a je dunn miniseries
building
texas
Featured Episode
The Early Years
Part 1
Episode: 1
November 2022
17 minutes
about this episode
In 1997, JE Dunn Construction – a reputable and family-owned construction company from the Midwest – decided to make a permanent move to Texas and opened their first office in Houston. Gordon Lansford CEO and President of JE Dunn talks about the early years and how the people have been critical to the success in Texas.
Our Guest
Gordon Lansford
President
Chief Executive Officer
As President and Chief Executive Officer, Gordon oversees the operations of our six regions and 26 offices as well as the corporate staff. Some of his specific responsibilities include strategy, talent development, client service, operational excellence, a unique culture, and innovation. Gordon maintains key relationships with clients; civic and political leaders; banks; sureties; trade partners; and other stakeholders.
A graduate of Baker University, Gordon began his career with KPMG prior to joining JE Dunn Construction in 1996, serving as JE Dunn’s Chief Financial Officer from 1998-2013. In his current role, Gordon has built upon the strong culture and values of taking care of employees and their families that three generations of the Dunn family before him developed and maintained. He has created a culture of employee fulfillment and empowerment—including helping implement the Employee Stock Ownership Program—while continuing to maintain a focus on client experience and satisfaction and driving profitable growth.
Gordon has a deep commitment to giving back to the community, dedicating his time to serving on boards and committees. Some of these include his serving on the American Royal Board of Directors and as Chairman; Baker University Board of Trustees Chairman; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City Board of Directors; Civic Council of Kansas City Board of Directors and Executive Committee; Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce as Chairman of the Board; KC Common Good Board of Directors; UMB Bank Board of Directors; and as an MRIGlobal Trustee.
25 Years in the Making
At the end of 2021, JE Dunn Construction had weathered two years of the pandemic, navigated historical inflation on supplies and materials, and renewed its efforts on recruitment and retention in this ever-changing work environment. And through it all, our Texas and Oklahoma markets reached the end of the year with a significant milestone: +$1 billion in sales.
But this success didn’t happen overnight. And we’ve never gauged success by sales and revenue alone.
It was hard earned, relationship by relationship, project by project, changing skylines and overcoming significant challenges. We recruited the best talent and invested in the most innovative tools and technology to disrupt the construction industry.
In this JE Dunn miniseries, we’re digging into the story of building Texas for the last 25 years and how we’ve played a role in shaping the future for all Texans as told by the people who have been part of this journey and continue to lead the way.
Host
Chuck Lipscomb
Senior Vice President
Austin Office Leader
About
Chuck Lipscomb was promoted to Austin Office Leader for JE Dunn. Lipscomb was formerly the Regional Director of Client Solutions for JE Dunn’s Texas and Oklahoma region, overseeing business development strategy and client experience. Lipscomb has 15 years of experience with JE Dunn and brings deep knowledge of the local market and trusted partnerships in the AEC industry and larger community. He will focus on market strategy, client experience, and long-term direction for Austin. Chuck is passionate about building strong communities and economic prosperity for all. He currently serves on several local boards and committees including Opportunity Austin, a regional economic development initiative along with The Seton Fifty/Seton Fund Boards which are making transformative impacts on healthcare in Central Texas.Chuck enjoys spending quality time with his family – wife Mandi, daughters Nevell and Meredith and son Davis.
More Episodes
The Early Years
Part 1
Episode: 1
November 2022
17 minutes
about this episode
In 1997, JE Dunn Construction – a reputable and family-owned construction company from the Midwest – decided to make a permanent move to Texas and opened their first office in Houston. Gordon Lansford CEO and President of JE Dunn talks about the early years and how the people have been critical to the success in Texas.
Our Guest
Gordon Lansford
President
Chief Executive Officer
As President and Chief Executive Officer, Gordon oversees the operations of our six regions and 26 offices as well as the corporate staff. Some of his specific responsibilities include strategy, talent development, client service, operational excellence, a unique culture, and innovation. Gordon maintains key relationships with clients; civic and political leaders; banks; sureties; trade partners; and other stakeholders.
A graduate of Baker University, Gordon began his career with KPMG prior to joining JE Dunn Construction in 1996, serving as JE Dunn’s Chief Financial Officer from 1998-2013. In his current role, Gordon has built upon the strong culture and values of taking care of employees and their families that three generations of the Dunn family before him developed and maintained. He has created a culture of employee fulfillment and empowerment—including helping implement the Employee Stock Ownership Program—while continuing to maintain a focus on client experience and satisfaction and driving profitable growth.
Gordon has a deep commitment to giving back to the community, dedicating his time to serving on boards and committees. Some of these include his serving on the American Royal Board of Directors and as Chairman; Baker University Board of Trustees Chairman; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City Board of Directors; Civic Council of Kansas City Board of Directors and Executive Committee; Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce as Chairman of the Board; KC Common Good Board of Directors; UMB Bank Board of Directors; and as an MRIGlobal Trustee.
Establishing the Culture
Part 2
Episode: 2
November 2022
16 minutes
about this episode
More than a decade later, JE Dunn was still establishing a sustainable business strategy in Texas. This market provided plenty of opportunity and an abundance of competition, so proving the company’s commitment to being in Texas long term became a primary focus. Greg Lorei, President of JE Dunn South Central (Oklahoma and Texas) talks about how client experience and right culture have been key to building the company’s market position.
Our Guest
Greg Lorei
South Central Region President
Greg joined JE Dunn in 1990 directly after graduating from Iowa State University with a degree in Construction Engineering. He proceeded to advance to Senior Vice President in the Midwest Region where he led the General Construction Division in Kansas City and the Des Moines, IA and Omaha, NE markets. In 2013, Greg was appointed to the position of South Central Regional President and relocated to Dallas, TX.
As Regional President, Greg is responsible for executive leadership and oversight of all operations in the South Central region, which includes offices in Dallas, Austin, Houston, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa. With over 32 years of construction and leadership experience with JE Dunn, Greg has a richly diverse history of projects and assignments.
Building Trust
Part 3
Episode: 3
November 2022
16 minutes
about this episode
To build the mammoth projects, you start with building the small ones, prove your ability to scale up successfully, build trust with your client and partners, achieve success, and repeat. That was the formula that Chris Szeliga brought to the team in 2014 as the Austin Office Lead. Almost a decade later the office has turned around its position in the market to become the number one builder (by billings) in Austin. It was never about becoming the biggest builder, he said, it was about becoming the best one.
Our Guest
Chris Szeliga
National Client Account Manager
Chris Szeliga has transitioned to National Client Account Manager for a hyper-scale data builder. He will lead operations for a top mission critical client that has a current facility in Central Texas.
From 2014-2022, Chris was our Austin Office Leader, transforming JE Dunn’s market growth and reputation. Since his time, the office has become the No.1 construction builder in Austin, ranked in billings, and a top best place to work in 2021 and 2022. He has been with the company for 25 years and began his career with JE Dunn in Kansas City. Szeliga brings great skill in project management, team alignment, and client-focused solutions to lead this endeavor for JE Dunn, building value and trust with the client.
Chris is a graduate of Kansas State University and a U.S. Navy Veteran of the Sea Air Mariner, SeaBee’s, and Engineering Aid. He is a LEED Accredited Professional and serves his community as chair of The Associated General Contractors of America Austin Chapter and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas board of directors.
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