When Phoenix Country Club set out to modernize in the early 1960s, Kitchell defined its future. Founded in 1899, the club had long been a centerpiece of Phoenix’s social scene, and its next chapter called for a clubhouse that reflected both tradition and progress.

In 1961, Kitchell built a contemporary clubhouse designed by Edward L. Varney & Associates. Spanning 68,000 square feet, it elevated the member experience with expanded dining, upgraded locker rooms, 35 guest suites, and new recreational amenities including a pool and additional tennis courts.

The original clubhouse soon gave way to an open terrace, enhancing the sense of space and connection. More than six decades later, the clubhouse Kitchell built in 1961 continues to serve Phoenix Country Club—a defining landmark of design and community.

Sammy Trejo, Project Superintendent, Kitchell Contractors

For Sammy Trejo, construction isn’t just a career—it’s a family legacy. Nearly 35 years ago, Sammy’s father—who spent almost four decades at Kitchell—opened the door for his son to join the team. Sammy’s first assignment? Kitchell’s self-perform concrete division on the Scottsdale Fashion Square Phase 3 project, a massive, fast-paced site that left a lasting impression. Coming from a job bussing tables, Sammy recalls, “holy cow, there is a lot going on everywhere.” That moment ignited a career built on hustle, resilience, and a relentless drive to keep projects moving.

From the Field to the Helm

Sammy’s path wasn’t about shortcuts. He cut his teeth in the trades—boots in the dirt, hands on the tools—before earning his way into management. That climb gave him a ground-level perspective he still carries as a Project Superintendent. Colleagues know him as the one who stares down challenges, adapts under pressure, and pushes projects across the finish line.

His guiding principles? Honesty and integrity. Or, in his words: “Keep the drive, grit and determination to get it done—even when it seems impossible.”

To Sammy, Kitchell’s vision of “Forging the Future of the Built World” isn’t just about innovation—it’s about preparing the next generation. He’s intentional about mentoring field leaders who will uphold Kitchell’s reputation for quality and client trust.

Rising to the Challenge

That determination was on full display during Sammy’s first-ever client interview—a milestone in his nearly 35-year career. Regional Executive Aron Kirch reflects:

“When the team identified Sammy as the best candidate for a complex hospital renovation at Banner Desert, there was absolutely no doubt he would shine in his first client interview. I’ll admit I was a little concerned when his project demands kept him from attending any practice sessions—but once we were in the room, Sammy was Sammy. He exuded confidence and charm, quickly winning over the client and showing them he was the right person to lead this complex build. Sammy is a true Kitchell legend.”

Building More Than Projects

For Sammy, success isn’t measured only by completed structures—it’s about building people. His focus now is developing the next generation to carry forward Kitchell’s grit, determination, and client-first culture.

As he puts it: “Develop and mentor the right people to keep the Kitchell way ongoing.”

Sammy’s story is proof that leadership in construction isn’t handed out—it’s forged through hard work, adaptability, and the courage to step up when it matters most.

 

 

For more than 30 years, Kitchell has been on the front lines of designing and constructing facilities that safeguard communities—fire stations, training centers, and emergency response hubs that serve as lifelines across California and the Southwest. These projects aren’t just buildings; they’re anchors of protection, resilience, and readiness.

It all began in 1994 with the City of Alhambra Fire Station No. 74. Rising from the site of a historic station damaged by an earthquake, the $8.4 million, 6,050-square-foot facility honored its past by preserving original bricks, signage, and decorative concrete—while adding modern dormitories, apparatus bays, and public spaces. This balance of heritage and innovation became a hallmark of Kitchell’s approach.

