Mike Brady.

• Author: BONHAM, NICOLE A.
• Position: Ken Brady Construction Company Inc. - Interview

Ken Brady Construction Company Inc.

A lifelong Alaskan born in the territory in 1952, Mike Brady leads one of Alaska's long-running construction companies with a balanced hand of trade and business savvy.

At the helm of Ken Brady Construction Company Inc. of Anchorage, Brady spent from 1966 to 1976 working in the construction trades, also wracking up business education at Anchorage Community College, Gonzaga University and eventually a bachelor's degree at Oregon State University.

Brady's professional and civic influence is strong in his 68 circle of industry. He is past director of the Alaska Chapter of Associated General Contractors, also a management trustee of Alaska Laborers-Employers Trust. Brady is an ex officio board member and past chair of the Anchorage Economic Development Corp.

Ken and Dorothy Brady founded the now second-generation Alaskan company in 1954. It's one that has since grown to statewide prominence, with a unique half-century of perspective concerning the cyclic trends typical of Alaska's construction industry.

Mike Brady recently shared some of that insight with Alaska Business Monthly.

ABM: It takes ingenuity to overcome the challenges of doing business in a cold climate. Specifically, what makes doing business in Alaska different from projects in more temperate climates?

Brady: Projects in Alaska are more dependent upon proper planning and efficient use of manpower and equipment than projects in more temperate climates. This is due to the harsh working conditions in the winter season in terms of productivity and efficiency.

The penalties for late delivery of materials or failure to realize construction milestones as planned-i.e. building enclosure--are very significant, both in terms of project cost and project completion time.

I think that successful Alaska contractors tend to be more productive and schedule-driven than their counterparts outside. The stakes are higher here.

ABM: How does your company meet such environmental challenges? What unique logistics are required? In essence, what sort of planning is required to offset delays and other weather-related factors?

Brady: Planning and communication are the keys to successful projects in Alaska. In most cases, the success of the project is determined before the actual construction starts. Coordination among the contractor, suppliers, subcontractors, owner and design team early in the project is crucial. All of these parties must agree on a timetable and a plan...