Leading Seattle-Area Commercial Builder Promotes Three, Prepares Company for Future
KIRKLAND, Wash. (Feb. 4, 2019) — Compass Construction today announced that former Vice President, Frank Stauff, has been named President at the company, effective immediately. As part of its executive-team reorganization, Compass also promoted Vice President, Ryan Ames, to Senior Vice President, Director of Operations, and Steve Ulrich, formerly General Superintendent at the Kirkland-based company, to Vice President, General Superintendent.
In making the announcement, Compass said that the new leadership team will continue to build on the company’s strong reputation as one of the region’s premier multi-family builders, decades of local work experience and long-standing ability to deliver innovative solutions to both clients and project partners.
“It’s an honor to be given the opportunity to lead a company that is so invested in not only the success of its people and clients, but in the future of the community at-large,” said Stauff, who has spent his entire career serving companies in the local built environment.
He continued, “Along with my executive colleagues, we are well positioned to take the company into the future with a strong backlog and talented field teams in place. At the end of the day, this is a relationship business, and we take pride in those that we have developed with our clients, subcontractors and employees.”
As President, Stauff will lead the strategic direction of the company while overseeing all phases of Compass’s business, including pre-construction, estimating, business development and operations. He joined Compass Construction in 2016, bringing a background in design/build multi-family construction as a developer, general contractor and consultant. Stauff’s experience ranges from high-rise to podium style projects in both the for-rent and for-sale product categories. He e Hehas a philosophy of building long term relationships by driving job performance and creating value for clients. Stauff received his Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management from the University of Washington, as well as a Certificate in Commercial Real Estate Development, also from the University of Washington. Stauff became LEED-accredited in January 2009.
In his new role, Ames will oversee the day-to-day project management activities at Compass Construction, as well as provide support to Stauff on a variety of strategic company initiatives. He will ensure consistency in process and procedure across all project teams, assuring best practices are implemented throughout Compass’s portfolio of projects. He will also be responsible for all training and professional development within the company.
With more than 15 years of local industry experience, Ames has successfully managed nearly every aspect of the commercial-construction process. Since joining Compass in 2012, he has been involved with a range of construction-project types — from infill townhomes to mixed-use residential, luxury assisted living communities and condominiums. Prior to joining Compass, Ames was a Project Engineer at Kiewit in Los Angeles, and a Project Manager at Intracorp in Seattle. Ames holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management from the University of Washington.
A longtime Compass team member, Ulrich has been instrumental in the company’s successful growth in the Puget Sound region. In his new position, Ulrich will help to lead Compass in all phases of growth, while maintaining his responsibilities as General Superintendent for the company in charge of field operations. Responsibilities will include scheduling, safety, quality control and, most importantly, providing senior oversight to Compass’ field teams.
Ulrich has more than 40 years of experience in the local construction industry, as well as a strong background in all phases of construction — from pre-construction through closeout. Since starting at Compass in 2011, Ulrich has participated in the construction of mixed-use, condominiums, assisted living and multi-family projects, among other product types. Prior to Compass, he served as a Superintendent at Swanson and Dean, both Project Manager and Senior Superintendent at Continental Properties, and a Senior Superintendent at Prescott Homes. Ulrich graduated from Washington Vocational College in 1979.
About Compass ConstructionFounded by Ken Coleman in 1998, Compass has partnered with many of the region’s most successful developers and owners to create remarkable and award-winning projects throughout the Puget Sound. With over 20 years’ experience specializing in wood-frame apartment buildings and senior living communities, Compass has become an established local general contractor and a recognized leader in the mixed-use/multi-family market segment.
