Southern Mesa | Colorado Springs, CO
Commercial Construction Expertise Built on Experience
Southern Mesa is a premier commercial contractor serving businesses, property owners, and organizations throughout Colorado Springs and the surrounding area. With more than 15 years of construction experience, our team brings a thoughtful, detail-driven approach to every project—combining reliable project management, quality craftsmanship, and clear communication from start to finish.
We support a wide range of commercial environments, including offices, retail spaces, restaurants, hospitality businesses, medical and wellness facilities, multifamily properties, and more. From renovations and tenant improvements to additions and exterior upgrades, we create spaces that support the way each business operates.
Our commercial team is backed by the same experienced Southern Mesa professionals who serve homeowners throughout the Colorado Springs area, bringing a strong understanding of craftsmanship, functionality, finishes, and attention to detail. Combined with our focus on schedules, budgets, and business needs, we deliver a construction experience that is responsive, dependable, and built around getting the project right.
Our Value
Quality work from dedicated professionals.
Proudly serving businesses and commercial properties throughout Colorado’s Front Range and surrounding mountain communities, from Fort Collins and Denver to Colorado Springs and Pueblo with dependable construction, renovation, and improvement services.
To be Colorado Springs’ most trusted commercial construction partner, known for building lasting relationships, elevating the spaces where businesses thrive, and bringing the same Southern Mesa standard of care to every commercial and residential project we take on.
To deliver exceptional commercial construction through quality craftsmanship, clear communication, and dependable project management—creating spaces that help businesses operate, grow, and succeed.
Meet our team
Meet the Southern Mesa Team
Behind every Southern Mesa project is a team of experienced construction professionals who care about doing things the right way.
Owner
Kyle Cockram began his construction journey in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. His professional career started with remodeling homes full time in 2008 after growing up with a contractor father, project manager grandfather, and master electrician grandfather. Over the next 5 years Kyle gained extensive interior remodeling experience as well as additions, new construction, outdoor living, and more. He then moved to Louisiana where he met his wife, RayLynne. There he continued in the construction industry and added some light commercial construction to his resume. Kyle and RayLynne have a passion for meeting new people and experiencing new cultures so they left Louisiana in 2016 and moved to Indiana, Oregon, and finally landed in Colorado Springs in 2017. Throughout that year Kyle continued to expand his construction knowledge and grew his landscaping knowledge by working as a Head Groundskeeper at a campground as well as working for a Tiny House company in Oregon. In Colorado Springs, Kyle began working for a decking and landscape company. He worked his way up to Operations Manager over his 5 years there and was able to learn the ins and outs of what it takes to run a business. Knowing he still had a passion for interior construction work he took that knowledge and with a leap of faith started Southern Mesa at the end of 2021. Outside of work Kyle enjoys spending time with his two daughters, son, and RayLynne exploring the outdoors of Colorado. Kyle and RayLynne still have a passion for travel but when that’s not possible Kyle can be found hiking, fly fishing, or hunting.
Owner
Jim Kenney has been with Southern Mesa since May 2024 and currently serves as the Co-Director of the Commercial & New Construction Divisions. Jim began working in construction at the age of 18 as a laborer while attending Trinity International University. He graduated with a degree in Sports Wellness and pursued training in exercise and coaching for a time, but ultimately felt drawn back to full-time construction and project management.
After graduating, Jim returned to Colorado Springs to focus on commercial construction, where his attention to detail and natural leadership abilities allowed him to advance into a Lead Superintendent role in just under a year. He went on to spend more than ten years in the commercial construction industry, primarily in the Colorado Springs area, overseeing a variety of notable and complex projects.
Jim’s experience includes managing renovations of numerous rooms and several key restaurants at The Broadmoor Hotel, work on the Cog Railway, and the renovation of the historic Sacred Heart Church in Old Colorado City. He also managed the establishment of the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame and has served as both Superintendent and Project Manager for numerous tenant improvement projects spanning from Fort Collins to Cañon City.
In 2022, Jim branched out on his own, but soon decided he wanted to increase his reach within both the commercial and residential construction spaces by partnering with another construction company in the Colorado Springs area. Around that same time, he began developing close friendships within Southern Mesa and found that his own values aligned closely with the company’s vision and values. He officially joined Southern Mesa in May 2024, helping further develop and grow the Commercial & New Construction Divisions.
Outside of work, Jim serves as a mentor and football coach at CSCS and enjoys spending quality time with his wife, daughter, and extended family.
Owner
Cody Nemmer has been with Southern Mesa since January 2023 and currently serves as the Co-Director of the Commercial & New Construction Divisions. Cody began his construction career at the age of 17 as a tile setter in Colorado Springs. Shortly after finishing high school and looking for a change of pace and scenery, he moved to the Pacific Northwest, where he continued developing his tile-setting skills under union-trained instruction, though he was never a union member himself. After achieving Journeyman status, Cody expanded his experience into general construction and project management, developing a well-rounded understanding of both craftsmanship and the broader construction process.
In 2008, Cody started his own construction company and successfully operated it for 14 years. During that time, he built a diverse portfolio of projects ranging from simple tub surround replacements to overseeing projects valued at more than half a million dollars. His experience in the Pacific Northwest also included working on several key architectural features in multi-million-dollar homes, further strengthening his attention to detail, high-end construction knowledge, and project management experience.
