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Kai Lewars

2025
Title: Principal and Founder
Current / Past Place of Employment: Kaiker Development and Construction
How many years have you been in the region? 8

Ever since Kaiker Development + Construction Principal and Founder Kai Lewars was young, he made it clear that he wanted to be involved in construction. Growing up Kai enjoyed seeing the positive impact that resulted from development and construction projects and their influence in transforming communities, businesses, and residents’ lives for the better. It was only a matter of time until he would realize the role he would play as he focused his education on the many niches of the construction process.

Motivated to excel by witnessing and learning from his family’s wisdom, hardships, and successes, Kai earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and studied Construction Engineering Management at Oregon State University. He began his career interning with Bremik Construction and later with Gores Construction in Portland, OR. Prior to graduating, Kai was offered a full-time salary position with Gores Construction to begin upon graduation as service manager and later took on additional roles as safety and quality control coordinator. Several years later, he accepted a position with the Portland Public Schools as a project manager for facilities and asset management, transitioning his career from construction to an owner’s representative for the school district where he grew up.

After living and working in the Pacific Northwest for most of his life, Kai eventually realized that it was time to make the leap of faith and take the risk to further grow in his career. His father, who had lived in Cincinnati for years, suggested relocating to the Queen City where Kai could take advantage of the real estate development market by growing his personal portfolio of properties as well as finding the right fit within the development and construction industries. In 2016, Kai sold his house, packed his bags, and purchased a portfolio of properties prior to moving to Cincinnati – without knowing anyone in the local development or construction market.

Kai turned over these properties selling some and holding onto others. Slowly gaining traction in the market Kai began offering his CM services to other investors and developers interested in 1–4-unit properties. Realizing the potential in the marketplace was so much more in the high volume residential and light commercial sector, but limited based on his network Kai decided not take any further active projects with KDC beyond his existing rental portfolio and personal small projects. Kai reached out to another up and coming commercial and industrial development and construction management firm that gave him the opportunity to grow in his career by taking on larger projects. Kai was the 2nd Project Manager at Cincinnati-based Terrex Development & Construction managing multi- million dollar projects until June 2021 when he left to scale and grow his own company, Kaiker Development + Construction.

In his free time, Kai enjoys traveling, playing, and watching a variety of sports, attending music concerts, and spending time with his children, family, dogs, and friends. He especially likes being outside during the spring and summer months at music festivals, exploring nature and BBQing.


In 30 seconds or less, tell us who YOU are. This is not your professional bio, but rather, your response should reflect how you are uniquely you.
I’m Kai Lewars, raised to be elite in my endeavors, a dedicated family man, first-generation American, and a passionate builder of both structures and community. I’m someone who values integrity and resilience, carrying forward lessons from my family’s journey and my own experiences in the development and construction industry. I believe in the transformative power of development, not just to change buildings but to uplift neighborhoods and lives.

What is something that most people do not know about you?
Many people don’t know that I made a major leap of faith in my career. After establishing myself in Portland, I moved to Cincinnati without any local connections in the industry as a single- father, simply believing in the potential of the Queen City and my ability to contribute to its growth in a professional capacity to build generational wealth.

What are your personal core values?
My core values are family legacy, innovation, and resilience. I believe in building a foundation that honors my family’s journey and creates opportunities for future generations. Innovation drives me to find creative solutions to complex challenges, especially in development. Resilience keeps me pushing forward, no matter the obstacles, as I strive to create lasting, meaningful change in my community.

What is the primary motivation of your leadership?
My motivation comes from wanting to create lasting, meaningful impacts through my work, particularly in underserved communities. I’m driven by the possibility of leaving places and people better than I found them, and showing my children and the next generation what’s possible with hard work and vision.

What has been the cornerstone of your life journey that influenced your personal mission and purpose?
The cornerstone of my journey has been my firstborn son, Malakai. Becoming a father was a pivotal moment in my life, reminding me of the responsibility to provide at an elite level, not just for myself but for him. Seeing my mother do the same for me as a young, dedicated parent showed me the importance of resilience and sacrifice. Malakai’s presence gave me the drive to push forward with purpose, knowing that I’m building a legacy he can be proud of and one that reflects the same values my mother instilled in me. My love for Malakai has motivated me to think of what I can do to set up future generations for success in my profession.

Who has had an immense impact on you as a leader? How did this person (or people) impact your life?
My mother has had the greatest impact on my life and leadership. Knowing her story, and watching her raise me as a single mother while earning her Master’s degree and excelling in her career taught me the values of resilience and dedication. She was not only a mother but also my greatest teacher, always providing me with opportunities to learn and grow. Summers spent exploring a wide range of activities from sports to music, and even helping with her food cart business showed me firsthand what it takes to be an entrepreneur. Her example has shaped me into a leader who values hard work, integrity, and the drive to create opportunities for others, just as she did for me.

What piece of advice have you received along the way in your career or life journey that has stuck with you?
Early in my career, a coworker I looked up to said, “Predict the future by creating it.” That advice has stayed with me throughout my personal life as well as my career as a Laborer, Intern, Service Manager, Project Manager, Business Owner, and Developer. It reminds me that it’s our responsibility to not only envision success but to actively build it. In every project, I carry that mindset, knowing that the outcome depends on the effort, planning, and dedication we put into it from start to finish.

What one thing makes you most proud?
I’m most proud of founding Kaiker Development + Construction nearly 10 years ago, growing it to what it is today, and knowing there’s still so much more potential including the positive impact it’s had on the community, along with the example it sets for my children. Knowing they see me building a legacy of community transformation and leadership is incredibly fulfilling.

What’s one thing you do every day (or with consistency) to be a better person?
I focus on practicing patience, whether with family, friends, or work associates. Patience allows me to be truly mindful of others’ perspectives and needs, helping me approach situations thoughtfully rather than reactively. It’s a value that strengthens my relationships and enables me to lead with clarity and solutions, ensuring that I’m building connections that are supportive and constructive, both at home and in my professional life.

What are a few resources or behaviors you would recommend to someone looking to grow into a better leader?
I’d recommend finding mentors who challenge and inspire you, reading consistently—especially in personal development and industry insights—and developing a routine of self-reflection to stay aligned with your values and goals.

How do you define success?
Success to me is leaving a positive, lasting impact that goes beyond financial achievements. It’s about creating meaningful change in my community, setting a strong example for my children, and knowing that my work uplifts others.

Why do you choose to make the Cincinnati region home?
My father is the one who first introduced me to Cincinnati. Cincinnati felt like a fresh canvas, full of potential and opportunities for growth. The vibrant community, rich history, and active development I saw here made it the perfect place to build my business, grow my family, and contribute to the city’s development.

In what ways are you involved in the Cincinnati community outside of your professional endeavors?
I enjoy exploring the many Cincinnati communities growing business districts in all of the different neighborhoods. Whether it’s trying new food, or boutique shops, and local services, I enjoy supporting local businesses. I also volunteer time to improvement programs and mentoring youth interested in construction and development. I also support and sponsor local events and volunteer where I can, as I believe community involvement is essential to creating positive change.

What do you imagine for the future of the Cincinnati region?
I envision a Cincinnati region where development is inclusive, with thriving neighborhoods that reflect the diversity of our city. I hope to see more opportunities for underrepresented communities to grow, access quality housing, and participate in the local economy.

What legacy do you hope to leave behind?
I hope to leave an organized legacy of innovation, community-centered development, and resilience. I would Kaiker Development + Construction to be a leading, multi- generational well respected firm. I want to be remembered as someone who not only built buildings but also uplifted people and contributed to the growth of a stronger, more inclusive Cincinnati.

Kai Lewars

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