William H. Dunn is Chairman Emeritus of the construction firm
founded in Kansas City by his father, the late J. E. Dunn, in
1924. Now a national construction organization with seventeen
offices coast-to-coast, JE Dunn Construction is ranked among
the top 10 general commercial builders in the country.
After serving as a naval aviator in World War II, William
graduated from Rockhurst College with a bachelor's degree in
mathematics and physics. Upon graduation, he joined the
company “to learn the business side of the construction
business” at his father’s request. He has been with JE Dunn
Construction Company ever since, celebrating his 60th
employment anniversary in 2006.
Affiliations and accolades include:
Past Vice Chairman: Midwest Research Institute
Past Co-Chairman: Kansas
City Area Development Council, Children’s Center Capital
Campaign, Hope House
Past Chairman: Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Downtown
Council, Heart of America United Way, Hawthorne Foundation,
Greater Kansas City Association of General Contractors,
Builders’ Association, Rockhurst University Board of Regents,
Bishop Miege High School Foundation, Don Bosco Foundation,
Junior League Community Ball, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Awards: Named Mr. Kansas City in 1982 by the Kansas City
Chamber of Commerce, 1990 Citizen of the Year by Kansas City
UNICO Chapter, 1993 CEO Advocate of the Year Award by Kansas
City Minority Supplier Development Council, 1995 Johnson
Countian of the Year by Johnson County Community College, 1997
Civic Service Award by Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, 1999 Torch
Bearer Award by VICA/Skills America, 1999 Distinguished
Citizen by Boy Scouts of America, 1997 Spirit of Caring Award
by Heart of America United Way, 1994 Centurions Leadership
Award by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.
Honorary Doctorates: Avila
University, William Jewell College, Benedictine College, and
University of Saint Mary.
