About Us
Rush
Behnke, Owner, General Contractor
Rush has 30 years of construction and contracting experience. He spent 18 years working at a resort area in Northern Idaho (Priest Lake). In addition, Rush has maintained a custom cabinet and countertop shop, as well as owned a full-service building supply and a home interior retail store.
Rush follows generally accepted accounting principles, time management principles, and carefully adheres to rules set by governing agencies.
He carefully selects subcontractors, only using people who have positive attitudes, who stay on schedule, back their work for several years and are committed to providing exceptional high quality work. Rush’s ability to maintain and manage outstanding people is what he describes as, “My gift to my customers!”
“Custom one-of-a-kind homes have been my bread and butter for the last 12 years. But with the poor economy, my extensive background in remodeling and renovation has become an important card.”
During the down economy Rush has chosen to use his spare time for others. Serving his neighbors is more important to him than serving himself. He donated his time and talents to build and fundraise for 6 months as one of two general contractors at Hearts With A Mission, creating a home for young homeless people.
Following completion of that project, Ark Built worked on a Wounded Soldier Project for Cody Smith. The project brought to the family close to $200,000 in materials, services and cash. Cody Smith was wounded in Afghanistan. Smith returned home confined to a wheelchair. There were no veterans programs to help. Ark Built made sure Smith came home a hero and to a better quality of life.
Rush also co-produces Dancing with the Rogue Valley Stars for Sparrow Clubs and USA Dance #1011. In addition, he produced Battle for the Mic for Wilderness Trails.
“I believe our best foot is forward when we empower people to attain to their God-given rights and gifts,” says Ark Built Energy owner Rush Behnke.
Ark Built’s uncompromising pursuit of excellent quality, quick service, and constant communication are what continues to bring quality projects his way.
The creation of Ark Built Energy comes from the sense of partnership and commitment to customer service. This creates the design/build services required in today’s competitive world.
Ken Snelling of Ken Snelling Design Associates
Education
- Bachelor of Architectural Design with Honors, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.
Experience - 40+ years designing award-winning quality homes.
Since 1979, Ken Snelling has designed custom buildings and homes throughout the Rogue Valley. He graduated with a five year professional degree of architecture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he met his wife of 35 years, Jennifer, a local first grade teacher. And it doesn't take much persuasion to get him bragging about his grown children: two daughters, son, son-in-law, and one (and a half) grandsons.
Although Ken has since transitioned to focusing fully on design work, he spent the first half of his career designing and building. This hands-on construction experience has added to his appreciation of the entire of the building process. His design portfolio includes custom homes as well as a variety of small commercial buildings, including a golf clubhouse, winery and tasting room, restaurants, and churches.
Each of his designs reflects the meticulous process he uses to create structures that are not only unique and beautiful but also thoughtfully functional. He integrates the desires and needs of each owner while taking advantage of the unique characteristics of a particular site. Perhaps this is what has kept him anchored in the Rogue Valley: he enjoys the challenge of creating an interior atmosphere that incorporates the views and natural sunlight of this region.
During early adulthood, Ken developed an interest and passion for the needs of the mentally and physically disabled community. With the medical skills developed as a Ski Patrol volunteer on Mount Ashland, he was invited to participate in a series of unique events with Special Olympics, including two cross-country cycling trips and climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. In 1995, he co-directed a team of seven core disabled athletes on a 14,000 mile cycling trip around the circumference of the world, with the goal of increasing handicapped awareness, showing the potential of handicapped persons, and promoting handicapped accessibility.
In 2011, the Wounded Warrior construction project with Rush Behnke was a natural blend of Ken's concern for the needs of the disabled and his experience in designing custom functional spaces. With a shared passion for philanthropy, creativity, and craftsman-style work, Rush and Ken have formed a natural friendship and a great working relationship in Ark Built.
To see projects designed by Ken Snelling Design and built by other contractors, click here.