This summer, WDS welcomed a familiar last name to the team. Kate Westra, daughter of owner Ben Westra, joined the company as a summer intern – marking the 5th generation of family members to take the step into the construction industry.
For Kate, this summer was all about getting a closer look at WDS and learning from the inside out. “I’ve always been intrigued by what goes on behind the scenes at WDS,” she said. “It was the right time to dive in, and I reached out to Denita [WDS Executive Vice President] to see if there might be an opportunity. She’s been fantastic to work with.”
Over the course of the summer, Kate rotated through different areas of the business, gaining perspective on how each part fits into the bigger picture. From estimating – where she enjoyed digging into the details of plans and pricing – to shadowing team members from other departments, she set out to understand not just the “what” but the “why” of WDS’s process.
She also discovered something unexpected – seeing her father in a new light. “It was fun hearing people talk about my dad and see how he interacts with the team,” Kate said. “I got to see a side of him I don’t get to see at home.”
While her time at WDS was an internship, stepping into the family business carried weight. “It’s definitely an honor to be the 5th generation,” Kate reflected. “It’s exciting but also a little scary – those are big footsteps to follow. But it’s really neat to see that the passion for construction has carried through the generations.”
Her father, Ben, shared a similar sentiment. “It’s an incredibly proud moment. At the same time, it’s important to her mom and I that Kate explores her own path. Just like I did with my dad, she’ll gain experience both here and elsewhere. Whatever direction she takes, the lessons she’s learning now will serve her well.”
For Kate, those lessons are already resonating. Ben, too, sees value in the perspective she’s gaining under Denita’s leadership. “I told Kate, soak up everything Denita does,” he said. “It’s not just the work product – it’s how she interacts with clients and teammates, and the standards she sets for herself before expecting them of others. That exposure is a gift.”
Ben joked that Kate has the “virus” of construction in her blood. “As a parent, you always hope you’ll get the chance to work with your kids and dream it might happen. But you never want to pressure them – you want to encourage while letting them make their own decisions.”
While Kate is charting her own path, the Westra family’s influence on WDS is undeniable. “Family is part of our core purpose and why we exist,” Ben shared. “It drives us and infiltrates everything we do. Our tradition is rooted in putting people first – our employees and their families. When you hire the right people and support them, they bring passion and pride to serving clients, and that’s what fuels WDS’s success.”
Whether her future is in construction or in something else, this summer gave Kate a firsthand look at the drive, ambition, and passion that define WDS. As she put it: “People here love what they do. They want to be here. That’s something really special.”
Looking back, Kate’s earliest memories of the company are lighthearted – sitting in her dad’s office at the old building, watching Finding Nemo and snacking on mints. Now, those memories are layered with new experiences and new perspectives. While she is starting her junior year in high school with graduation and college on the horizon, Kate hopes this won’t be her last time at WDS. “I’d love to keep interning here as I go through school,” she said.