| Expert Services |
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- Banks & Lending - Construction Mgmt. - Damage Assessment - Transition Inspections - Expert Witness - Company Designations - Examples of Our Work |
| Our Mission |
| Your project, no matter how big or small, will be performed to the highest standards, on time and on budget.
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Karen Blackerby
President - Chief Executive Officer
After graduating with distinction with a BS degree from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Karen was recruited by Hallmark Cards, Inc. to join their product management team in Kansas City, Missouri. Her highly successful career with Hallmark included managing the development and profitability of greeting cards and gift wrap product lines with sales of $115+ million annually.
Karen’s tenure with Hallmark included cross-training in sales management and a move to Southern California. Positions of District Sales Manager and National Account Executive involved accountability for coordinating the activity of 150 sales people throughout the country within a multi-million dollar annual operating budget. In recognition of sales and character leadership, Karen was a two-time recipient of Hallmark’s prestigious national RB Hall Award.
In March of 2000, Karen brought her professional business experience to her family businesses – Robert Blackerby & Associates, LLC, and The Magnum Companies. As co-founder of Magnum Capital, Karen has been involved in all facets of commercial real estate development from condominiums, shopping centers, hotels, senior housing, and other residential and commercial projects. As Vice President of Magnum Capital Hospitality, LLC, Karen has been involved in all aspects of running a 300-seat casual dining restaurant.
In November 2008, Karen along with Faye Dunn founded KAFA, LLC; a management, maintenance and construction company. As President, Karen is responsible for directing the day-to-day operations. In a short period of time, KAFA has secured contracts with major corporate clients and is CCR registered as a woman-owned small business. Throughout her career, Karen has been involved in various business leadership organizations. Currently, she is a member of CREW Orlando (Commercial Real Estate Women).
Karen believes it is important to participate and give back to the community. Currently, she serves as Secretary of the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce Executive Board of Directors, chairs Navigator (the beach chamber’s small business initiative), co-chairs the Bay County “NO on Amendment 4” campaign, and serves as Treasurer of the Bay County Chapter of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association.
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Faye Dunn |
Faye brings over twenty-five years and a broad range of business expertise to KAFA Construction. Prior to forming KAFA with Karen Blackerby, Faye worked in management positions and was responsible for guest satisfaction and store profitability for such companies as Marriott, Radisson, Red Roof Inn and Ruby Tuesday's.
Faye's passion for the development and construction business stems from her family's involvement in real estate and construction. Faye is involved in all aspects of the real estate development and construction business including evaluating development opportunities, project management and customer satisfaction.
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Harvey Gershen |
Harvey's resume details the vast quantity, as well as, the diversification of his construction experience. His vast building experience includes construction management, construction of high-rise condominiums through twenty-six stories, additions and renovations of institutional and government buildings, shopping centers and P.U.D.s, as well as, design/building of shopping centers and custom homes.
AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE
General and Sub-Contracting, Construction Management, Contract Administration, Scheduling, Estimating, Purchasing, General Field Supervision, Safety Analysis, Concrete Forming Systems and Placement. Over the past (15) years, he has also worked as a Building Consultant and Expert Witness for various bonding and insurance companies involving Forensic Investigations, Consulting, Structural Damage Assessment, Claims Analysis, Litigation Support and Expert Witness Testimony
GCCI - BUILDING CONSULTANTS
In 1996 he established GCCI, Gershen Construction Management & Consultants Inc., to serve clients needs throughout the Panhandle, from Panama City to Gulf Shores Alabama.
PROFESSIONAL STATUS
State Certified General Contractor Since 1984 CGC 031783 (40) Years of Construction Experience (25) Years Qualified Expert Witness in Florida Courts
CONTINUING EDUCATION
1986 – 2009 Registered Florida Windstorm Insurance Umpire.
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Robert Ray “Beau” Blackerby |
After receiving his B.S. from Florida State in 2007, Beau relocated to the Orlando area. While in Orlando, Beau attended Rollins University, where he received his Masters in Business Administration, and worked in the Business Development department of Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.
Beau has been working on the Lamey Bridge Senior Development Project (an independent senior living development with 118 units located in D’Iberville, Mississippi) in a full-time capacity as VP of Operations since departing Disney in March of 2010. He has been involved in site selection, project budgeting, negotiations, and several other facets of the business.
Beau has previous experience with Magnum in a part time capacity and has been very active in the Leadership community and is a graduate of several exclusive programs including: The Gallup Leadership School and The Woodrow Wilson Leadership Academy.