Since then, Kitchell has delivered more than $1.1 billion in public safety construction, partnering with cities and counties to create purpose-built spaces like:

• City of Chandler – Fire Station 282 Reconstruction, Chandler, AZ
• City of Tempe – Fire Medical Rescue Station No. 2, Tempe, AZ
• City of Novato – Fire Station 64, Novato, CA
• Contra Costa County – Fire Stations 86, 90, 94, 16, 9 & 70, CA
• City of Hayward – Fire Station 6 and Regional Fire Training Center, CA
• Madera County – Fire Station 3, CA
• City of Costa Mesa – Fire Station 1, CA
• San Luis Obispo County – Co-Located Dispatch Facility, Templeton, CA

 

That legacy continues today with multiple public safety projects underway, including the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community – Fire Station #295 in Scottsdale, AZ by the Au’ Authum Ki | Kitchell joint venture. Spanning 79,746 square feet, the new station and resource building blends innovation, functionality, and cultural pride to enhance emergency response, wellness, and training for the Salt River Fire Department.

Some of Kitchell’s most notable projects push beyond single-use design. The 44,000-square-foot LEED Gold San Rafael Public Safety Center co-locates fire, police, EMS, and dispatch services under one roof. The $61.5 million City of Hayward Fire Station and Regional Training Center features nine new structures designed for operational readiness, advanced training, and resilience.

“Fire chiefs want a facility that will last 50 to 60 years and support the well-being of their crews,” says Bill Johal, Kitchell’s public safety expert and Senior Vice President. “We’ve trained our teams to walk onto these projects ready to deliver from day one. We bring the discipline, the know-how, and the experience to get it right.”

Kitchell’s design-build expertise is shaped by direct feedback from veteran fire officials like Mark Heine, a long-time collaborator and Retired Fire Chief. This ensures every project addresses the evolving needs of modern fire departments—gender-inclusive living quarters, decontamination zones, and sustainable systems like rooftop solar.

From the first brick laid in Alhambra to state-of-the-art dispatch centers and multi-functional safety hubs, Kitchell’s public safety facilities are built with technical precision, operational insight, and an unwavering commitment to the communities they serve. They’re made to perform today—and endure for generations.

Few places reflect Phoenix’s transformation more clearly than Park Central—and few builders have been more closely tied to that story than Kitchell. From its earliest days as a dairy farm to today’s dynamic mixed-use campus, Kitchell’s long-term role in the development reflects the impact of building with vision and purpose.

Transforming Farmland into a Community Anchor

In the 1950s, while most saw the site as little more than remote farmland, developers Ralph and A.J. Burgbacher envisioned something far greater—a modern retail destination that would serve a growing city. To bring that vision to life, they turned to Kitchell. In 1957, Kitchell completed Park Central Shopping City: a pioneering 11-acre, open-air retail center featuring modern amenities for its time, like air-conditioning. It was a first for the region and set a new standard for shopping in the Valley.

Decades of Reinvention

As Phoenix grew, Park Central grew with it, and Kitchell remained the trusted builder behind every major transformation:

In 1967, Kitchell added a 240,000-square-foot JCPenney—then the largest suburban department store in the nation—along with a 350-vehicle covered parking garage to shield shoppers from the desert heat. A newspaper photo from the groundbreaking captured the leadership team in white summer tuxedos and cummerbunds, celebrating in classic 1960’s style.

Over the next two decades, Kitchell remained a driving force behind Park Central’s evolution. In 1977, a 33,000-square-foot remodel unified the original mall structures. Just a few years later, in 1980, a new 17,000-square-foot Walgreens expanded the retail mix. By 1985, the site underwent a sweeping update—adding 5,000 square feet of new space, remodeling 45,000 square feet, and constructing 54,000 square feet of new walkways. These phased enhancements helped solidify Park Central’s place as the retail heart of Uptown Phoenix.

By the mid-1980s, Park Central had become one of Arizona’s defining destinations—with Kitchell as its long-term partner in growth.

Delivering the Next Chapter

More than 60 years after its original debut, Park Central entered a new era, and once again, Kitchell helped lead the way. In 2020, partnering with GLHN Architects and Engineers, Kitchell completed the Catalina Parking Garage: a 10-level, 2,000-space facility built on the south side of the campus to meet the growing needs of a revitalized district. As Arizona’s tallest precast parking structure, it was delivered on an accelerated design-build schedule and thoughtfully designed to blend into its surroundings.

Featuring one of the largest public art installations in Arizona, The New Archive brings bold color and meaning to the site—turning the garage into both a civic landmark and a point of pride.

