December 22, 2014
Ken Coleman looks back at his career, starting with a
Tinkertoy Space Needle
 The founder of Compass Construction says he is not retiring, ‘just turning the page.'
By BENJAMIN MINNICK
Journal Construction Editor
Thirty five years ago Ken Coleman got a job working at Howard S. Wright when Howard
actually ran the company, so he said he learned from one of the best.
After about 20 years there, Coleman decided he didn't want to be an employee and formed
a construction management company called Compass Construction. He started with five
employees and one client, and now the company has grown to 120 employees with 16
projects under construction.
Now Coleman has made another big decision: to leave Compass.
“I am not retiring,” he said, “just turning a page.”
Coleman
The 61-year-old Coleman said he will reconnect with his roots as an artist and also develop some small mixed-use
projects. He also might open a speakeasy/music venue in Atrium, the apartment project he is building in the Mount
Baker neighborhood.
Coleman said he wants to leave on a high note, while he is still young enough and healthy enough to explore. He said
too many friends made the move too late and lost that chance.
Dan Selin has taken over as president of Compass and Pete Anderson, an original employee, is continuing as vice
president. Both have 35 years of experience.
Here are some of the projects Compass has built: Alley 24 for Vulcan, Belcarra and Taylor 28 apartments for BRE,
Chloe Apartments for Barrientos and Press Apartments for Harbor Properties. Clients are Continental Properties,
Greystar, Wolff, Steelhead Real Estate and Mack Urban.
Coleman took a few questions from the DJC:
Q: When did you know you wanted a career in construction?
A: Back in the day when kids had actual toys (not electronic devices), I built a Tinkertoy floor-to-ceiling Space Needle
accessed by a bunk bed with a string-operated elevator. I suppose that was the first indication. I have always loved
creating things in three dimensions.
Q: Why did you start a company?
A: I got tired of working as a general contractor's employee and wanted to control my own destiny. It was a good
decision, an excellent experience and I never looked back.
Q: What was your favorite project?
A: Each project is unique and challenging in their own ways, and I have a few favorites. Alley 24 was our first
integration of an existing brick structure with new construction on a large scale. The Belcarra in Bellevue had amazing
finishes in the common areas and amenity spaces. The Chloe Apartments is a little jewel at the edge of Capitol Hill.
Q: What was your biggest challenge?
A: The market downturn during 2009–10. There was no work; our staff was down to a skeleton crew and I was
subsidizing the business. There was a point when I considered shutting the doors. But it takes a lot of work to develop
a brand and reputation, and I had faith that the Seattle market would eventually rebound. So I toughed it out and am
glad I did.
Q: How do you find good subcontractors?
A: Actually qualified subcontractors find Compass and are loyal because we pay timely and staff projects to maximize
efficiency so they can turn a profit. New employees can bring new subcontractors and Compass has tried mining
subcontractors from other Northwest cities with some success.
Q: What is the biggest change you've seen?
A: Sophistication in assemblies and systems, and improved products in mixed-use construction. Additional
consultant inspections and quality control checks have vastly improved the durability and quality of this product type.
Q: Any advice for someone just starting out?
A: Get hands-on field experience. Computers are critical but not everything. Understanding the practical nature of
assembling construction materials is essential to managing the work and working with the trades. This experience can
help determine your direction: field or office. There are people who naturally drift to the field supervision side, and
those who have a stronger aptitude and enjoyment for office paperwork. Internships are a great way to get this
exposure. During this experience take the time to get out of the construction trailer and in the field to watch the
process up close and personal. Knowledge gains respect.
Q: Tell us more about your speakeasy idea.
A: The Atrium Apartment was a deep dig remediation site so we ended up with a basement with 12-foot ceilings — the
perfect “man-cave.” A speakeasy/music venue will be part of my Plan B. In case that doesn't work, I will be sharing
the bar area with a yoga studio. How's that for the ultimate “flex-space”?
Q: What's one thing about you that might surprise people?
A: I went on a Mormon mission to Australia trying to convince them not to drink beer. I called it mission impossible.