Congratulations, Bruce!
Dear Bruce,
Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement! Your remarkable tenure as BKV Group’s Government Practice and Senior Partner has left an indelible mark on both the firm and the communities it serves. Your leadership, dedication, and expertise have been instrumental in shaping countless projects and positively impacting the lives of many. Your unwavering commitment to excellence has not only elevated the standards within the company but has also inspired those around you.
As you embark on this new chapter of your life, may it be filled with joy, relaxation, and countless new adventures. Your legacy at BKV Group will endure, and your presence will be greatly missed. Wishing you all the best in your well-earned retirement.
Warm regards,
The Partners of BKV Group
Bruce: you lead by example, and so many of us have been fortunate to collaborate with you on projects of impact. You care about two things deeply, genuinely, passionately, and earnestly: the communities served by your projects, and the staff with whom you work. It is tremendous to see how you draw energy from engaging with others, and how that energy feeds back into creative design solutions. Thank you for setting and keeping the bar high.
Susan MorganThe motorcycle is a blank canvas, and the ride, the brush stroke that paints one’s soul.” Bruce, when I saw this quote, I thought of you. Throughout your extraordinary career, you have had a host of canvases to work on: bond, vellum, mylar, and trace paper. Along the way, you traded your pencil for a pen and your pen for a keyboard to create wonderful projects that have enriched a lot of people’s lives. Now you have a fresh new canvas to paint your exciting new journey on. Congratulations on your outstanding career and all the dreams, hopes, and endless possibilities that are ahead for you. I will miss working with you, but will smile knowing that you are having the time of your life. Safe journey, my friend!
Phil Callison
“Bruce: You have provided a down-to-earth, grounded, confident and intelligent approach to restabilizing our Government practice, and creating the foundation for BKV to grow to the next great levels in the future. Over the past 14+ years, although viewing mostly from a distance, I have always appreciated your ability to connect with our clients on a professional and personal level, while displaying the leadership needed to propel our group. Fridley, for me, was our chance to work together, combining teamwork and effectiveness, to display our talents and deliver a dynamic project. I was able to see you work first-hand, and enjoyed every minute of that process. It went so well we even got street signs for us all! Thank you for all you have done for BKV; for bringing some humor and lightness to the practice when needed most, and for simply being a terrific Partner. Enjoy your retirement, you have earned it.
Mike Krych
Early on in my career at BKV Group, I had the pleasure of working with Bruce as a Marketing Assistant.
Even then, I knew that he would be a pain in my arse!
What I didn’t realize then, but certainly know now, is how much you’ve influenced my passion for what I do and my gratitude for all that I’ve learned from you. You and the rest of the Government team inspired me to focus solely on civic work, which is a major reason for my current position. I’ve truly enjoyed our collaboration and deepened understanding of civic architecture. Your expertise is evident, and you bring an infectious excitement to the work. As I contemplate your retirement, I think FINALLY… but honestly, I wonder if I’ve absorbed all the wisdom from a powerhouse like you. Thank you for your immense contributions to our team. You will be missed!
Rosalia PrangerWhen Bruce came to BKV we needed to rebuild our government practice. There was a good portfolio of projects but Bruce’s leadership has dynamically expanded our design footprint. His team-building and mentorship in support of the other partners has now grown our government project impact nationally. His work is a wonderful legacy, and we all extend our sincere appreciation.
Jack Boarman
“Bruce, I’ve truly enjoyed working with you these past 14 years on so many terrific projects. What you’ve done with the Government Sector is astounding and your leadership has been critical in building the firm we enjoy today. Your friendship is important to me, also, and I’ll always laugh when I think of “Win a date with Bruce,” talking about taco trucks with that woman in Fargo, running your car down to empty, or all of the crappy hotels you and I have stayed in over the years. I know you’ll stay interesting, and I hope you’ll stay in touch!
Craig CarterCongratulations on your retirement!
The last 14 years working together have gone too fast and I will always be grateful for the support you have shown me over the years. I am thankful you convinced me to stick around all these years; it has been a pleasure working together. Wishing you great times and good health in your retirement!
Michael Healy
In 2013, I made a major career transition coming to BKV to lead the DC government practice; having been with the same company for the previous 20 years. I’d like to thank Bruce for his mentorship through this process. While I was asked to do a lot in DC, Bruce bore the responsibility for leading the government practice nationally, which freed me to focus on the DC practice site. Bruce’s support was consistent throughout our ten years together, and helped us build a successful practice in this region. While Bruce’s physical presence in DC was minimal, his impact was felt daily while serving our many government clients. We will miss Bruce, and filling his shoes will be no small task. May your journey forward be full of grandpa memories and Harley adventures!
Mark Manetti
“Bruce, the legacy of beautiful projects, a strong national government team, and a long list of happy clients, is a testament to your leadership at BKV Group. The mark you have left on our practice and the firm is undeniable. I appreciate the time that we’ve had together, whether in the office or on long trips to projects, that has allowed me to understand the landscape that we practice in. Your friendship and advice along the way will not be forgotten. We hope you enjoy retirement, but don’t be a stranger. I’ll always welcome a cold drink at the end of a long day to catch up and hear about your newest adventures.
Paul Michell
“Bruce, congratulations on your retirement, and thank you for all you have contributed to the BKV government practice!! Time has flown by, and I have enjoyed working with you on so many great civic projects. You are both professional and approachable, a great mentor and client advocate. When I think of you what I will remember most is your infectious smile and belly laugh, you always know how to have fun!! Continue the fun as you enjoy a well-deserved retirement!
Kelly Naylor
As Bruce begins his well-deserved retirement, he leaves behind a rich legacy of client dedication, community impact, and team mentorship. His designs seamlessly integrate functionality, safety, and aesthetics, all while respecting budget constraints. Beyond architecture, Bruce championed community engagement, ensuring projects resonate with local values. He’s not just an architect; he’s a mentor who has inspired countless young professionals, fostering a love for public service architecture. I’ll miss our spirited discussions on justice, our firm, and our clients, along with our shared camaraderie, but I wish him the best in this new chapter of life as he “rides” to new adventures.
Henry Pittner
