we KNOW INTEGRITY. we KNOW CHARACTER.

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PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHY:    

 Kenneth is the CEO of Bush Companies - a multifaceted Certified SBE, MBE & DBE & TGB with offices in the in the Upper Midwest based in MN - offering Development, Construction Management & Support Services and Government Procurement Contracting. 

Bush is a native of Rochester, Minnesota, he attended Harriet Bishop, Kellogg, John Marshall and comes from humble beginnings starting out as a caretaker by cleaning apartments and was a realtor for over 20 years and starting at Edina Realty's Corporate Headquarters in Edina, MN where he was an original board member for the Corporate Diversity Program to create home ownership opportunities prior to becoming a real estate developer - civic minded entrepreneur.

Kenneth's career has progressed over decades, mentored by some of the most prominent real estate developers, civil engineer, brokers, residential & commercial builders, general contractors as an employee, collaborative partner on many projects, that have resulted in over $350,000,000 in development and Road Construction, we have worked on many State, City, County, Townships on Minnesota Department of Transportation & Wisconsin Department of Transportation Projects.  

Bush is an advocate for his industry and serves on the accreditation advisory board for the Better Business Bureau of MN & ND and Harvard Business Review advisory council.  The Bush organization is a major collaborative, the company is a Rochester based BIPOC owned firm covering everything Real Estate Development, Business Development. Workforce Development, Economic Development, Community Engagement & Construction Management.  

Bush Construction division has worked on many State and Federal Heavy Highway, Road & Bridge construction projects as a specialty trades contractor partnering on major transportation and infrastructure projects in the upper Midwest, we also represent some of the nation's largest retailers and franchises with pre-post construction site cleaning services for new store or remodel projects. 

Our development division currently has city council approvals on workforce and affordable housing development projects in Southeastern Minnesota whereas developer in 2022 was recipient of a competitive RFP and received a Minnesota Housing Finance Agency award.  

 
EDUCATION:  He was awarded a full scholarship to the University of St. Thomas – Opus College of Business - Commercial Real Estate and Real Estate MBA Program at the Shenehon Center for Real Estate in 2006, member of the UST Real Estate Alumni Council 

In 2014 he earned a graduate certificate in Economic Development from Hamline University – College of Business at the Center for Public Administration & Leadership and attended Training certification with Winona State University - Destination Medical Center, City of Rochester and other local contractors on Inclusive Workforce Participation Plans & Workforce Diversity in Bidding Practices. 

"Bush Companies is different because public engagement is a key part of building a community connected "local" firm and I am with belief by having these relationships in the Halls of State | Local government agencies we are leading the change to create a more inclusive industry ". 

PRESENT + PREVIOUS | BOARD OF DIRECTORS & POLICY EXPERIENCE:

2021: Graduate - Real Estate Diversity Program at Urban Land Institute and is a ULI fellow alumnus. 

2021: appointed by DEED as a member of the Targeted Community Project Review Committee that granted 18 million to disadvantaged communities in Minnesota.

2022:  Guest Speaker - Destination Medical Center & City of Rochester - Construction Trades 

2023: appointed member of the DBE Committee and Workforce Collaborative, an advisory group to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. 

2024: Guest Speaker - Minnesota Department of Administration at the U.S Small Business Administration Development Council - APEX Accelerators, US Army Corps of Engineers. 

POLICY:  Kenneth is a public policy advocate and completed 6yrs serving as chairman & vice chair of the Olmsted County Advisory Planning Board of Commissioners, a certified DMC tourism Ambassador and served as an elected Rochester Area Builders Board member and served 3 years as a state - wide representative for the Builders Association of Minnesota.  

Kenneth Bush is the first African American citizen from Rochester, Minnesota to earn & win a major political party endorsement for the Minnesota House of Representatives for two election cycles, receiving nearly 17,000 votes "2018 & 2020" election in his hometown, he clearly understands from direct experience how Federal, State and Local Government agencies conduct business and is the founder, chairman and executive director of the Minnesota Minority Trades Council, which advocates for workforce development in the construction industry to advocate for capacity building and create jobs.

MN Department of Employment & Economic Development  

Bolder Options Board of Directors
National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authority Officials NAHRO
Builders Association of Twin Cities Sales & Marketing Council
Minnesota Multi Housing Association
Restorative Justice MN  
Minnesota Realtors Diversity & Inclusion Committee
Minneapolis Planning & Economic Development Real Estate Roundtable Member
Rochester Targeted Business Diversity & Inclusion Taskforce
Rochester Area Foundation Housing Coalition

MN Complete Streets Coalition 

Minnesota Commercial Association of Realtors MNCAR 

Minneapolis Association of Realtors - Regulatory & Governmental Affairs

Minneapolis Association of Realtors - Equal opportunity & Cultural Diversity Committee 

Minneapolis Association of Realtors - Community Contributions Task Force

National Association of Industrial & Office Properties NAIOP - Diversity Committee

International Council of Shopping Centers 

Red Wing Multi Housing Association - Founder
Red Wing Community Development - Board of Directors - Minnesota -Wisconsin Bridge  

MN Realtors - Community Engagement Task Force

Red Wing Economic Development Commission - Blue Ribbon Panel
Red Wing Housing & Redevelopment Authority Board of Commissioners
Red Wing Human Rights Commissioner
Red Wing Diversity Committee
Red Wing Chamber of Commerce - Government Affairs Committee
Goodhue County Habitat for Humanity - Public Relations  

Minnesota Realtors Governmental Affairs

Minnesota Housing Partnership - Advocacy

Southeastern Association of Realtors Governmental Affairs

Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce - Governmental Affairs Committee

Bush Companies is the Recipient of the Associated Contractors of Minnesota  

 "Diverse Business of the Year."  at the AGC Awards Jan 2024. 

 Kenneth L. Bush ~ Civic Minded Entrepreneur - CEO | Managing Principal - Bush Companies | LinkedIn 

 We are  Southeastern Minnesota's  pioneering BIPOC  Development + Design + Construction firm -MBE Minority Owned Business Enterprise - As a collaborating company we do understand that every project needs quality attention to detail and has its own unique perspective.  

We work with Owners + General Contractors by participating in the public bidding processes and are compliant to earn work on your behalf to build relationships + people and create more equitable projects.     

We have the capability needed to help you reach your Targeted Business Development goals, Bush Companies has collaborative partnerships within the industry with like-minded firms who are creating a working plan, being ardent in their efforts to ensure Diversity + Inclusion is sustainable for building long-term effectiveness with City, County, State & DMC Destination Medical Center - Projects. 

DBE certified companies are able to yield much more effective cost saving strategies due to diversity spending requirements: by having the ability to utilize various federal and state tax incentives, tax breaks and potential rebates. This is a great incentive for other businesses to do work with DBE certified companies.

Working with a DBE certified company is also encouraging the growth and longevity of companies within a specific community. Inclusivity in the business world makes a great investment not only for the financial incentives, but also for the relationship building and the intangibles that come with doing work with a DBE certified company.