George D. Kalb, co-founder of Las Vegas-based Kalb Construction Co., and president of the 33-year-old family-run general contractor responsible for over 1,000 building projects in Southern Nevada, died on Oct. 24 from a heart-attack. He was 68.

 

George D. Kalb

Noteworthy company buildings include the 103-acre, 1.4-million-sq-f. McCarran Center; 4-level, the 120,000-sq-ft corporate headquarters for Harrah’s Entertainment Inc. (now Caesars Entertainment Corp.), and the two-building, 100,000-sq-ft. Opportunity Village Engelstad Campus.

Kalb Construction specializes in concrete tilt-up construction and remodeling for the retail, industrial and office markets.

Kalb learned the ropes by working for a predeccessor family business begun by his father in 1963. In 1980, George and his younger brother Steve began Kalb Construction Co.

The award winning company was named Nevada’s Safest Contractor in 2006 by Southwest Contractor magazine (now ENR Southwest). Kalb Construction also ranked among the top southwest 100 contractors by volume during the 2000s.

"George’s confidence in guiding the company and supporting his employees is something every leader could learn from," said Steve Kalb. "He knew how to make a decision and would stand by it, regardless of the fallout."

The two brothers later split ownership in 2006, with Steve taking over the Kalb Industries unit and George heading up Kalb Construction.

Kalb Construction stopped accepting new work when George retired in 2011.

However, Steve and son Justin say they will still keep the unlimited contractor’s license active.