{"id":43107,"date":"2025-08-14T11:10:04","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T16:10:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jedunn.com\/?page_id=43107"},"modified":"2025-12-14T09:58:47","modified_gmt":"2025-12-14T15:58:47","slug":"history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/jedunn.com\/history\/","title":{"rendered":"A Storied Legacy"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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A Storied Legacy<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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100 years in the making<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Billion in Completed Work<\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>
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Employees<\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>
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Ranked General Contractor<\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Billion in Completed Work<\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>
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Employees<\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>
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Ranked General Contractor<\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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The JE Dunn Journey<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Success isn\u2019t built overnight. For a company with more than 100 years of experience, there are many stories woven into the fabric of its history. Click through the timeline below to discover key moments that chronicle JE Dunn Construction\u2019s incredible history.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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1924<\/span>
Our journey begins<\/span><\/div><\/div>

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.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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1924<\/span>
Our journey begins<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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1943<\/span>
Doing the right thing<\/span><\/div><\/div>

During WWII, JE Dunn built the Quartermaster Depot, a wartime supply facility, at cost. This act of integrity inspired by founder Ernie Dunn\u2019s patriotism and his two sons\u2019 service gained national attention \u2013 including that of President Franklin D. Roosevelt \u2013 and laid the foundation for the company\u2019s community impact.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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1943<\/span>
Doing the right thing<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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1950s<\/span>
Scaling<\/span><\/div><\/div>

JE Dunn breaks into commercial and industrial markets including warehouse and office buildings. Project sizes increase and JE Dunn\u2019s portfolio grows in Kansas City.<\/p>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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1950s<\/span>
Scaling<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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1965<\/span>
Quality Assurance<\/span><\/div><\/div>

At JE Dunn, quality isn\u2019t simply about executing the job as designed; it involves proactive planning, practice, and review on everyone\u2019s part to ensure the best outcomes. Since the 1960s, we\u2019ve refined our quality process into the \u201cFocus 4 Quality\u201d 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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1965<\/span>
Quality Assurance<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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1974<\/span>
Bill Dunn Sr. named CEO<\/span><\/div><\/div>

William (Bill) H. Dunn Sr. was named president and CEO in 1974. Known affectionately as \u201cMr. Dunn\u201d by employees, Bill carried on his father\u2019s 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\u2019s culture and set the standard for generosity and philanthropy.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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1974<\/span>
Bill Dunn Sr. named CEO<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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1981<\/span>
Dunn Family Foundation<\/span><\/div><\/div>

In 1981, the Dunn Family Foundation was formed as a private charitable foundation through which the family\u2019s legacy of generosity could continue to develop. Today, the foundation is managed by the JE Dunn Community Impact team, which also guides the company\u2019s corporate philanthropy and employee engagement.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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1981<\/span>
Dunn Family Foundation<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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1987<\/span>
Bob Dunn transforms Community Impact<\/span><\/div><\/div>

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\u2019s charitable efforts and engagement in the communities where we live, build, and work. Under Bob\u2019s leadership, the department launched a number of initiatives, including the company\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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1987<\/span>
Bob Dunn transforms Community Impact<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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1989<\/span>
Terry Dunn named CEO<\/span><\/div><\/div>

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 \u201cOne Dunn\u201d culture as the company grew. So long as JE Dunn\u2019s people were trained well, worked together, and committed to doing the right thing, Terry knew success would follow.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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1989<\/span>
Terry Dunn named CEO<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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1990s \u2013 2000s<\/span>
An era of growth and expansion<\/span><\/div><\/div>

As JE Dunn\u2019s success grew, so did the company\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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An era of growth and expansion<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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1999<\/span>
Revenue milestone<\/span><\/div><\/div>

JE Dunn surpasses $1 billion in revenue, showcasing the strength of the company\u2019s portfolio and growing presence in markets across the country.<\/p>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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1999<\/span>
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2010<\/span>
Employee Stock Ownership Plan<\/span><\/div><\/div>

The establishment of the ESOP sought a new way to empower and reward JE Dunn\u2019s workforce as the company expanded. Embedded in the company\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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2010<\/span>
Employee Stock Ownership Plan<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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2013<\/span>
Gordon Lansford named CEO<\/span><\/div><\/div>

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.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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2013<\/span>
Gordon Lansford named CEO<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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2013<\/span>
JE Dunn's Equipment Story<\/span><\/div><\/div>

As the company grew, so did the need for machinery, leading to the creation of \u201cThe Warehouse.\u201d Rebranded as Blue Hat in 2013, it now operates as an independent division providing tools and solutions supporting both JE Dunn and external clients.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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2013<\/span>
JE Dunn's Equipment Story<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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2015<\/span>
An Innovative Investment Partner<\/span><\/div><\/div>

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.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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2015<\/span>
An Innovative Investment Partner<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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2020<\/span>
Employee Matching Gift Program<\/span><\/div><\/div>

JE Dunn extended the company\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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2020<\/span>
Employee Matching Gift Program<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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2021<\/span>
Smart buildings<\/span><\/div><\/div>

JE Dunn created a division, Aptitude\u2122: 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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2021<\/span>
Smart buildings<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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2023<\/span>
The Look Ahead<\/span><\/div><\/div>

JE Dunn\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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2023<\/span>
The Look Ahead<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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2024<\/span>
100 years in business<\/span><\/div><\/div>

JE Dunn launched a Centennial initiative, Building a Legacy: A Century of Generosity<\/em>, extending JE Dunn\u2019s community impact, and celebrating the employees and communities that have been foundational to the company\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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2024<\/span>
100 years in business<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

$8+ Billion in Completed Work 5,000+ Employees #8 Ranked General Contractor $8+ Billion in Completed Work 5,000+ Employees #8 Ranked General Contractor The JE Dunn Journey Success isn\u2019t built overnight. For a company with more than 100 years of experience, there are many stories woven into the fabric of its history. Click through the timeline […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":43110,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"content-type":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"elements":[],"wf_page_folders":[],"class_list":["post-43107","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jedunn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/43107","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jedunn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jedunn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jedunn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jedunn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43107"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/jedunn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/43107\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49294,"href":"https:\/\/jedunn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/43107\/revisions\/49294"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jedunn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43110"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jedunn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43107"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"elements","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jedunn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/elements?post=43107"},{"taxonomy":"wf_page_folders","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jedunn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wf_page_folders?post=43107"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}