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Kornhaas Celebrates 25 Years
of Service to Ardmore
By Cynthia Teed, Staff Writer
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Jim Patron left
visits with Kim Kornhaas Thursday during the Kornhaas Construction open house. The company celebrated its 25th anniversary.
Staff Photo/Steve Biehn
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The name is German. It means quality in English.
From drawing boards to building sites, Kornhaas Construction Inc. has produced first-class projects in and around Ardmore
for the past 25 years.
The company started in 1973 when M.J. Kornhaas began constructing single-family houses. Today, Kornhaas Construction Inc., with 47
employees, is under the direction of M.J.'s son M. Kim, and specializes in commercial and industrial building. M. Kim Kornhaas is president-elect of the Oklahoma Division of the
Associated General Contractors of America and a board member of the Ardmore Chamber of Commerce.
"Kim has always been able to tackle anything we gave him. We scratch it out on
paper or use architectural drawings," Bill Goddard said. "He always does a good job and saves us money."
The company built the Ranch Airstrip and large to small employee ranches from new construction to renovations for Goddard.
One of Goddard's favorite projects, Oak Hill Episcopal School, was built by
Kornhaas when Goddard served on the school's board of directors.
Kornhaas Construction, Inc. presently lists Uniroyal Goodrich Alterations, the
Noble Foundation Library, First National Bank's 12th Avenue NW branch, the HFV Wilson Community Center Gymnasium and CSR PolyPipe in Gainesville,
Texas, as a few of its projects in progress. Ardmore has experienced more growth in the last five to six years than any time since he came back here, said
Kim Kornhaas. Modest and unassuming, he won't take credit for the company's success. He attributes most of his success to the people who work for him.
Employees Cliff Davis and Charles Branch were recently honored for 15 years of service. Jerry Antuna, Fred Pruitt and Ernie Glotta received 10‑year awards.
Hard work doesn't faze Kornhaas who began his career working as a laborer for
his father during his summers off from working on his degree in Environmental Design from the University of Oklahoma. Today he runs one of the few
construction companies in Oklahoma honored for its safety record by the Associated General Contractors of America
"The success of Kornhaas construction shows what can happen when
community businesses support community efforts," Ardmore Development Authority president Wes Stuck said.
Recently completed projects include, the Noble Foundation Quadraplex and
Plant Biology Lab, Noble Stadium, Uniroyal Mini Tire Expansion and construction for Southwestern Bel in Madill.
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