We’re excited to welcome Blake Krause, Lead Customer Success Manager, to the Beam team! Read on to learn about his path from architecture to construction tech, what inspires him about Beam, and why now is the time for contractors to adopt tools that actually work for them—not against them.
Tell us a little about your background—what led you to a career in construction technology?
From a childhood of playing with Lincoln Logs, Legos and SimCity, I’ve always been interested in building. I followed that passion to architecture school and practiced in the field for several years before moving into the energy industry, where I worked on some pretty groundbreaking projects. Having spent time in design, construction and manufacturing, it’s clear I really enjoy being part of the built environment. Today, working with technology that serves these industries allows me to maintain my connection to building while empowering companies to do their best work.
What excites you most about joining Beam?
Beam has created some robust tools that allow our customers to focus on what they do best, which is building their projects. Projects succeed when they're financially well-managed and efficiently executed, so I genuinely get excited to help customers strengthen their processes and adopt game-changing tools.
In your experience, what are the biggest challenges contractors face?
The exchange of information and funds face a lot of bottlenecks in construction. These obstacles can come from restrictive contract language, personnel delays, or manual administrative tasks that eat up a lot of time. Even small issues - an unsigned change order, a delayed substitution approval, or a payment application typo - can literally bring a project to a screeching halt.
How do you see technology transforming the industry, and where does Beam fit in?
Technology isn't just available, it's essential for long-term success. I'm convinced that the CTO role in construction is becoming absolutely crucial for success. With new tech emerging everyday, implementing the right suite of tools will determine which companies remain competitive.
If you could build your dream house, what architectural style would you choose, and why?
Designing a home for a client comes naturally, but envisioning one for myself proves surprisingly difficult. My preferred style shift based on a variety of factors - climate, topography, neighborhood, and more. I do lean heavily towards modernism while using warm and inviting materials. Anything by Olson Kundig or Alter Studio grabs my attention.
