Press Releases
Robert Kettler Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award
NVBIA Recognizes Kettler's Contributions at the Monument Awards
November 3, 2006
Robert C. Kettler, founder of Kettler (formerly KSI Services, Inc.) was honored with the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association's (NVBIA) Lifetime Achievement Award at their annual Monument Awards program last night.
The Monument Awards program is the most prestigious residential design competition in the metropolitan Washington market. Builders, architects and design professionals have judged the awards for more than 40 years.
"Robert Kettler provides unwavering direction for his firm and has inspired his team to create award-winning communities that reflect superior design and architectural integrity," said Debbie Rosenstein, industry research analyst, who presented Kettler the award. "Though these accomplishments are impressive, if you were to ask him what his proudest achievement is, his response would be that his company is creating exceptional communities that enhance lives."
A third-generation Washington-area developer, Robert Kettler founded the firm, a private real estate company in 1977. Kettler has grown from a one-man operation to more than 450 employees, becoming the largest land development firm in the Washington Metro area and one of the nation’s top 20 multifamily developers.
Under Kettler’s leadership, the company has assembled, master-planned, zoned, and developed many of the largest planned communities in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area, comprised of over 50,000 homes covering nearly 20,000 acres. Examples include Sully Station, Virginia Run, Piedmont, Lorton Station, Cascades, Potomac Station, Port Potomac, and Prince William Town Center.
In addition, Kettler’s firm developed and owns a majority interest in a portfolio of more than 8,000 apartments in the Washington Metro area, all of which are managed by Kettler with 6,200 providing affordable housing. Another 3,500 are in production or in the pipeline for acquisition or construction. Most recently, the firm has developed a line of award-winning condominiums with locations in Reston, Shirlington, Bethesda, Largo and Alexandria.
Kettler’s business plan for Kettler includes multiple projects and diversification. The firm has a unique ability to weather economic downturns, due to the counter-cyclical nature of for-sale real estate and the apartment industry. Through development, new construction and renovation, Kettler brings approximately 2,000 units to market per year and the units are put into service based on the need of the market. As market conditions change, Kettler continues to adapt. Today the company is focusing on higher density suburban planned communities with multifamily components and urban revitalization and infill development near multi-modal transportation centers.
"I am grateful and overwhelmed to be honored with such a prestigious award,” said Kettler. “It validates the 30 years of hard work provided by all of the members of the Kettler team."
Kettler has exemplified leadership within his own company, as well as the community. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association, the Northern Virginia Political Action Committee, and the Washington Metropolitan Area Boys Club. He is on the Board of Trustees of The Potomac School in McLean, VA. He has also served on advisory boards at George Mason University and Northern Virginia Community College. His firm recently bought the naming rights to the Kettler Capitals Iceplex which serves as the training center for the NHL’s Washington Capitals and also serves the greater community.
Earlier this week, the company announced it was changing its corporate name and brand by adopting the last name of its founder and chairman.
About Kettler
Based in Northern Virginia, Kettler (formerly KSI Services, Inc.) is a leading developer of award-winning, mixed-use residential and commercial properties across the Washington Metropolitan area. In 2006, Kettler was named one of the area’s largest private companies by the Washington Business Journal and is one of the nation’s top 20 multifamily developers. Kettler has developed more than five million square feet of commercial space and more than 50,000 homes. Current projects include urban and transit-oriented developments, multifamily housing, commercial and mixed-use developments and resort communities. Robert C. Kettler, a third-generation builder and developer, founded Kettler in 1977.