After 21 years in Washington, Cody moved his family back to Colorado Springs in 2021, drawn by the sunshine, year-round hiking, and the opportunity to be closer to family. Since returning to Colorado, he has continued managing significant projects, including a complete renovation of the cafeteria at the Myron Stratton Home and a tenant improvement renovation for America’s Best in the Colorado Springs area.
With more than 20 years of construction experience, Cody approaches every project with the goal of delivering the highest level of quality, craftsmanship, and overall experience for each client. Outside of work, he is an avid cook, whiskey enthusiast, mountain biker, and enjoys jiu-jitsu, vintage Winnebagos, architecture, and exploring anywhere in the mountains. He is also always happy to talk about whiskey or share a donut recommendation from somewhere around the country. Cody, his wife Grace, their son James, and Islay, their endlessly energetic pup, can often be found on an adventure somewhere in Colorado.
Co-Founder
Dan Peake has been with Southern Mesa since June 2026 and currently serves as one of the Estimators for the Commercial & New Construction Divisions. Dan began his construction career at just 16 years old while enrolled in a two-year construction technology program. From there, he spent his early adulthood developing hands-on experience in framing and roofing before expanding his knowledge across many areas of the construction industry.
With more than 25 years of construction and related industry experience, Dan has built a comprehensive understanding of construction from the ground up. His career includes five years as a logistics contractor, three years in waterworks utility sales and service, experience in commercial painting, and a formidable ten years specializing in foundation installation and repair. Most recently, he worked in emergency restoration services, managing asbestos, mold, and water mitigation projects alongside full reconstruction services.
Dan’s diverse career has taken him across the country, managing projects and serving clients throughout Ohio, Michigan, Utah, Missouri, Georgia, Florida, Oregon, California, and Colorado. His broad background in framing, roofing, utilities, restoration, reconstruction, foundation repair, and commercial painting allows him to bring extensive field experience and practical construction knowledge to the estimating side of Southern Mesa’s Commercial & New Construction Divisions.
In 2013, Dan and his wife, Britnye, decided to make Colorado their permanent home and have since welcomed four children to their family. Outside of work, Dan is an outdoor sports enthusiast who enjoys spending time outside and heading out on camping adventures with his family.
Co-Founder
Thaddeus (Thad) Murphy has been with Southern Mesa since April 2025, he is currently a Superintendent with one of our Construction Crews. Thad is a seasoned construction professional with decades of hands-on experience in carpentry and general contracting.
Over the course of his career, he has contributed to the successful completion of more than 400 remodeling projects and has held key roles with respected companies including Daniel Berry, Gateway Torres, BC Carpentry, Colarelli, Bob McGrath, and Precision Trim Carpentry. Holding a General Contractor License, Thad has managed and executed a wide range of high-profile commercial and residential construction projects.
His subcontracting work includes major contributions to PPRBD commercial cabinet installations, as well as Big R store sets across Colorado and New Mexico—covering locations such as Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Monument, La Veta, Conifer, Evergreen, Las Vegas (NM), and Durango. Notable achievements include designing and installing commercial cabinetry packages for GMC dealership renovations at South Academy GMC and Transwest GMC in Commerce City, as well as serving as carpenter foreman on the Broadmoor Event Center, where he oversaw all commercial doors, hardware, and millwork installations.
He also played a part in constructing the new Colorado Springs Airport, including satellite terminals and hangars. Thad was educated through a four-year carpenter apprenticeship led by industry veterans from GE Johnson, Copestone, Daniel Berry, and Colorado Structures. Thad pairs deep technical knowledge with field-tested leadership. He has also successfully supervised multiple tenant finish projects, demonstrating a strong ability to coordinate teams and deliver high-quality results on time and within budget.
Co-Founder
Joshua Day-Salazar has been with Southern Mesa since June 2026 and currently serves as a Commercial Superintendent. Joshua brings a diverse construction background with extensive experience in tile, stonework, commercial construction, and project supervision. He began his career working as a stone mason with Nick P. Wright for more than two years before spending over eight years with Millcreek Tile and Stone, where he developed the level of expertise that has earned him recognition as a master tiler.
Throughout his career, Joshua has contributed to a wide range of large-scale and high-profile projects, including Utah’s newest prison, Hill Air Force Base, Salt Lake City International Airport, Logan Regional Hospital, University of Utah Hospital, Park City Town Square, and F.E. Warren Air Force Base. He also spent more than four years serving in joint-operation assistant superintendent roles with Oakland Construction, Jacobsen Construction, and Layton Construction, gaining valuable experience coordinating complex commercial projects, trades, and field operations.
In addition to his commercial experience, Joshua has worked on numerous residential construction projects throughout Utah and Colorado, giving him a well-rounded understanding of construction across a variety of project types. His combination of hands-on trade expertise and field leadership allows him to approach each project with a strong attention to detail, practical problem-solving skills, and an understanding of what it takes to keep work moving efficiently.
Outside of work, Joshua enjoys spending time with his two dogs and getting outdoors to hike, camp, fish, and swim. He is also an avid card collector and serious gamer.