10/13/2025
Today we celebrate 10 years with Kela Martinez, our Regional Principal in Southern California and Utah!
When Kela joined Dowbuilt as a project engineer 10 years ago, she came in with the same drive and seriousness she carried through architecture school at UW—and she’s grown from there. Over the past decade, Kela has shaped our Southern California presence into a region with a strong identity and standout projects. She’s built a thriving and diverse team that excels under her leadership, thanks to her accountability, energy, and ability to lead by example.
Everyone knows Kela moves a million miles a minute, juggling projects, clients, and crises with ease. Whether navigating COVID challenges with her team or hauling plexiglass strapped to her Prius down the PCH, she tackles problems head-on. Through fires, pandemics, and complex builds, she’s shown relentless commitment to her people and projects. She is a true “Wonder Woman multitasker,” says colleague Chris Pineo (Construction Manager/ Mountains.)
She’s known for her ability to turn tough conversations in a positive direction, to listen deeply, and to bring people together. Colleagues and clients respect her professionalism and her candor. She’s taught her teams to be cheerleaders for one another, to find humor and joy even in tough moments, and to maintain focus on the bigger picture. At the same time, she’s deeply family-oriented and community-driven—always present onsite, always checking in, always caring about the people behind the work.
Bright, bold, and deeply dedicated, Kela’s incredible impact on Dowbuilt is far reaching. We’re proud to celebrate this milestone with her, and excited to see what she’ll achieve in the decade ahead.
