“Opus is like a family, and it always has been," said
Oscar Healy, Regional Vice President of Construction based in our
Kansas City office. “For almost 40 years, I've considered Opus my 'other' family."
Oscar was first introduced to Opus in 1984, before graduating from college, as part of a student co-op program.
“I've been here ever since," he said.
“My great uncle, who was also my godfather, was a civil engineer," Oscar said. “He lived in Louisville and we visited his family often. They lived in a log home that he renovated several times, adding on as his family grew. It was such a cool house and is still in the family today."
Oscar's great uncle was a skilled tradesman. When he designed and built additions on the house, it was hard to tell where the old ended and the new began.
“The additions looked like they had always been there," Oscar said. “Somebody would have to explain it to you. And he never wasted anything. When he tore down one part of the house, he'd keep the wood and find ways to use it elsewhere. He was also a really nice man. He's been gone for many years now, but he was an inspiring figure in my life."
Like his great uncle, Oscar brings incredible technical knowledge to the projects he leads – and he's a creative thinker. That combination helps him earn the respect and trust of clients. They recognize that he understands their goals and is thinking critically about how to add value – beyond what the basic drawings prescribe. In the category of sustainability, Oscar has led the construction of three buildings that achieved LEED Gold certification by U.S. Green Building Council.
In 2001, Opus expanded and opened an office in Kansas City.
“I grew up in Kansas City and still had family here," he said. “I wanted to go back."
It wasn't long and Oscar was moving his family to Kansas City, and he was promoted to Director of Construction. In 2013, he was promoted to his current position of Regional Vice President of Construction. Oscar manages construction operations, including design-build project management and field operations for the Kansas City market. He leads teams of project managers and construction superintendents working on Opus projects across multiple sectors.
“Oscar is the 'dean' of our construction leadership group," said Tom Becker, President and CEO of Construction. “With 38 years at Opus, he has both a wealth of industry experience and institutional knowledge. As a key leader in our Kansas City office, he has mentored many development and project management associates. Oscar is calm, authentic and confident. He's also quick with a joke or a story, which puts people at ease. He has earned the trust of many clients and capital partners, and I am grateful to have Oscar on our team."
Edison District in Kansas City was a complex undertaking that required digging deep to understand the owner's vision.
“Unable to make the project work financially with another architect and contractor, the owner was referred to Opus," Oscar said. “We sat down with them, asked a lot of questions and listened carefully to their answers. Within an hour and a half, we sketched out – literally on a whiteboard – a plan to solve the equation and move their project forward. After that meeting, the client never looked back and we delivered their vision for Edison District."
(Hear directly from the owner.)
“We couldn't have done it without having development, design and construction in-house at Opus. We are one team, so we can plan and control the entire process from the beginning to the end."
Oscar has delivered projects in nearly every sector of commercial real estate for Opus, but some of his most rewarding projects have been for educational institutions.
“In order to design and build spaces that will enhance educational programs, you need to work closely with the leaders and faculty at schools and universities," he said. “You need to understand how they educate."
He remembers fondly working with leaders at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, before he moved to Kansas City, to design and build the school's Frey Science & Engineering Center.
“The building needed to be sophisticated from a mechanical and electrical engineering standpoint," said Oscar. “They teach chemistry, so we designed and created systems for regulating the indoor environment, like precise temperature control and exhaust systems. It was so rewarding working with them because they were so passionate. And we delivered their new 'home' – a space that would enhance their curriculum for years to come."
Oscar is one of many long-tenured associates at Opus, but not everyone can say they knew Gerry and met his wife, Hanky, who was an instrumental support to Gerry's and Opus' success. Oscar often inspires others by telling their stories and relating them to modern day business practices at Opus.
That being said, Oscar's #1 family always comes first.
“You need to keep things in order. Recently my wife and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary. I hold that in even higher regard than my 38 years at Opus," he said with a smile. “We raised four kids together and that's an accomplishment."
Recently they welcomed their first grandchild to the family – a little girl.
***
Oscar holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Marquette University. He is a member of the Design-Build Institute of America and the United States Green Building Council and chairs the Olathe Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
In addition to his latest new hobby of being a grandparent, Oscar enjoys spending time at the beach with his family, playing pickleball and golf.
***
Our associates are talented, dedicated and knowledgeable. They streamline complex projects and always deliver value to clients. Read more profiles of our team.
Oscar was first introduced to Opus in 1984, before graduating from college, as part of a student co-op program.
“I've been here ever since," he said.
Building on Family Influence
Oscar's aptitude for engineering and construction came naturally.“My great uncle, who was also my godfather, was a civil engineer," Oscar said. “He lived in Louisville and we visited his family often. They lived in a log home that he renovated several times, adding on as his family grew. It was such a cool house and is still in the family today."
