Roger B. Kennedy Company History

Our history, built on a legacy of a family tradition spanning five generations, has been in continuous operation since 1870. Founded by Irish immigrant Roger Kennedy, who first performed bridge and dock building contracts in coastal Connecticut, experience has passed down from generation to generation. Over the years, an unwavering commitment to delivering fine quality construction while adhering to conservative business practices has served the business well.

Perennially ranked among ENR Southeast’s Top 400 Contractors, the Kennedy organization has continued the successful track-record that Plattsburgh, NY-based Roger P. Kennedy General Contractor Construction initiated in the Florida market in 1972 – a quarter-century after its New York incorporation in 1946.

Today, Roger B. Kennedy Construction is proudly ranked among the area’s largest construction companies as well as Central Florida’s largest family-owned business. Our history is a testament to our enduring legacy, combining tradition, expertise, and unwavering commitment to quality in every project we undertake.

Roger Kennedy, who stands probably alone in his class of self-made men of Middletown, is well deserving of the place in the business world accorded to him.

Commemorative Biographical Records of Middlesex County, Connecticut, 1903

The Kennedy Heritage
152 Years and Counting

1870

Roger Kennedy, 1870-1911

Our History: Founder Roger Kennedy, 1870-1911

The Kennedy organization’s deeply-rooted traditions and values can be traced back to Middletown, Connecticut, where namesake and founder Roger Kennedy first performed bridge and dock building contracts from New Haven to New London beginning in 1870.

1870

Roger Kennedy, 1870-1911

1911

Roger B. Kennedy, 1911-1931

Our History: Son of Founder Roger Kennedy, Roger B. Kennedy, 1911-1931

His son, Roger B. Kennedy, worked in the family business before settling in Utica, NY, where he built highways and roads throughout upstate New York.

1911

Roger B. Kennedy, 1911-1931

1931

Roger P. Kennedy, President 1931-1971

Our History: Roger B. Kennedy’s son, Roger P. Kennedy, President 1931-1971

Roger B. Kennedy’s son, Roger P. Kennedy, joined his father’s road business before relocating to Plattsburgh, NY, in 1931, where he later founded Roger P. Kennedy General Contractor, Inc. in 1946. In the following decades, the company became a major force in the public and private sectors, building Plattsburgh Air Force Base as well as major facilities for General Motors Corp. and Dow Jones & Company, among others.

1931

Roger P. Kennedy, President 1931-1971

1971

Roger B. Kennedy, Sr., P.E., President 1971-1999

Our History: Roger P. Kennedy’s son, Roger B. Kennedy, Sr., P.E., 1971-1999

Roger P. Kennedy’s son, Roger B. Kennedy, Sr., P.E., earned an engineering degree from Norwich University before joining the company in 1961 and is credited with modernizing the business into one of the nation’s leading general contractors and construction managers. The company constructed such outstanding projects as the Athlete’s Housing for the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, NY, among others.

1971

Roger B. Kennedy, Sr., P.E., President 1971-1999

1999

Roger B. Kennedy, Jr., President 1999-Present

Our History: Roger B. Kennedy, Jr., President of Roger B. Kennedy Construction since 1999

Roger B. Kennedy, Jr., President of Roger B. Kennedy Construction since 1999, graduated from Colgate University with a degree in Economics. He worked for five years for Boston Development Associates before relocating to work at Kennedy’s Orlando area office. Under his leadership as president, the company is consistently ranked as one of Central Florida’s Largest General Contractors and one of Florida’s Golden 100 – the Top Privately Held Firms according to the Orlando Business Journal, and recognized as one of the ENR Southeast Top Contractors.

1999

Roger B. Kennedy, Jr., President 1999-Present


Awards & Recognition

  • Florida General Construction Management
  • Florida General Construction Management
  • Florida General Construction Management
  • Florida General Construction Management
  • Florida General Construction Management
  • Florida General Construction Management
  • Florida General Construction Management
  • Florida General Construction Management
  • Florida General Construction Management
  • Florida General Construction Management

Testimonials