Kevin Khemraj, DBIA, has spent the past 18 years growing as an engineer, contractor and leader, spending the majority of his career with Welkin Mechanical, an Iovino Enterprises Company. Beginning as an intern and advancing to the role of vice president, Khemraj has experience in construction management, contract administration, strategic planning, leadership and organizational development. 

Currently he oversees all Welkin Mechanical projects in various stages of execution, ranging from several million dollars to more than $300 million individually, with a combined portfolio value exceeding $700 million. In addition to executive oversight responsibilities, he personally manages several of the company’s largest and highest profile public infrastructure projects. 

Khemraj has strengthened partnerships with owners, owner representatives, design professionals, contractors, labor organizations and industry associations, including the General Contractors Association (GCA), the Mechanical Contractors Association (MCA) and local union leadership. 

A significant portion of his responsibilities involves the resolution of complex construction claims and disputes with public agencies, including the New York City (NYC) Department of Environmental Protection , the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, NYC Parks Department, Department of Citywide Administrative Services and others.  

He has worked collaboratively with Agency representatives, NYC Law Department, the NYC Comptroller's Office and industry stakeholders to successfully negotiate and resolve major claims. Beyond individual project matters, Khemraj actively participates with organizations such as the GCA and MCA to share lessons learned, advocate for industry improvements and contribute to the advancement of the construction profession as a whole. 

In 2021, he was elected chair of Iovino Enterprises' Employee Resource Group for Diversity and Inclusion, where he works alongside the Women in Construction initiative to create educational and team-building opportunities through motivational speakers, discussion panels, school outreach programs and community engagement events. 

Khemraj actively mentor’s employees throughout Welkin Mechanical and its affiliated companies. He has helped develop a formal mentorship program with Iovino Enterprises, which fosters professional growth, leadership development and career advancement. 

One organization that has become particularly meaningful to Khemraj is Tools & Tiaras, a nonprofit dedicated to introducing girls ages 6-17 to skilled trades and STEAM careers. Through several years of involvement and support, Khemraj was honored in 2025 as one of the organization's Male Allies in recognition of his contributions. 

Outside of work, Khemraj remains active in his local community by volunteering with his daughter's Parent Teacher Association, Girl Scouts troop and Cub Scout activities. 

Is there a specific experience that led you to where you are today?  

Absolutely. One of the biggest influences on my career was growing up working alongside my father on residential maintenance and repair projects. From a young age, I was exposed to the value of hard work, accountability and the satisfaction that comes from building and fixing things with your own hands. Those experiences gave me an appreciation for construction long before I understood the technical aspects of the industry.  

More importantly, it taught me practical problem-solving skills, attention to detail and the importance of taking pride in your work. Looking back, those early lessons helped shape my career path and ultimately led me into engineering and construction management. While my responsibilities today involve leading large teams and overseeing hundreds of millions of dollars in public infrastructure projects, the foundation remains the same: work hard, solve problems, treat people well and take pride in delivering quality work. 

What do you enjoy most about your job?  

What I enjoy most about my job is the opportunity to build something meaningful and tangible. Whether it's a wastewater treatment facility upgrade critical infrastructure improvement or a complex mechanical system, there is satisfaction in seeing a project progress from an idea on paper to a completed asset that will serve the public for decades. 

In addition, I am especially passionate about the planning and logistics required to make these projects successful. Coordinating people, materials, schedules, budgets and stakeholders across large scale projects is like solving a complex puzzle. When a well thought out plan comes together and the team successfully delivers a project despite challenges along the way, there is a great sense of pride and accomplishment. 

What’s the most challenging part of your job?  

The most challenging part of my job is not typically the technical aspects of construction, it is people/personality management. Most day-to-day issues are not solved with engineering calculations or contract language; they are solved through communication, collaboration and alignment. 

Over the years, I have learned that leadership is often about listening, building trust and creating alignment. When communication breaks down, projects suffer. When teams are aligned and working toward a shared objective, even the most difficult challenges become manageable. Helping people navigate those situations and achieve success together is both the greatest challenge and one of the most rewarding aspects of my role. 

What is the accomplishment you’re most proud of and why?  

The accomplishment I am most proud of is maintaining a healthy balance between a demanding career and being fully present for my family. Construction and infrastructure projects often require long hours, difficult decisions and constant attention. As my responsibilities have grown throughout my career, so to have the challenges of balancing professional success with personal commitments. While I am proud of the projects I have delivered and the milestones I have achieved, none of those accomplishments mean as much to me as being there for my children and family. My wife and I are raising two wonderful children, and one of my greatest priorities has always been to remain actively involved in their lives. 

Knowing that I have been able to build a rewarding career while remaining present for my family is the accomplishment that brings me the greatest sense of pride. 

What is an accomplishment you would like to work towards in your career?  

From a business perspective, I would also like to play a significant role in the continued growth of Welkin Mechanical and Iovino Enterprises, helping the organization take on increasingly complex and meaningful infrastructure projects that improve our communities. 

From a personal perspective, success for me is not measured solely by the projects I help build, but by the people I help develop, and the lasting impact I leave on both the industry and those around me. 

What is your best advice you can share from your area of expertise?  

The best advice I can share is to never lose sight of how things are actually built in the field. Whether you're an engineer, project manager or executive, there is no substitute for firsthand knowledge of construction operations. The more time you spend understanding the work being performed, the better decisions you will make throughout your career. 

Equally important is communication. Technical knowledge alone will only take you so far. The ability to communicate clearly, listen actively and align people around a common goal is what separates good professionals from great leaders. 

Finding a strong mentor can significantly accelerate your growth. I have been fortunate to learn from exceptional mentors throughout my career, and those relationships have had a profound impact on my development. Today, one of the most rewarding aspects of my career is mentoring others and helping them navigate challenges similar to those I once faced. Mentorship is one of the most valuable gifts you can receive and one of the most meaningful ways to give back. Pay it forward whenever you have the opportunity. 

If I had to identify three qualities that are essential for every engineer, they would be organization, communication and humility. Organization allows you to manage complexity and stay ahead of challenges. Communication enables you to work effectively with teams, clients and stakeholders. Humility keeps you open to learning, willing to listen and aware that no matter how much experience you gain, there is always something new to learn.