Kristine Retetagos, Senior Vice President, Kast Construction

July 2026 — Invest: sat down with Kristine Retetagos, senior vice president of KAST Construction, to discuss how project activity is returning across Tampa Bay, what clients need most in a volatile environment, and how builders can help the region grow. “Our goal is to ultimately make our customers successful,” Retetagos said.

What changes over the past year have impacted KAST Construction, particularly in Tampa Bay, and in what ways?

Over the past year, we have seen activity pick up in a meaningful way. Developers appear more confident about moving projects forward, and projects that were previously on hold are starting up again.

From our perspective, that momentum is very positive and speaks well for the Tampa Bay region. When owners are comfortable restarting work, it typically reflects greater clarity around timing, feasibility, and overall confidence in the market.

Which recent projects or initiatives best reflect your momentum right now?

Over the past six to 12 months, we have had several projects move forward that really reflect our activity in the market. That includes the Isla del Sol clubhouse renovation for the country club and yacht club, our Florida Power & Light project in Fort Myers, the Ballad Hotel in Clearwater, and the Fairfield Avenue Apartments affordable housing project in St. Petersburg.

These projects vary in scope and purpose, which is important. It shows that we are active across hospitality, infrastructure, and housing, including projects that directly support community needs.

How do you differentiate yourself locally as competition for complex projects continues to grow?

For us, it always comes back to client satisfaction and the experience we provide. We want our clients to feel supported, informed, and confident throughout the process.

Our goal is to ultimately make our customers successful. We focus on delivering a first-class experience starting in pre-construction.

A key part of that is aligning the design, the design team, and the budget early. We proactively involve our pre-construction team at the very beginning, even when projects are still conceptual. By studying early designs and providing feedback on efficiencies, materials, and layouts, we help shape projects in a way that creates value before construction even begins.

What construction or development trends are most actively shaping demand in Tampa Bay right now?

We closely track how economic conditions affect whether projects can proceed. Pricing volatility, cost escalation, workforce availability, and tariffs all influence decision-making. Interest rates continue to be an important factor as well.

From a construction standpoint, our role is to help clients understand these variables and plan accordingly. In response to recent volatility, KAST issues a bi-monthly market conditions report. That allows us to stay current and communicate clearly with clients about pricing trends and market conditions that may affect their projects.

How do you put these pressures into opportunities for efficiency or added value for clients?

It starts with understanding market impacts thoroughly and responding proactively. If there is a supply chain disruption, we identify it early and adjust procurement strategies to protect the schedule.

Permitting is another area where early involvement matters. By understanding permitting durations and complexities upfront, we can help owners begin those processes earlier during pre-construction. That foresight helps mitigate delays and keeps projects moving forward.

Ultimately, anticipating challenges and planning around them is how we protect outcomes for our clients.

How does Tampa Bay’s exposure to storms and flooding influence how KAST approaches resilience in planning and material selection?

It is about understanding what works in this region and integrating those lessons early. We focus on stronger building materials and incorporate resilience measures during design, not after construction begins.

By providing early feedback and planning for regional conditions, we help ensure buildings are better prepared to perform over the long term.

How does KAST engage with local partners, municipalities, and stakeholders across Tampa Bay?

Community engagement is a responsibility we take seriously. As one of the larger builders in the region, it is important for us to support the communities where we work.

We participate in volunteering, donation drives, community events, sponsorships, and fundraising initiatives. Our projects and our people are part of Tampa Bay, and giving back is a key part of being a responsible community builder.

How is technology changing how your teams operate in the field?

Technology continues to evolve, and our focus is on adopting tools that create real efficiency and reliability in the field. One example is how we use technology to program buck hoists more efficiently, which helps move workers through job sites faster and improves schedule performance.

These operational improvements add up. When schedules become more reliable, clients benefit from greater predictability and better project outcomes.

What role does the construction industry play in supporting Tampa Bay’s economic growth?

Construction plays a critical role. Tampa Bay continues to attract new residents, and construction activity supports that growth by creating jobs and fueling demand for materials and services.

Beyond the economic impact during construction, completed projects shape the region’s landscape and contribute to thoughtful community development. Construction helps support both economic momentum and quality of life.

How do you see the Tampa Bay construction market evolving over the next three to five years?

I expect continued growth. As the region expands, our focus will remain on being one of the most trusted builders in the market and a premier partner for our clients. Growth for us is about maintaining quality, experience, and client success as complexity increases.

What opportunities stand out on the horizon for builders in the region?

Affordable housing will remain a major focus. It is essential to supporting the long-term health of the community, and builders have a responsibility to help developers and municipalities address that need.

At the same time, demand for condominiums, multifamily housing, schools, and public infrastructure will continue as population growth drives new needs. That diversity of opportunity is one of Tampa Bay’s strengths.

How is KAST approaching recruiting, upskilling, and retaining talent in a competitive labor market?

We are a people-first organization, and that culture guides everything we do. We prioritize strong values, continuous development, and growth opportunities for our teams.

By investing in both professional and personal development, we create an environment where people want to build long-term careers. That approach has helped us maintain very low voluntary turnover and supports our ability to consistently deliver successful projects.