Archive for August 2015
REAL ESTATE NOTEBOOK: CONSTRUCTION EXEC STARTS OWN BUSINESS
Rex Kirby, former president of Suffolk Construction in West Palm Beach, has launched his own South Florida business, Verdex Construction.
Verdex, based in West Palm Beach, will handle projects across the region, including the construction of Sabbia Beach, a 19-story condominium in Pompano Beach, and the expansion of the North Palm Beach County Airport west of West Palm Beach.
The company also is building a 95-room hotel as part of a renovation of the Florida Keys Country Club in Marathon.
Verdex is backed financially by Index Investment Group of Jupiter.
Kirby, 58, started with Suffolk in 1999, hired to grow its business outside of the company\’s Boston base. While with Suffolk, he also headed the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County.
” I now have great respect for people who have started their own companies,” Kirby said. “Your neck is totally on the line. It’s definitely different and keeps you up at night when you know you have to make it work.”
CONSTRUCTION VETERAN LAUNCHES VERDEX
Construction Veteran and Entrepreneur Rex Kirby Launches Verdex
West Palm Beach, FL – August 10, 2015 – 35-year construction veteran and entrepreneur Rex Kirby is building his newest project, his own company, Verdex Construction, LLC (Verdex). Kirby, a business leader and key contributor to the Palm Beach County landscape for more than 15 years, has a new vision and intends to make the name Verdex synonymous with quality and service-oriented construction in South Florida. The company has already secured three sizeable projects and has hired two experienced estimators to the team. Kirby’s experience in this industry and market coupled with a strong financial backing lays the foundation for a solid business venture.
Verdex is owned in part by Rex Kirby and Index Investment Group, a Jupiter-based investment firm growing their presence in the Florida market with projects such as The Dakota apartments in Abacoa, the Riverwalk Pointe apartments in Jupiter, the expansion of the Northern Palm Beach County Airport, and the RIVA condominium in Ft. Lauderdale. Kirby will lead the operations serving as founder and president of Verdex while Index Investment Group will provide financing and the ability to bond larger projects. Kirby is committed to South Florida and is impassioned about being a new choice for a construction partner in this booming market.
“I am extremely proud of my work and contributions to the South Florida landscape and with Verdex I am looking forward to providing more attention and exceptional service by being personally involved with projects,” said Kirby. “I learned a lot along the way and have a strong sense of what works and what doesn’t. From software, systems, communication and even accounting, I’ve been involved on every level and I am set on building a better model and
providing better service. This is not a start-up; this is a continuation of what I’ve accomplished over my entire career.”
Kirby has hit the ground running in his first few months by securing three sizable projects and sees a plethora of opportunity with construction booming all over Florida. Verdex will work on the expansion of the North Palm Beach County Airport with the construction of office space and a new 30,000 sq. ft. hangar that will house aircraft maintenance and a pilot training facility for Platinum Aviation. A second project in the Florida Keys will include a new 95-unit hotel as part of the renovation of the Florida Keys Country Club in Marathon. The project will also include golf course renovation, a new clubhouse, workforce housing, and 15 private villas. Verdex has also secured the construction of Sabbia Beach, a modern 300,000 sq.-ft., 19-story, luxury condominium in Pompano Beach that boasts 73 units and includes oceanfront views along with full-height glass wall living spaces and expansive glass-lined balconies. Kirby has also brought on two experienced and respected Senior Estimators, Brad Stull and Darin Newell to help him build this portfolio and manage projects.
Kirby has over 35 years of construction experience throughout the state of Florida and is a licensed professional engineer and certified general contractor in the state. Kirby has climbed the construction ladder, advancing his career from project manager and operations manager to later division manager and regional president. His latest step now brings him to a lifelong goal of building his own business and building it his way. At his former employer, Kirby grew the annual revenues from $60 million to over $400 million, making it one of the largest and most respected construction companies in South Florida. He is now poised to bring Verdex to the same level of success through personal attention, efficient and streamlined operations, and strategic partners. Kirby is intent on living up to the Verdex motto, “Building Something Better.”
About Verdex Construction
Verdex Construction is a privately held building contractor based in West Palm Beach, FL, led by founder and President Rex Kirby, a 35-year veteran in the construction business. Verdex provides general contracting services to clients including preconstruction, construction management, and design-build. Verdex is committed to “building something better” through exceptional service, a fundamental focus on safety and quality, and value to owners, customers and the community.