Oscar's great uncle was a skilled tradesman. When he designed and built additions on the house, it was hard to tell where the old ended and the new began.
“The additions looked like they had always been there," Oscar said. “Somebody would have to explain it to you. And he never wasted anything. When he tore down one part of the house, he'd keep the wood and find ways to use it elsewhere. He was also a really nice man. He's been gone for many years now, but he was an inspiring figure in my life."
Like his great uncle, Oscar brings incredible technical knowledge to the projects he leads – and he's a creative thinker. That combination helps him earn the respect and trust of clients. They recognize that he understands their goals and is thinking critically about how to add value – beyond what the basic drawings prescribe. In the category of sustainability, Oscar has led the construction of three buildings that achieved LEED Gold certification by U.S. Green Building Council.
Getting Started
Oscar first joined the company as a student co-op program through Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisc., where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. When he graduated, he was hired as an Associate Project Manager in Minneapolis. In the years that followed, he progressed through the typical project management ranks, being promoted to Project Manager and then Senior Project Manager.In 2001, Opus expanded and opened an office in Kansas City.
“I grew up in Kansas City and still had family here," he said. “I wanted to go back."
It wasn't long and Oscar was moving his family to Kansas City, and he was promoted to Director of Construction. In 2013, he was promoted to his current position of Regional Vice President of Construction. Oscar manages construction operations, including design-build project management and field operations for the Kansas City market. He leads teams of project managers and construction superintendents working on Opus projects across multiple sectors.
“Oscar is the 'dean' of our construction leadership group," said Tom Becker, President and CEO of Construction. “With 38 years at Opus, he has both a wealth of industry experience and institutional knowledge. As a key leader in our Kansas City office, he has mentored many development and project management associates. Oscar is calm, authentic and confident. He's also quick with a joke or a story, which puts people at ease. He has earned the trust of many clients and capital partners, and I am grateful to have Oscar on our team."
Delivering New Beginnings
“When we are designing and constructing buildings, we're essentially building new homes for businesses and/or residents," Oscar said. “It's so rewarding to see how pleased they are when they move in – knowing that we were able to understand their vision and deliver on it."Edison District in Kansas City was a complex undertaking that required digging deep to understand the owner's vision.
“Unable to make the project work financially with another architect and contractor, the owner was referred to Opus," Oscar said. “We sat down with them, asked a lot of questions and listened carefully to their answers. Within an hour and a half, we sketched out – literally on a whiteboard – a plan to solve the equation and move their project forward. After that meeting, the client never looked back and we delivered their vision for Edison District."
(Hear directly from the owner.)
“We couldn't have done it without having development, design and construction in-house at Opus. We are one team, so we can plan and control the entire process from the beginning to the end."
Oscar has delivered projects in nearly every sector of commercial real estate for Opus, but some of his most rewarding projects have been for educational institutions.
“In order to design and build spaces that will enhance educational programs, you need to work closely with the leaders and faculty at schools and universities," he said. “You need to understand how they educate."
He remembers fondly working with leaders at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, before he moved to Kansas City, to design and build the school's Frey Science & Engineering Center.
“The building needed to be sophisticated from a mechanical and electrical engineering standpoint," said Oscar. “They teach chemistry, so we designed and created systems for regulating the indoor environment, like precise temperature control and exhaust systems. It was so rewarding working with them because they were so passionate. And we delivered their new 'home' – a space that would enhance their curriculum for years to come."
Family Matters
“Opus has been part of my life for many years," said Oscar. “Family values are important here and I really feel fortunate to have experienced working here when our founder Gerry Rauenhorst was still in the business."Oscar is one of many long-tenured associates at Opus, but not everyone can say they knew Gerry and met his wife, Hanky, who was an instrumental support to Gerry's and Opus' success. Oscar often inspires others by telling their stories and relating them to modern day business practices at Opus.
That being said, Oscar's #1 family always comes first.
“You need to keep things in order. Recently my wife and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary. I hold that in even higher regard than my 38 years at Opus," he said with a smile. “We raised four kids together and that's an accomplishment."
Recently they welcomed their first grandchild to the family – a little girl.
***
Oscar holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Marquette University. He is a member of the Design-Build Institute of America and the United States Green Building Council and chairs the Olathe Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
In addition to his latest new hobby of being a grandparent, Oscar enjoys spending time at the beach with his family, playing pickleball and golf.
***
Our associates are talented, dedicated and knowledgeable. They streamline complex projects and always deliver value to clients. Read more profiles of our team.