Granger Project Manager Kurt Kersjes sees construction as more than the work of building; it’s the opportunity to create meaningful spaces for others.
Kurt’s path into the industry began early, working summers for his aunt’s roofing company while still in high school. Although Kurt initially enrolled at Western Michigan University to pursue engineering, he soon realized it wasn’t the right fit. Encouraged by his parents and guided by a family connection, Kurt quickly found his footing at Ferris State University’s Construction Management program. That decision led to an internship with Granger—an opportunity that would mark the beginning of his career.
Since joining Granger, Kurt has grown beyond mastering the construction process, developing strong leadership, communication and client management skills.
Colleagues describe Kurt as someone who leads with integrity, communicates with clarity, and approaches every situation with humility. His dedication to delivering high-quality, “punch-list-free” work, combined with his consistent presence on site, reinforces confidence among clients and trade partners alike.
Mentors across the organization, including Kyle Oberdorf, Tom Theis, Rob Hoffman and Brad Hesche have played a key role in shaping his career. Still, Kurt credits his parents for laying the foundation early on, instilling values of humility, work ethic and appreciation for the everyday.
Nowhere are those values more meaningful than in the healthcare spaces Kurt helps deliver. Working in active hospital environments requires precision, empathy and constant awareness of the people just beyond the construction zone. For Kurt, the purpose behind the work is always top of mind.
That purpose became especially real during the completion of the James B. Fahner, M.D. Outpatient Clinic at the Ethie Haworth Children’s Cancer Center project. Near the end of construction, a young patient and caregiver quietly stepped into the nearly finished space, curious to see what was coming. Kurt and the team welcomed them in, walking through the new clinic together. As they moved through the space, the caregiver became emotional, sharing how much the improved environment would mean for families like theirs.
“That moment stuck with me,” Kurt said. “These projects aren’t just buildings; they’re spaces where people receive life-changing care.”
Kurt’s thoughtful approach doesn’t go unnoticed. According to Corewell Health Senior Facilities Project Managers, Matthew Hoekzema and David Potter, “Kurt has continually gone above and beyond to care for not only his Granger teammates, his trusted trade partners, and Corewell Staff, but also some of the most vulnerable patients in the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. It is not uncommon to see Kurt interacting in the lobby with pediatric patients who are enamored with his hard hat, high-vis vest, or his constantly rotating collection of different baseball caps! He has been a fantastic partner, always putting the client first and never hesitating to go the extra mile. Corewell Health is a better place when Kurt Kersjes is here.”
This commitment to the facilities end users was on full display during a recent giveback effort at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. Partnering with trade partners and teammates, Kurt helped organize a project-wide initiative that raised more than $11,000 to support patients and families. The team assembled over 30 age-specific gift baskets, bringing comfort and encouragement to those staying on the hospital’s ninth floor. “It was a powerful reminder of what a project team can accomplish when everyone pulls together for something bigger than the job itself,” Kurt said. “That’s something I’ll always be proud of.”
Guided by a piece of advice he carries with him each day—be a sponge; there is always something to learn from everyone in the room—Kurt continues to grow, lead and build with purpose.
For Kurt, the most rewarding part of the job is simple: seeing the finished product and understanding its long-term impact. “You look at the space and think about the people who will use it—the staff, the patients, the community,” he said. “Knowing it will make a difference for years to come… that never gets old.”
