Kuney Construction becomes Water to Wine Auction Presenting Sponsor
Kuney Construction has stepped up to be the presenting sponsor for the Forum’s Water to Wine Auction being held June 3rd at Arbor Crest Wine Cellars. Said President Max Kuney, “We’re a Spokane based, family owned business that started in 1930. Our model is to work in the Northwest, including giving back to and partnering with the local community.”
Said Vice President Dan Kuney, “What’s more Spokane than supporting people enjoying, restoring and cleaning up the Spokane River? We look forward to seeing others committed to this great river at the event.”
Kuney specializes in what’s called “heavy civil” construction, which the rest of us think of as building and repairing roads, bridges and dams. Their “riverprint” on the Spokane River is becoming more evident each year. Heading downstream from Post Falls, the Kuney Construction tour includes projects at Post Falls Dam, Harvard Road Bridge, T. J. Meenach Bridge, and Nine Mile Dam. Currently, they are building the Sullivan Road Replacement Bridge in Spokane Valley. If you open the Kuney time capsule, you’ll also find they built the Opera House (now known as the INB Performing Arts Center)as part of EXPO ’74.
Beyond Spokane, Kuney’s river work includes projects on the Skagit, Columbia, Clark Fork, Snake, Grand Ronde, Willamette and more. Their commitment to environmental stewardship and hiring locally is a core principle. Said Max, “Working on the river is not for the faint of heart. We deal with river flows, fish migration and operational issues you just don’t find in other projects. Some of it is as simple as imagining the difference between setting a crane on a platform that has movement rather than dry land. Other things like triple containment on work platforms that extend over the river are needed to make sure mechanical fluids and other things from our work don’t end up in the river.”
From a business perspective, Kuney’s Spokane roots run deep throughout the company. “Our civil engineering and construction management employees are primarily a mix of WSU and Gonzaga grads, and people who have moved here in large part because of what Spokane has to offer,” said Dan Kuney. “They’re attracted to outdoor recreation, good schools and other services that make this a great place to raise a family. Couple that with missing out on the traffic and cost of living issues in large cities, and we can keep attracting great employees.”
As for giving and stepping up in the community, both Kuney’s quickly point to “Mom,” Shelly Kuney. “None of us,” said Max, “can keep up with her. She was a founder of the Guild School, a leader in Junior League and Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO), and currently has turned her energy towards helping start the Mobius Science Center. I can’t even guess the number of non-profit boards she’s been on.”
In addition to Max and Dan, this generation of Kuney’s include two sisters, Lori Sawyer and Valerie Whitman. Together, their community involvement continues Mom’s leadership by supporting non-profits such as the Boys and Girls Club, Ronald McDonald House, Mobius Science Center, and Hutton Settlement.
The Forum is, indeed, very fortunate to have Kuney Construction step-up to be Water to Wine’s Presenting Sponsor.