In 1999, the average cost of a gallon of milk in the United States was around $2.84, while gasoline was priced at approximately $1.17 per gallon. That year, Tiger Woods claimed his first PGA Championship, and Napster revolutionized the music industry with its file-sharing service. The New York Yankees won the World Series once again. Amid these events, Pat McCown and Brett Gordon embarked on an adventure that would ultimately transform the landscape of cities and positively impact thousands of lives.
Over the years, Pat and Brett built a strong relationship while working together at a few different construction companies. This relationship eventually inspired them to start their own company, aiming to deliver construction services in an innovative, new way.
Sitting at Pat’s kitchen table with a yellow legal pad, they sketched out their business philosophy and vision. Among the key principles they outlined were “honesty and integrity,” “planned growth,” and “entrust and reward employees.” However, the driving force behind all their goals was a singular focus on “customer satisfaction."
Given the often confrontational nature of the construction industry, where clashes between design firms and contractors are common, Pat and Brett wanted to take a different approach with their new company. Clashes between design firms and contractors would be commonplace. Their vision centered on an improving the experience of all the parties throughout each project, ultimately ensuring everyone involved is successful. They figured that if everyone was successful, each enterprise would run more smoothly and be delivered at a better cost and timeframe, enhancing the experience for all.
In addition to defining their business philosophy and vision, they established their core values: integrity, performance, and relationships. Integrity builds trust and accountability, ensuring honesty in every action. Performance drives excellence, motivating individuals and teams to deliver results with dedication. Strong relationships, rooted in mutual respect and collaboration, create lasting connections that foster growth and collective success.
McCownGordon Construction was founded in 1999 in Kansas City, Missouri, starting with a small but dedicated team. Early on, they recognized and recruited top talent, including Ramin Cherafat, who would later play a key role in the company’s leadership. Not long after its inception, Chris Stanton joined the estimating department, helping to strengthen the company’s project management capabilities. Nichole Waring became McCownGordon’s first intern. Over time, several other key team members became integral to the company's growth. After a decade of steady expansion, McCownGordon broadened its services across the region, delivering exceptional work and earning a reputation for satisfied customers throughout the Midwest.
McCownGordon’s first project in Manhattan was the construction of the Flint Hills Discovery Center. Sourcing local resources was a key priority, with over 85% of the building materials and labor coming from within 50 miles of the city. The project took approximately a year and a half to complete, and the ribbon-cutting ceremony took place in April 2012. As the museum neared completion, McCownGordon secured the contract for the K-State College of Engineering expansion and renovation. With support from partners and the city of Manhattan, this pivotal project gave McCownGordon the confidence to expand their reach. In 2014, they capitalized on this momentum by opening their first regional office in Manhattan.
Over the past decade, McCownGordon has served as the general contractor for numerous projects across the Little Apple. They led the expansion and renovation of Manhattan High School, built recreational centers at Anthony and Eisenhower Middle Schools, and constructed the Aggieville parking garage along with the parkscape on North Moro. On Kansas State University’s campus, they completed significant projects like the Morris Family Multicultural Student Center and the loge boxes at Bramlage Coliseum. McCownGordon has truly integrated into the community, becoming as familiar as any local company.
Five years ago, the company further expanded its reach by opening a regional office in Wichita. Having already collaborated with several local clients and architects, the company was encouraged by its partners to establish a presence in the Air Capital. Although Wichita wasn't initially part of their plan, a market study and community interviews revealed that McCownGordon’s methods and approach would be a strong fit for the area. Five years and 80 employees later, it’s clear the decision was a successful and strategic move.
After successfully launching two regional offices, McCownGordon shifted its focus to an even larger market. A market study of the top 50 construction markets in the country narrowed the options to five regions where their services would best align with local clientele and industry demand. The Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex consistently stood out as the top choice. In 2021, they opened their third regional office in Plano, Texas.
Beyond opening offices and celebrating anniversaries, one of the most significant milestones in the company’s history occurred in 2015. That year, Pat and Brett sold the company to the employees, transforming McCownGordon into an employee-owned company through the establishment of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). This structure gives employees ownership stakes, aligning their interests with the company’s success. The ESOP fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, and dedication, while offering long-term financial benefits tied to the company’s growth.
As McCownGordon celebrates its 25th anniversary, marking a quarter-century of excellence in the construction industry, its core values have remained steadfast. From its humble beginnings, the company has grown into an industry leader, driven by integrity, performance, and strong relationships. This milestone highlights their ongoing commitment to innovation, quality, and community involvement. With nearly 1,400 successfully managed projects and close to 600 employees across four offices in three states, the company is now setting its sights on becoming a billion-dollar-a-year business by 2025.
Ramin Cherafat serves as the CEO, while Chris Stanton, the company's longest-tenured employee, holds the role of Senior Vice President of Preconstruction. Nichole Warning, who began as an intern, is now a 20-year veteran and Senior Project Manager. Remarkably, many of the key employees who were part of the company’s early days are still with them today.
As for Pat McCown and Brett Gordon? It’s clear they never set out to simply build buildings—they set out to build people. In the construction world, few have achieved more than these two pioneers.
"Seeing people flourish in their careers and advance forward is the best thing about McCownGordon" - Todd Knight, SVP, Regional Leader, Kansas
"The people are just amazing. We exude our core values and build rock solid relationships with individuals that we get to work with and improve ourselves in our performance." - Brian Fuemmeler, Manhattan Market Leader