John Ernest Dunn (Ernie) founded JE Dunn Construction Company in Kansas City, Missouri in 1924. His philosophy was simple: treat people fairly and offer clients quality service at a fair price. After more than 100 years, his vision of how to conduct business still influences our people today.

During WWII, JE Dunn built the Quartermaster Depot, a wartime supply facility, at cost. This act of integrity inspired by founder Ernie Dunn’s patriotism and his two sons’ service gained national attention – including that of President Franklin D. Roosevelt – and laid the foundation for the company’s community impact.

JE Dunn breaks into commercial and industrial markets including warehouse and office buildings. Project sizes increase and JE Dunn’s portfolio grows in Kansas City.

At JE Dunn, quality isn’t simply about executing the job as designed; it involves proactive planning, practice, and review on everyone’s part to ensure the best outcomes. Since the 1960s, we’ve refined our quality process into the “Focus 4 Quality” points that all teams follow today. What started with peer reviews led by two people has evolved into a robust team of experts who help maintain consistency and empower everyone on our jobsites.

William (Bill) H. Dunn Sr. was named president and CEO in 1974. Known affectionately as “Mr. Dunn” by employees, Bill carried on his father’s legacy by becoming a jack-of-all-trades. Over the years, he learned about every aspect of the business, from estimating and design-build to understanding and stressing the importance of safety and quality. His heartfelt approach to work and service to others enriched the company’s culture and set the standard for generosity and philanthropy.

In 1981, the Dunn Family Foundation was formed as a private charitable foundation through which the family’s legacy of generosity could continue to develop. Today, the foundation is managed by the JE Dunn Community Impact team, which also guides the company’s corporate philanthropy and employee engagement.

Bob Dunn, the youngest son of Bill Dunn Sr., spent more than three decades leading Community Affairs (now known as Community Impact) to evolve JE Dunn’s charitable efforts and engagement in the communities where we live, build, and work. Under Bob’s leadership, the department launched a number of initiatives, including the company’s Employee Match Gift Program, Community Ambassador Network, and National Volunteer Week among others. He championed our Best People + Right Culture mentality and worked with more than 50 local charitable organizations throughout his career before retiring in 2023.

Terry Dunn, the second oldest son of Bill Dunn Sr., was named CEO in 1989. His vision was to turn JE Dunn into a billion-dollar business. With roughly $100 million at the time, it was a tall order, but one that Terry would bring to fruition. He believed in teamwork and cultivated a “One Dunn” culture as the company grew. So long as JE Dunn’s people were trained well, worked together, and committed to doing the right thing, Terry knew success would follow.

As JE Dunn’s success grew, so did the company’s national footprint. With headquarters in Kansas City, the company grew from one office to seven through expansion and acquisitions. The momentum and presence continued to build throughout the 2000s. By 2008, the company had doubled in size with no signs of slowing down.

Construction, at its core, is a local business. JE Dunn has established itself through local expertise and community involvement, demonstrating ongoing dedication to building authentic partnerships and delivering high-quality work.

JE Dunn surpasses $1 billion in revenue, showcasing the strength of the company’s portfolio and growing presence in markets across the country.

The establishment of the ESOP sought a new way to empower and reward JE Dunn’s workforce as the company expanded. Embedded in the company’s culture, annual ESOP celebrations bring to the forefront its importance as an initiative which fosters a direct connection between employee owners and company performance, enhancing engagement and motivation across all levels.

Gordon Lansford, the first non-Dunn family President and CEO of the company, carries on the legacy of putting people first. With more than 25 years at JE Dunn, including 15 as CFO, he helped transition JE Dunn to employee ownership.

As the company grew, so did the need for machinery, leading to the creation of “The Warehouse.” Rebranded as Blue Hat in 2013, it now operates as an independent division providing tools and solutions supporting both JE Dunn and external clients.

JE Dunn Capital Partners (JEDCP) is the real-estate investment arm of JE Dunn. JEDCP co-invests with trusted developer sponsors in select real estate projects built by JE Dunn. Combining construction expertise with strong investor connections, JEDCP has deployed millions in diverse projects across key markets, focusing on quality relationships and strategic growth.

JE Dunn extended the company’s philosophy of investing in the communities in which we work in 2020. Eligible employees can donate up to $1,000 per year to charitable organizations of their choosing, and JE Dunn will match 100% of the contributions.

JE Dunn created a division, Aptitude™: Intelligent Integration, to provide a customizable, full-scope building connectivity solution. Aptitude coordinates and manages every part of the technology package, from design through commissioning.

JE Dunn’s Preconstruction teams began sharing Quarterly Cost Index (QCI) numbers across markets in 2013. This valuable resource evolved into a national quarterly economic report, The Look Ahead, that expands to cover national market conditions, construction indicators, and current events impacting the industry.

JE Dunn launched a Centennial initiative, Building a Legacy: A Century of Generosity, extending JE Dunn’s community impact, and celebrating the employees and communities that have been foundational to the company’s success and longevity. JE Dunn employees selected 10 worthy organizations to receive a $100,000 grant to empower their work. The campaign resulted in a nationwide impact of more than $1 million.