Ben Butzke
Co-president
Butzke Burch Construction Inc.
Age: 32
Partner: Jacque Butzke
Children: Reuben, Jovie and Lincoln
Mentor: Brian Buethe, president and CEO of Grimes Chamber & Economic Development
Why he’s a Forty: Ben is a two-term board chair for Grimes Chamber & Economic Development and the 2021 Affiliate Presidents’ Council chair with the Greater Des Moines Partnership. He joined the Courage League Sports board of directors and helped transition a merger with Opportunity on Deck to become Can Play. Ben founded Butzke Burch Construction with Matt Burch in 2020 to provide a relationship-based approach to general contracting for Central Iowa. Ben has helped his wife, Jacque Butzke, run their family business, Inspiring Dance, since its founding in 2010.
What are your goals in your role at your company?
In our second year of business, we are on a growth trajectory at Butzke Burch Construction. A major goal for me is to create and foster a company culture that inspires others to be innovative, passionate and committed to the relationships with clients, subcontractors and design partners.
What are your goals for your community involvement?
As a board member with CanPlay, I will support the organization as it continues to expand locally and nationally by helping ensure that adaptive and no-cost sports programs are accessible to all. Melissa Clarke-Wharff and Dylan DeClerck have big dreams, and I want to support the major expansion effort.
What's your biggest passion, and why?
Leaving the world a better place than I found it. Different aspects in my life feed this passion with helping my wife run her dance studio, constructing projects that make our communities better and encouraging my kids that anyone can make a difference.
What is it that drives you?
Central Iowa has always been my home, and watching it change over the years and become what it is now drives me to play a role in its continued growth. I want to build projects that enrich the lives of others and have a lasting effect in the community.
What are your future aspirations?
I want to continue looking for new ways to make a positive difference in my community, whether that is helping other entrepreneurs start businesses, run for public office or mentoring young people getting into my industry. I truly care about making a local impact.
Three hobbies: Nothing beats an afternoon on the golf course. Smoking all kinds of meats, from briskets and ribs to salmon and wings. Everything Cyclones. Who doesn’t love a 1 p.m. kickoff at Jack Trice? (A rhetorical question for the Hawk fans.)
Fun Fact: Ben never knew competition dance existed until he was 16 and is a terrible dancer, but he can critique pirouettes and rhinestone costumes and enjoys building props for his wife’s dance studio.
ONE word: Passionate.
What is your wish for the Central Iowa business community?
Build an indoor golf course. If that is not possible, then my wish for the Central Iowa business community is to maintain the grace, kindness and patience that we have all learned throughout the pandemic.
Anything else you haven't addressed that people must know about you?
None of my accomplishments are because of my talents. I am surrounded by amazing people that make it easy to have so many passions. On a daily basis I am inspired by my incredibly hardworking wife, Jacque, my business partner, Matt Burch, and all of the wonderful staff members at the organizations I am involved with.