Meet Jake Kirsch - Construction Mechanic at Knik Construction. Born and raised in Alaska, Jake isn’t afraid of a little grit. After serving four years in the Army — including a tough stretch in Iraq — he came back north, went to tech school, and never looked back. He first joined Knik Construction in 2014 as a fresh-out-of-high-school laborer on a paving crew. But the pull of big iron and the knowledge he gained at tech school eventually landed him where he belongs: turning wrenches as one of our go-to mechanics.
In recent years, you could find Jake in Platinum, chasing down Western Star 6900 haul trucks,
troubleshooting stubborn ECM harnesses, and keeping equipment alive after decades of rough Bush life. He’s been instrumental in keeping the 100-ton trucks rolling on the Platinum Highway, and he doesn’t shy away from the challenge. “There’s always a way forward,” Jake says. “We’ll find an answer for whatever situation we’re in.” The worse the weather, the more
fun he has. Jake has also been a key player on our winter crews, tackling grueling cold in places like McGrath and Chefornak.
Jake’s toolbox isn’t just wrenches and laptops. It’s experience, grit, and a tight crew he trusts. He credits old-school mechanics like Perry Spradlin and Bill Hank for showing him the ropes, and he’s big on teamwork: “Everybody’s goal oriented. If something needs to get done, the crew will step out of their normal role to make it happen.” That’s the kind of attitude that keeps the projects running when the nearest parts store is more than a couple of plane rides away.
What really drives Jake is the challenge. He takes pride in doing the work others say can’t be done — whether it’s wrenching in subzero temps, solving problems with no playbook, or keeping massive trucks moving through the Bush. For him, the tougher the day, the better the reward. “I like accomplishing things that people say we can’t get done,” he says.
When he’s not wrenching, Jake’s usually outdoors — hunting, fishing, or tearing it up on a dirt bike. He and his wife Keesha recently welcomed baby Arlin to the family, and he also picked up a new hunting dog, so life off the clock is full throttle, too. Looking ahead, Jake’s focused on sharpening his welding skills and spending more time around drills and blasting equipment — the big, complex machines that always catch his interest.
What makes him proudest at work? “Having the respect of the guys I work with,” he says. And if you’ve worked alongside Jake, you know he’s earned it. Out in remote Alaska, where breakdowns can shut down everything, Jake’s steady hand keeps Knik Construction’s projects moving — and he’ll be the first to give you a grin when the crew pulls off the impossible.
Topics from this blog: Lynden Employees Knik Construction