for their contributions