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National Economic Webinar
Live Stream
June 26
2 PM CDT
It is difficult to encapsulate a legacy of 100 years. It may rest in the skyline of hometown Kansas City or in other communities across the country where JE Dunn cranes reach skyward. Maybe it is in the ability to survive and grow as a family and employee-owned business, or in the way we have fostered loyalty among generations of employees. One thing is certain: the JE Dunn legacy can be found in its spirit of excellence, of giving and growing into the 21st century, and its continued commitment to core values.
Over the next several decades, JE Dunn weathered economic ups and downs, maintained level-headedness while labor unions formed and civil rights struggles ensued, and in 1964 said goodbye to its founder and namesake. When Ernie Dunn passed away, the company's net worth was $1.4 million, and it employed 35 people. Today, John Ernest Dunn is recognized as a pioneer in the industry. At the end of the century, Engineering News Record named Ernie as one of 125 most important people in construction history, alongside names like Thomas Edison, and Frank Lloyd Wright Jr.
As business grew, so did Mr. Dunn's reputation for giving back. An honest, transparent businessman and leader in the community, his name is synonymous with generosity. Bill Dunn is often referred to as the heart and soul of JE Dunn, spending more than 70 years working to make it the great company it is today. His leadership, faith, and drive to succeed while also honoring the employees and clients of JE Dunn and always putting them first, has set the standard of operations for the company for decades and into the future.
Since day one, JE Dunn and our employees have been committed to giving back to our local communities. JE Dunn’s corporate philanthropy invests 10 percent of net income in charitable causes across the country and empowers our employees to engage in their local communities. From coast to coast, JE Dunn and our employees are committed to making an impact across our 26 offices through volunteerism, a 1:1 Employee Match Program, and national network of Community Ambassadors.
In 2010, JE Dunn ushered in its Employee Stock Ownership Plan, going from a family-owned company to family and employee-owned. Employee-ownership fits the Dunn family’s long-term philosophy of sharing rewards with the company’s most valued asset: its people. In 2014, Gordon Lansford was named the first non-Dunn family member to lead the company as President and CEO. Prior to this role, he served as Chief Financial Officer for 15 years at JE Dunn and was instrumental in implementing the ESOP. Under Gordon’s leadership, the company continues to experience growth and success, while staying true to its guiding principles. As we approach our centennial, we celebrate our past and founder's vision while evolving as a leading provider of construction management services, design-build, and client-centered project delivery.
