Justin Kimmich is founding principal of Kimmich | Smith Architecture, in Tampa. He has 20 years of experience in the architecture field.
His skill sets range in scale from producing overall master planning concepts for large-scale multi-phased projects of many typologies down to producing specific construction details important to the success of a project. Through the course of his experience, he has been involved in the design and execution of many project types ranging from single family homes, offices, restaurants, retail and schools to high-rise and vertical mixed-use apartments, condominiums and hotels.
Kimmich is a member of multiple organizations including AIA, CCIM, SOREP and others. He has also been appointed by the Building Official as a member of the City of Clearwater’s Building/Flood Board of Adjustments and Appeals for the past several years, and volunteers as a mentor and teacher to college and career-aged members of his local church.
1. College alma mater? SIUC Saluki and Texas A&M Aggie!
2. Favorite TV show of all time? Of all time? Hard to get past The Office, but Home Improvement and Seinfeld are close behind.
3. Preferred place for a business meeting? I love good boutique coffee places, Buddy Brew, Blind Tiger and Foxtail have been good.
4. Social media time suck of choice? YouTube drumming and hunting videos
5. What time do you wake up on workdays? Usually around 5:30 a.m.
6. What’s a life hack you swear by?
Stick a piece of bread in with your bin of Christmas cookies and they will stay soft for a lot longer.
7. A movie that terrified you as a child? Chucky (Child’s Play)…yea…really don’t like horror movies, lol.
8. Favorite local restaurant?
Steelbach. I am a carnivore for sure and these guys have not disappointed.
9. Last book you read? “The Pursuit of God,” by A.W. Tozer, and “The E-Myth,” by Michael Gerber.
10. Biggest business failure? Being so focused on doing the current work you ignore what’s next. Developing business is all about relationship and it takes consistent time and attention to do it right.
11. Best concert you’ve ever seen, live? Third Day.
12. Something you cook really well? Self-proclaimed King of the Smoker… pork butt, brisket, ribs, yes and even coffee beans.
13. Most famous person you’ve ever met? I don’t know that I’ve really met anyone who’d be considered “famous” – I guess that goes on the bucket list!
14. Coca-Cola or Pepsi? Coke for sure.
15. How do you manage the volume of emails you receive? I deal with them in lifts throughout the day. Once I have addressed each, I either delete or move to a folder created for that particular job, keeping my inbox focused on things that need to be addressed later.
16. Last thing you ordered from Amazon? Turkish Coffee.
17. Most used emoji? Thumbs up.
18. Charity you support? Jericho Road Ministries (providing meals), our local church, various missionaries and, as a business, we’ve also supported the local first responders, police, fire fighter and sheriff department organizations with community outreach.
19. What is something silly you got in trouble for as a child? I thought a great April Fool’s joke would be to put peanut butter on the phone earpiece so when they picked it up, they got an ear full. Let’s just say my dad did not think it was as funny as I thought it could be.
20. Best advice ever received? “If you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right” ~ Originally claimed by Henry Ford, however a number of my mentors have also shared this with me. The power of the right mindset and belief system is not to be underestimated.