KAI proudly announces that Paul Giacoletto has joined the firm as president of KAI Build.
As president, Giacoletto will lead KAI Build’s strategic direction and operations, championing KAI’s mission to deliver excellence in every project while driving operational efficiency and expanding capabilities. His strategic vision and forward-thinking approach will support KAI Build’s continued growth and leadership in the construction industry, setting new benchmarks for client satisfaction and project delivery.
“Paul brings a high level of creativity and a strong growth mindset, along with deep experience in preconstruction and development, expertise that is invaluable to owners working to close deals and move projects forward,” said Michael B. Kennedy, CEO of KAI. “His leadership style is defined by integrity, inclusiveness and a relentless focus on both quality and safety. He has built strong teams, mentored rising leaders, and fostered a culture of collaboration and innovation. His ability to motivate and empower those around him has been instrumental in consistently delivering outstanding results for clients and partners across a variety of complex projects.”
Giacoletto has more than 45 years of experience in construction, architecture, and real estate development, encompassing a broad range of projects, including mixed-use developments, multifamily housing, industrial adaptive reuse, high-rise construction, hospitality venues, and historic restoration.
He has skillfully led teams through all phases of development, including zoning, entitlements, predevelopment cost analysis, contract negotiations, and project closeout. He demonstrates extensive expertise in the preconstruction phase across multiple construction types and is adept at generating conceptual pricing with minimal documentation, as well as preparing final bid presentations for clients. His portfolio includes projects utilizing state and federal historic tax credits, brownfield tax credits, HUD-financed programs, and MBE participation.
“In his capacity as an organizational leader, Paul has effectively established new business units and startup ventures while consistently maintaining profit-and-loss responsibilities,” Kennedy said. “His achievements are driven by a strong focus on cultivating company culture and philosophy, which are critical to advancing success for all stakeholders.”
Prior to joining KAI Build, Giacoletto served as president of Green Street Building Group, a local construction company specializing in large multifamily and hospitality projects. Additional roles include vice president and market leader at St. Louis-based PARIC Corporation and 18 years in various positions including senior vice president and partner at Clayco, also based in St. Louis.
“I’m excited to join KAI and build on the strong foundation already in place at KAI Build,” said Paul Giacoletto. “The firm’s momentum, entrepreneurial mindset and commitment to smart growth create a tremendous opportunity to expand our capabilities, strengthen client partnerships and advance projects that make a lasting impact in the communities we serve.”
Over the course of his career, Giacoletto has helped deliver more than 2,750 multifamily units; more than 600 hotel rooms; and more than 2 million square feet of industrial, office, and mixed-use space, contributing to construction, business development, and leadership efforts valued at more than $1.8 billion.
Notable projects in Giacoletto’s portfolio include:
- Ballpark Village Live – $22 million restaurant and entertainment venue in downtown St. Louis
- River City Business Center – $32 million speculative bulk warehouse in St. Louis
- The Pennant Building – $45 million, eight-story Class A office building and parking garage in St. Louis
- One Cardinal Way – $104 million, 25-story high-rise with 296 apartments in downtown St. Louis
- Nine 27 Apartments – $18 million, five-story apartment building in New Orleans, La.
Giacoletto attended the school of architecture at Washington University in St. Louis and holds an associate degree in applied sciences from Southwestern Illinois College. With Giacoletto as president, KAI Build continues its commitment to transforming communities through strong leadership, trusted partnerships, and impactful construction projects. His role strengthens the firm’s leadership team and positions KAI Build for continued growth.