Our Generations
1959
Ron Kurtz begins work as a carpenter in Iowa (he maintains a strong passion racing cars).
1966
Ron becomes a superintendent for his uncle’s construction company in Des Moines.
1967
Ron moves the family to Cedar Rapids where he becomes a project manager (his passion for hot air ballooning begins).
1972
Ron goes into business for himself, with his son assisting on job sites. They begin the construction of modest homes. With no formal contract, all their deals are founded on a handshake.
They complete their first home—1,200 square feet, and it sells for just $21,500.
1976
Still in college, Randy begins taking a role in the family business and a move South is considered.
1982
Randy graduates from Iowa State University with a business degree and the family business is relocated to Naples, Florida—a place with great potential for future growth.
They start with home remodeling and begin their first job on 14th Ave South in Aqualane Shores. All work, from demolition to carpentry finishes are accomplished by the father-son team of Ron and Randy. Within a year they work their way into the high-end, custom home beachfront market.
1982
The team moves from just remodels to building new estates. They begin their first new build in Gordon Drive.
1983
An investor and physician from Chattanooga, Tennessee is impressed with their work and contracts the building of two homes on the beach. Word begins to spread, business grows and referrals are made on a word-of-mouth basis.
Ron and Randy receive the Beautification Award given by the Naples Art Association two years in a row for homes they physically build themselves.
1984
The team is contracted to build their first homes in Port Royal.
1987
As the business grows, Ron takes over the daily construction oversight, while Randy manages the business from the office. Their goal is to maintain the family company as a low-volume, high-quality home building business (a principle they still uphold today) never building more than four to five homes at a time.
1988
The team begins building in Pelican Bay.
1991
The team begins building in Bay Colony.
1992
The team begins building in The Strand at Bay Colony.
1999
Ron is diagnosed and begins a six-year battle with cancer.
The team begins building in Mediterra.
2002
20th anniversary cruise to the Caribbean with the Kurtz Homes Naples staff and family.
2005
American Specialty Contractors of Florida Inc. honor Ron with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
2006
Kurtz Homes Naples launches condominium division.
2007
25th anniversary trip to South Seas Plantation with the Kurtz Homes staff and family.
2010
David Gordon, Randy’s son-in-law, joins Kurtz Homes Naples.
2012
Kurtz Homes celebrates 30 years.
2014
Carolyn Gordon, Randy’s daughter, joins the family business.
2017
35th anniversary retreat at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa with the Kurtz Homes staff and their families. The team celebrated the occasion with golfing, kayak tours, backwater fishing, a bit of spa relaxation and even a race down the resort’s water slides!
Elizabeth Kurtz joins the family business.
Kurtz Homes moves to The Collective Naples.
2020
Kurtz Homes Naples offices move into The Collective, Naples Design District’s design hub, developed by Randy Kurtz.
2035
Noah Kurtz Gordon to join the family business.