Built to Endure

From delivering Phoenix’s first modern shopping center to constructing Arizona’s tallest precast parking structure, Kitchell has been instrumental in shaping Park Central—creating spaces built not just to last—but to evolve alongside the people and communities they serve.

Misty Perchal, Finance Director, Kitchell Development Company

After nearly 27 years at Kitchell, Misty Perchal continues to forge new ground—both for herself and for the future of Kitchell Development. What began as her first job out of college has evolved into a career marked by growth, adaptability, and a deep understanding of how the business works from the inside out.

Misty’s journey is a testament to advancement in every sense of the word. From early days managing daily cash at Kitchell Corporation to senior accounting roles across multiple business units—including American Refrigeration Supplies (ARS), Kitchell CEM, and the Kitchell stock program—she steadily built a foundation of knowledge that led her to her current role as Finance Director. “I guess you can say I got to see a lot of how Kitchell worked,” she reflects. But it was under the mentorship of Jeff Allen that she found her stride: “Every development deal is different, and that’s what I love the most.”

Along the way, Misty built something just as valuable as financial expertise: strong, trusted relationships. She credits much of her success to the people around her—mentors who shared knowledge, teams who collaborated closely, and partners who challenged her to grow. “Be someone that people can count on,” she says. “Build great relationships with your teams and partners. Take ownership in your work and empower others.”

Her ability to lead with both precision and connection has made her an integral part of Kitchell’s forward momentum. She embraces the mindset that “you’re only as good as your next deal,” keeping her focused on progress, not past wins.

To Misty, Forging the Future of the Built World means staying adaptable and innovative—ready to evolve not just how Kitchell works, but how Kitchell works together.

In Kitchell’s early days, founder Sam Kitchell didn’t just manage projects—he flew to them. With work spread across Arizona, Sam piloted a Piper Tri‑Pacer and later a Cessna 182, often landing right at remote job sites.

One story has lived on in Kitchell history. Flying into Casa Grande, Sam swooped low over a cotton gin project, skimming telephone wires and aiming for a narrow strip of dirt between the unfinished walls and the job trailer. “The laborers hit the dirt,” recalled then superintendent Floyd Swann. “Sam offered me a ride back to Phoenix, but no way was I gonna’ take him up on that offer!”

Sam’s daring flights captured his hands-on leadership style. He was an estimator, supervisor, and pilot all in one—bringing management straight into the field and shaping the get-it-done culture that still defines Kitchell today.

Floyd’s own career took flight too: he progressed from superintendent to senior superintendent in 1980, and ultimately president of Kitchell Contractors-Arizona in 1984—a testament to the growth opportunities and spirit of advancement that have defined Kitchell for 75 years.

Innovation at Kitchell is driven by the field—and often, it looks like a laser‑scanning suit.

Steve Berry, one of Kitchell’s BIM Managers, leads with a hands-on approach to technology, leveraging tools that push the boundaries of construction innovation. From drones and 3D scanners to reality capture and virtual modeling, Steve and the ViCon team equip our project teams with the insight and resources to build smarter and more efficiently.

By bridging advanced technology with real-world application, Steve ensures that innovation is not just a concept, but a daily practice that enhances collaboration, accuracy, and results on every job site.

Watch the video to see how Steve and the ViCon team bring innovation to life in the field.

Kitchell’s story began in the early 1950s with a bold bet on a single project: a Safeway supermarket won through competitive bid. With no revenue and no safety net, Sam Kitchell led operations and estimating, Jim Phillips managed the finances, and Betty Kitchell kept the wheels turning as the company’s first administrator. For three months, the three worked without salaries—driven by grit, belief, and the hope that one job could change everything.

That first win didn’t just launch a project—it launched a company. In the months that followed, Kitchell secured several school contracts in Pinal County and two more Safeway stores through negotiation. By the end of the decade, Kitchell had completed four Safeway supermarkets across the Phoenix area—laying the foundation for a company built to advance, adapt, and endure.

