THE KIER FAMILY OF COMPANIES COMMEMORATES
60 YEARS OF ACHIEVEMENT
Most businesses fail within the first few years, and most family businesses do not survive a transition from the founders. This year, however, one of Northern Utah’s great family companies will celebrate long odds with a 60th anniversary. The KIER Corporation along with its offspring companies, KIER Construction and KIER Property Management and Real Estate, are still family owned with the third generation actively working in the business.
The KIER Family of Companies are celebrating the 60th anniversary of their founding. In celebration of their achievements, each company is excited to share a few of the milestones of the last 60 years, while looking forward to the continuance of their enduring legacy.
Then and Now
The KIER Corporation: on August 7, 1961, Jim and Norma Kier —partners in life—became partners in business when they co-founded KIER Construction, a single-family home builder focused on providing quality homes throughout northern Utah. With growth and development opportunities, together Jim and Norma later incorporated as The KIER Corporation. The primary vision of the KIER Corporation was to develop affordable Multi Family housing options along the Wasatch Front and beyond. With her dear husband’s passing in 2005, the KIER Corporation become an asset holding company still managed by the forever young Norma Kier. In her words, “We’ve been blessed with five children working together, and so many wonderful people who became like family through the years. It’s been a busy, busy life, but very rewarding.”
KIER Property Management and Real Estate: the first offspring of the parent company was founded in 1978, and since Jim’s passing has been owned and operated by sisters Bonnie Kier-Herrick and Kimi Kier-Noar. Today, KIER Property Management and Real Estate’s portfolio includes approximately 1,500 residential units and operates over 300,000 square feet of commercial property in three western states. KIER Management leverages a team of well-trained experts, sophisticated accounting and reporting services, and professional maintenance technicians. The Kier sisters are continuing in their parents’ footsteps as demonstrated by their commitment to providing housing solutions for low-income populations, particularly previously unhoused individuals, and seniors, as well as traditional market-rate apartment communities and HOA’s.
KIER Construction: in 1986 KIER Construction was reborn as the second offspring in the family of companies. Since inception, KIER Construction has been owned and operated by brothers Steve and Scott Kier, and celebrates 2021 as its 35th Anniversary. Today, KIER Construction is consistently listed among Utah’s top 15 General Contractors while averaging annual revenues of $135 million, across nine western states. KIER Construction has completed over 1,800 projects and employs more than 80 construction professionals who specialize in construction management of both complex commercial projects and multi-unit housing communities.
James E. and Norma A. Kier Foundation: Jim Kier was once quoted as saying, “If you take out of the community then you need to put it back in. That’s the way I was raised, and that’s the way I’ve always felt.” The James E. and Norma A. Foundation was established in 2005 as a way for the KIER family of companies and all of the Kier family to faithfully support a myriad of philanthropic causes with monetary donations and extensive leadership commitments. The Foundation through its generous, thoughtful, and focused philanthropy is the tool that solidifies the legacy.
“As we celebrate this 60-year milestone, we as a Kier family and as individual companies are proud of the achievements we’ve made, most importantly the community partnerships we’ve created. We look forward to the next 60 years of an enduring legacy,” said Steve Kier, Chief Executive Officer of KIER Construction. “We’ve seen a lot of changes over the years, but one thing remains the same – the Kier family is committed to enhancing communities and improving quality of life – one company, one property, and one project at a time.”
