Gary Cortes
Principal
Hoffman Cortes Contracting

Gary Cortes, principal of Hoffman Cortes Contracting Company, concentrates his efforts in marketing, consulting with the company’s project managers/estimators and finding solutions to clients’ specific construction needs.  In addition, he remains very active in community organizations and activities.

Growing up around the family business, Cortes developed an early passion for construction, but it was for bridges, dams and highways. After receiving a scholarship to work in Spain for Dragados y Construcciones, S.A. on a large dam and hydroelectric plant, he knew that his ultimate goal was to return to Rice University in Houston, Texas, to complete his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and then join the family construction business. The glamour of bridges and dams did not have the personal contact that Cortes desired in his dream to help build America.

Cortes began his career in construction at the age of fourteen, working as a laborer on a variety of construction projects. In June 1962, he joined Hoffman Cortes as an estimator/project manager under the guidance of his grandfather, Morris Hoffman, and his father, Carlos F. Cortés. Some of the projects he managed as project manager included the following: one million square-feet of underground warehousing for Hallmark Cards; a 165,000-square-foot-Dymon, Inc. manufacturing plant; 65,000-square-foot-Food & Drug Administration Regional laboratories; a 110,000-square-foot-printing facility for Barton Nelson, Inc; Congregation Beth Shalom’s New Administrative/Educational Facility; DST Output – historic renovation of 68,000 square-feet of railroad buildings into office and 240,000-square-foot-high speed laser printing facility; and numerous projects for Kansas City Power & Light including six new buildings at the Iatan II Facility.

In 1972, Cortes became president and managed the day-to-day operations of Hoffman Cortes for approximately 26 years before turning the business management over to his daughter. The business grew and continues to grow with an emphasis on client service, resulting in the majority of work as either design-build or TEAM concept construction (owner/architect/contractor) working jointly on the client’s behalf.

Cortes is a member of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Kansas City Hispanic Association of Contractors Enterprise (KCHACE), Builders Association and Associated General Contractors. He serves on the advisory board of U.S. Bank, and is a life board member and past president of Congregation Beth Shalom. Cortes has been recognized locally and nationally with numerous awards from the religious, civic and Hispanic communities.

Also, Cortes remains actively involved with his alma mater, Rice University, as an immediate past director of the Alumni Association and an area captain for the Rice Alumni Volunteers for Admissions where he interviews high school seniors for admittance to the university. Finally, Cortes is a representative for Rice University College Nights and Fairs.