In January 1964, a mule, a plow, and company founder Sam Kitchell marked a humble yet powerful beginning in El Paso, Texas. The groundbreaking at the site of the Rodeway Inn wasn’t just the start of a construction project—it was the foundation of a legacy defined by bold ideas and forward thinking.

From that dirt lot to today’s advanced hospitals, university campuses, and civic spaces across the state, Kitchell has continuously expanded its presence and capabilities in Texas. Over the past six decades, the company has evolved alongside the state—pushing boundaries in how projects are built, teams are led, and communities are served.

Now more than 60 years later, Kitchell’s commitment to innovation and impact remains as strong as ever. What began with a plow and a vision has grown into a lasting legacy of building smarter—and the journey is far from over.

Four decades of cultural partnership, preservation, and purpose with Kitchell.

As a cultural cornerstone of the Southwest, the Heard Museum tells stories that span centuries—and Kitchell has helped shape the spaces where those stories live on. Since its founding in 1929, the Heard has been a celebrated center of Native American art, culture, and storytelling. For more than 40 years, Kitchell has supported that mission through construction expertise, collaborative problem-solving, and cultural stewardship.

Kitchell’s relationship with the Heard Museum began in the early 1980s, when Kitchell CEM led a transformative five-year expansion that more than doubled the museum’s size—from 39,000 to over 76,000 square feet—while preserving its signature Spanish Colonial architecture. In addition to managing the overall project, CEM oversaw construction of the 8,600-square-foot Our Voices, Our Land exhibition, coordinating with national consultants and delivering high-quality results on a tight timeline and budget.

“Professional project management paid for itself.”

—Michael J. Fox, former Director, Heard Museum

Completed gallery space following the 1980’s expansion, led by Kitchell CEM.

A decade later, Kitchell Contractors returned to lead another major transformation—this time as Construction Manager at Risk. Completed in 1999, the project added 50,000 square feet of new space and renovated an additional 18,000 square feet, significantly expanding the museum’s footprint without disrupting its 250,000 annual visitors. Key features included a new main entrance and amphitheater along Central Avenue, upgraded fire and security systems, and the careful preservation of the museum’s open courtyards and distinctive arches. True to Kitchell’s collaborative approach, the team delivered the project in just 16 months—identifying more than $120,000 in savings through strategic value engineering.

Both projects were guided by a central belief: that thoughtful construction can deepen cultural connection. As former Director Martin Sullivan noted:

“Kitchell’s leadership and ability to grasp the complexities of the Heard—from the historic structure and sensitive artwork to our visitors, staff and volunteers—made all the difference in ensuring success.”

Updated interior from the 1999 expansion, which preserved the museum’s cultural integrity.

That legacy continued into the next decade. In 2012, Kitchell completed one of the museum’s most meaningful additions: the first national monument honoring Native veterans who served in the U.S. military. Situated along the western edge of the Heard’s campus, the American Indian Veterans National Memorial features multiple sculptures—including the final monumental work, Unconquered II, by Chiricahua Apache artist Allan Houser.

That spirit of service and cultural reverence is mirrored in the contributions of Kitchell’s founders. Sam and Betty Kitchell were longtime champions of the Heard and its mission, leaving a lasting imprint not only on the museum’s physical spaces but also on its cultural legacy. Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who also served on the museum’s board, once reflected:

“Sam and Betty have contributed to the community throughout their years in Arizona. Sam served for many years on the board of The Heard Museum, where I also served. His leadership there was exceedingly helpful, especially when the museum expanded its facilities. Sam and Betty have been collectors of some fine examples of Native American art, which was nourished in part by their exposure to the Heard.”

Sam Kitchell visiting the Heard Museum in the early 2000s.

Today, the Sam and Betty Kitchell Gallery at the Heard Museum stands as a testament to their vision—and to the idea that advancing the built environment can go hand in hand with honoring heritage, healing, and hope.

Kitchell believes the most meaningful projects aren’t just built—they’re remembered. Cultural projects like the Heard Museum are more than milestones; they serve as touchstones of purpose, partnership, and progress. They reflect the company’s enduring philosophy: that building the future begins by honoring the past—and that lasting impact starts with community.