Skip to main content

About Us

Vision & Goals

The National Institute for Construction of Excellence (NICE) was established in 1998 to design a construction education program which would increase awareness of the potential construction career fields of engineering, architecture, contracting and the skilled trades to young people, parents and educators.

Nice is a 501(c)(3), not for profit organization.

The National Institute for Construction Excellence’s overall vision and goals are to:

  • Develop our future workforce, emphasizing the educational requirements for future career success.
  • Improve education, particularly science, engineering, math and technology for all young people.
  • Desire to attract minorities and women to the career opportunities in construction, targeting urban students for future careers in architecture, engineering and construction.
  • Change the perception of the construction industry among parents, educators, counselors and youth.
  • Strengthen economic development in the community.

NICE believes that students, whether they attend college or not, deserve to have a rewarding career that provides them with a good quality of life. It is our mission at NICE to engage with the students several times a year, beginning in 6th grade and continuing that level of engagement through their senior year in high school.

“We are committed to providing a strong awareness of the positive opportunities that a career within the construction industry offers. Accomplishing our mission means that students not only realize their potential by choosing a career within the construction industry, but in the process the local community benefits by having the next generation involved in both the designing and building a truly sustainable Kansas City region. We strive to make this a reality by partnering closely with schools and industry to improve collaborations and partnerships.”

Nate Zier
Nate Zier

Executive Director

THE NICE DIFFERENCE

It’s one thing to say you build community. It’s another thing to actually do it. We know we wouldn’t be where we are today without the support of our community. That’s why we work every day to pay it forward to the communities we serve.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jeff Jenkins
President
J.E Dunn Construction

Kyle Van Slyke
Vice President
Musselman & Hall Contractors

Bridget Fahey
Past-President
J.M. Fahey Construction Company

Bob Jacobi
Secretary/Treasurer
Labor Management Council

Andy Huber
A.L Huber Construction

Stephanie Conner
Turner Construction

Jeny Erickson
Superior Bowen

Chance Doherty
Doherty Steel, Inc.

Trish Paulson
VanTrust Real Estate

Bob Jacobi
Secretary-Treasurer
Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

Travis Downing
McCownGordon Construction

Craig Nagel
McCarthy Building

Sam Alpert
Building Owners and Managers Assoc.

Jordan Wilcosky
Garney Construction

Natalya Steinke
Cerris Builders

Brent Wehmeyer
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City

Lemartt Holman
Spire

Daniel Serda
LISC Greater Kansas City
(Advisory Member)

Romond Holt
The Builders’ Association

Janet Storey
Foley Industries, Inc.

Verdis Green
Kiewit

Mike White
MoKan Laborers Training Center
(Advisory Member)

Nate Zier
NICE KC Executive Director

Vince Pianalto
U.S. Engineering