PRESIDENT

With over 30 years of industry expertise, Mr. Ruppel is a seasoned leader in contracting, construction, and consulting. His broad skill set encompasses estimating, design, permitting, construction, and project management. He has successfully contributed to projects across a wide range of industries and states, from straightforward building renovations to complex, multi-billion-dollar mega projects. His deep industry knowledge spans forestry, heavy civil works, telecommunications, multimodal transportation, rail infrastructure, and vertical construction.

Having spent 80% of Kiewit career on projects, Mr. Ruppel brings a hands-on, practical approach to transforming complex plans into successful, on-time, and on-budget project deliveries.

His expertise extends to strategic leadership, team and talent development, operational planning, accurate estimating, procurement management, and claims support. Known for his leadership, Mr. Ruppel excels at guiding projects through complex business environments, consistently delivering exceptional results, building high-performing teams, and driving operational excellence.

VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

With more than 35 years of experience in change management and project leadership, Julia Ruppel brings a proven ability to align strategy with results. She has led complex organizational initiatives that drive performance, streamline operations, and support long-term growth.

As Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Julia leads with collaboration, trust, and a commitment to people. Her leadership style focuses on positive reinforcement, team motivation, and building a workplace culture grounded in respect and shared purpose. Julia is dedicated to helping teams succeed by creating the systems and support they need to do their best work.

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER

Michael Beisel brings more than 30 years of experience managing complex construction and development projects across Hawaii and the mainland United States. He is known for his ability to lead multi-phase initiatives from design through closeout with a sharp focus on coordination, cost control, and change management.

As Senior Project Manager at Koa Project Management, Michael serves as the owner’s representative on multiple active projects, guiding scheduling, procurement, and execution to ensure quality outcomes. His background includes leadership roles in both general contracting and construction management, where he has consistently delivered high-end commercial, retail, and infrastructure builds on time and on budget.

COST MANAGER

Sue Lee brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in Hawaii’s electric utility industry, with a focus on engineering administration, project management, and infrastructure planning. Known for her ability to drive innovation and optimize complex systems, Sue has helped deliver measurable results for some of the state’s most critical utility operations.

At Koa Project Management, Sue applies her deep expertise in cost management, joint use infrastructure, and regulatory compliance to ensure that every project is financially sound and strategically aligned. She is a trusted leader in cross-functional collaboration, with a proven track record of building strong partnerships across public and private sectors. Her work reflects a commitment to efficiency, integrity, and supporting projects that strengthen Hawaii’s communities.

PROJECT ASSISTANT

Kamalei Lee is an experienced engagement strategist and project assistant with a strong record of supporting high-impact initiatives across the nonprofit, higher education, and consulting sectors. She specializes in driving stakeholder engagement, improving operational efficiency, and aligning teams around strategic goals.

At Koa Project Management, Kamalei supports project planning, communications, and internal operations with precision and purpose. She holds an M.A. in Management from the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University and a B.A. in Public Relations from the University of La Verne.

OFFICE ENGINEER

Patrick Breeden is a developing project professional with a background in mechanical engineering and hands-on experience supporting operational and project teams.

As Office Engineer at Koa Project Management, Patrick assists with budget tracking, documentation, and day-to-day coordination across active construction projects, helping to ensure that schedules and costs stay on track.

Patrick is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree at Fairfield University.

BUSINESS SPECIALIST

JB Kerrigan is a business and marketing student at Utah State University with hands-on experience in customer service, entrepreneurship, and construction support. As the founder of Kerrigan Lawn Mowing Company, he managed day-to-day operations for more than six years, developing a strong foundation in business logistics, client communication, and team coordination.

At Koa Project Management, JB supports internal business functions and project operations with a thoughtful, team-oriented approach. His background in retail and roofing reflects a strong work ethic and adaptability in dynamic environments.