About Us
Making big ideas happen.
While we may be a small group of dedicated staff, we can handle the big stuff.
We’ve been responsible for over $600 Million in commercial construction and real estate development projects, ranging from aviation, industrial, office, and laboratory facilities. Our longstanding relationships with key players in the biotechnology, aviation, and data center industries give us experience and expertise for future projects.
We bring a high level of skill to technical projects that make us the choice to complete uncommonly advanced work. We pay attention to the details within a project and commit to building trust with our clients, navigating those unexpected bumps along the way together.
As a full-service real estate development and construction management company, Strongbox has been specializing in all types of development and commercial construction in Indiana and Texas since 1985. We’ve transformed an old department store into a data center and updated an old factory in South Bend, IN into a modern workspace. From constructing airplane hangers to adding a greenhouse onto a current structure, here at Strongbox, we’re a small group of people that does big stuff.
Turn those big ideas or difficult projects into realities with our expertise, portfolio, and versatility.
Our Team
Paul W. Kite
Chief Executive Officer and Owner
Formed in 2004, Strongbox Commercial is led by founder and CEO, Paul Kite. Paul is responsible for the company’s entire portfolio of development, redevelopment, construction and leasing for retail, office, industrial and resort projects. Strongbox takes pride in its capabilities as a small firm to develop a vast variety of intricate projects, consisting of state-of-the-art technology, uncommonly difficult and advanced work.
Paul is also the Co-Founder of Kite Harris Property Group, LLC, which has a concentrated focus on real estate development projects in Boone County, Indiana.
Prior to forming Strongbox Commercial, Paul served as President of the Kite Development Corporation from 1987-2004. During that time, Paul was instrumental in diversifying and growing the company’s real estate portfolio to approximately 4,000,000 square feet. In addition to Kite’s own portfolio, Paul was responsible for investing funds from several private and institutional entities in projects throughout the United States. These funds have acquired, developed and disposed of 10,000,000 square feet of commercial and resort property.
Paul is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and is a licensed real estate broker. Further, Paul sits on the board of directors for Team Nebo Ridge and zWORKS.
Paul currently resides in Zionsville, IN with his wife, Gigi along with his three grown sons and their old cat.
Education: BS Southern Methodist University, Engineering Management | Licensed Real Estate Broker, Indiana
Robert (Bob) Harris
Co-Founder; Kite Harris Property Group
Bob Harris is the Property Manager for Harris Family Limited Partnership (FLP) and Co-Founder of Kite Harris Property Group (KHPG) whose concentrated focus is on real estate development projects in Boone County, Indiana. KHPG and Harris FLP maintain a reputation of dedication to enhancing the towns within Boone County while also maintaining their preservation. Their development of South Village Development in Zionsville, IN links to the historic downtown and has brought in new businesses such as Bub’s Burgers, Alchemy Spirit House, and Sub Sixteen. In addition, KHPG built a 16,000-square-foot office building that houses companies such as the 120 Water Audit and Teays River Investments. Bob is currently developing the SE corner of 146th St and Michigan Road into Appaloosa Crossing. Appaloosa Crossing is a mixed use development including retail, residential town homes and office.
The Harris FLP owns 14 commercial properties in downtown Zionsville and manages 3 additional properties which include Rosie’s Cafe and Francis and Parke Clothier along with family owned properties on South Main Street that currently houses Moving Water Outfitters, Body Outfitters and School of Rock.
Bob, his wife, Tammy, and their two children reside in Zionsville, IN. The family attends New Hope Christian Church. He is a former board member for the Boone County Sheriff’s Merit Board that oversees the pension funds for sheriff deputies and is involved with personnel issues. Bob was also the vice-chair for the Boone County Republican Party.
Education: Franklin College, BS Advertising/Marketing
Wade Rugenstein
President of Construction
Wade brings over 25 years of construction experience from his former role with Kite Companies/Kite Realty Group. Wade is responsible for coordinating and assisting in the design, budgeting, bidding and construction aspects of the project. Wade has led projects from start to finish on all different levels throughout his career and prides himself on his abilities to deliver quality, cost control, on-time satisfaction and safety.
In addition to his role with Strongbox, Wade is the Owner and Founder of Accolade Construction Systems, LLC which is an affiliate self-performing carpentry firm specializing in a variety of commercial construction scopes of work.
Wade and his wife, Amie, reside in Trafalgar, IN with their four children.
Education: Architecture at Vincennes University | Urban Development School of Environmental Affairs at Indiana University, Purdue University, Indianapolis (IUPUI)
Lindsey Phipps
Vice President of Development
Lindsey has over 13 years of operation management, real estate development and corporate strategy experience. Prior to Strongbox, she worked for one of the nation’s premier developers of post-acute healthcare. With a diverse background, her focus is spent working across the company on business initiatives, all stages of the real estate development process, pre-construction and building lasting relationships.
Lindsey resides in Noblesville with her husband and 3 young boys.
Education; Indiana University, Communications
Jerry J. Williams
Senior Project Engineer/Construction Manager
Jerry is responsible for coordinating and leading the design teams on each project. He assists with budgeting, bidding, and touches all aspects of construction. This includes the design-build process, plan review, value engineering, contractor selection, building permits, site development, utility coordination, scheduling, budget tracking, owner/design team coordination, and management of various contractors/subcontractors/vendors.
Jerry has vast experience with aircraft hangars and a thorough understanding of the necessary components related to aircraft storage and maintenance. In the last 12 years, Jerry has completed projects at AAR Aircraft services (IMC), Comlux America (all facilities), MillionAir, and Signature Flight Support. As the lead designer and builder of these projects, he has an extensive working relationship with the IAA. With nearly 100 completed projects under his belt, Jerry has an outstanding portfolio along with the desire to continue its growth.
Jerry and his wife, Pam, resides in Westfield, IN.
Education: BS Western Michigan University, Mechanical Engineering | Licensed Professional Engineer, Indiana & Michigan
Tyler (TJ) Schmidt
Superintendent/Project Manager
Tyler brings over eight years of residential construction and wiring experience along with his entrepreneurial mindset to the Strongbox team. Contributing to the oversight of a project, Tyler assists with scheduling, coordination and management throughout all aspects of construction. A self-proclaimed “jack of all trades,” Tyler has the work ethic and determination to bring a project through to the finish line.
Prior to his role with Strongbox, Tyler ran a hotrod business restoring old Mustangs doing everything from upholstery, paint and body work to rebuilding engines. He found fun and fulfillment in this line of work, which eventually drove him towards a career in the construction industry.
Tyler lives in Carmel, IN with his wife Natalie, son Jackson and daughter Samantha.
Education: Degree in Electronic Engineering
Jennifer Hurst
Design & Development Coordinator
Jennifer brings a creative aspect to the Strongbox team with her extensive background in graphic design, management, and entrepreneur leadership. Early in her 16 years of combined experience, Jen advanced quickly in her graphics career to department head where she led a nation-wide team of prepress designers to consistently exceed quotas and outperform production goals. Known for her ability to organize, maximize, and overdeliver, Jen executes the graphic design and branding strategy for Strongbox as well as assists the development team in a support role following site identification.
Jen is a certified fitness trainer and former collegiate athlete who enjoys coaching youth sports. She resides in Westfield, IN with her husband, Kellen, and their three children.
Education: BA Graphic Design, St. Mary-of-the Woods College