Jack Kulka, founder of Kulka Construction Corp. and HIA-LI, dies

Hauppauge, NY Jack Kulka, PE, LEED AP, the founder of Kulka Construction Corp and founding member of the Hauppauge Industrial Association (HIA-LI), has died at the age of 79. The news was announced by his son, Devin, and his family. Jack leaves behind his beloved Harriet; his five children, Devin Kulka, Paula Zeeman, Amy Marks, Nell Kalter, and Leigh Becker; his five grandchildren, Michael Becker, Jadyn Becker, Mackenzie Marks, Brynn Zeeman, and Kylie Zeeman; his daughter-in-law, Danielle Kulka; and his son-in-law, Scott Zeeman. 

“My father was a visionary businessman and a strong advocate for Long Island and the working people who make it what it is. He helped shape the Long Island landscape forever,” said Devin Kulka, CEO of The Kulka Group, based in Hauppauge, NY. “His legacy is his large, blended family, the business he created and the friendships he made throughout his life. We thank everyone for their well wishes at this challenging time for our family.” 

“Jack built an empire and, as one of the original founders of the HIA-LI, was a driving force. He had a passion and vision for building in the Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge and helped the organization lead a group of business professionals to get them what they needed when they needed it to help their businesses thrive. He was relentless about everything he did and showed us what real tenacity looked like,” said Terri Alessi-Miceli, president. & CEO of HIA-LI. “I was fortunate enough to have worked alongside him and he showed me that if you bring the right people together for the right reasons anything can get accomplished. I felt privileged to work and learn from him.  We are forever grateful.”

Jack Kulka was born to immigrant parents and grew up an only child in the Bronx. At a young age, his intelligence was quickly recognized, and he received a full scholarship to attend The Bronx High School of Science. Upon graduating, he received a full scholarship to NYU where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and subsequently became a Professional Engineer in both New York and New Jersey. 

At age 34, he founded Kulka Construction Corp (now The Kulka Group) and created the idea of Construction Management across Long Island. He was the only non-lawyer involved with creating the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) contractual documents and quickly became recognized for giving clients quality building at a lower cost. Over the course of thirty-nine years, before he turned the business over to his son, Devin, Jack was responsible for the construction of more than 22 million s/f of commercial projects across the Tri-State and South Florida. He was an outspoken and unapologetic advocate for his industry and its people. 

“Not only were we interested in building the most economical projects for our clients, but we wanted to make sure it was of the highest quality and met very stringent scheduling requirements,” said Kulka in a 2018 interview. “Our clients not only got the best job for the money, but they got the best possible job that could be done that adhered to code. Contractors working for us had to adhere to the strictest construction and quality standards. Clients got a superior project at an exceptional price.” 

Kulka held several leadership positions in organizations tied to both his professional and personal life. He served time with the Commack Jewish Center, the Long Island Israeli Bond Campaign, The United Way of Long Island, The Suffolk County Crimestoppers, The American Cancer Society, The St. Johns Episcopal Hospital and The Hauppauge Educational Foundation. Kulka is also the past president and founder of the Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center, the Farmingdale College Foundation and the Hauppauge Industrial Association.

Kulka was a member of the New York’s State Society of Professional Engineers and served on numerous organizational governing and advisory boards including the Touro Law Center, the Metropolitan New York Chapter of the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs, the Bi-County Political Action Committee, the Long Island Holocaust Committee and the Hauppauge Industrial Association. He is also a member of the Suffolk County Electrical Agency.

Services in his honor will be held Sunday, October 2, 2022, at the Star of David Memorial Chapel at 9:45 a.m. Burial service will follow directly after chapel service. 

The family will be sitting shiva at 16 Wyandanch Blvd. Smithtown N.Y. 11787.

The family has requested that shiva visits be limited to the following times: 

• Sunday: Following the service
• Monday, October 3, 2022 @ 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. 
• Tuesday, October 4, 2022 @ 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.