Ken Baumgartner
Director - Preconstruction Choate Construction Co.
Ken Baumgartner is the Director of Preconstruction at Choate Construction, where he helps lead and grow the firm’s Nashville office after spending more than four decades in the industry, including 33 years dedicated to preconstruction. With a bachelor’s degree in Construction Management from Colorado State University–Pueblo, Ken built his career across Colorado’s Front Range and Southern Wyoming, contributing to projects ranging from under $1,000 to more than $260 million.
Since joining Choate just over four years ago, he has focused on strengthening client relationships, elevating team development, and supporting the continued expansion of Choate’s Nashville presence. Ken’s professional philosophy centers on helping others become better versions of themselves, doing the right thing even when it’s not the easiest path, and relentlessly pursuing the project opportunities that others might consider long shots. Outside of work, he enjoys old muscle cars, NASCAR, Broncos football, getting outdoors, and tackling small projects around the house.
Seminars
- Identifying new market sectors that fit with your business’ expertise and capabilities, and can sustain company growth
- Evaluating the common differences in bidding frameworks from one market to the next to inform new business development approaches, resourcing and bid structures
- Finding ways to expedite establishing trusting relationships with new suppliers and trade contractors
- Evaluating when the best time is to broach the topic of cost volatility and tariff impacts on the project
- Educating clients on the reality of pricing quotations in the current market and how this impacts their decision-making timelines if they want to lock in ‘best price’
- Bridging initial conversations regarding potential cost fluctuations and client’s benchmark data with the cost realities as timelines progress and shifts occur
