Our History

In the late 19th century, William Henry Kingery embarked on a long journey from southeast Iowa to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1884. He sought employment at various planning mills in the city and quickly gained experience and knowledge in the construction industry.

In the early 1900s, William partnered with a business associate to establish the Enterprise Planning Mill. As years went by, William bought out his partner’s share of the business, and his son, Everett Kingery, joined the company. Under the name Enterprise, they provided millwork services across the state of Nebraska.

Tragedy struck on April 7, 1924, when a fire engulfed the mill. Undeterred, William and Everett decided to rebuild and start a construction company. Thus, in 1924, the father-son duo founded Kingery Construction Co. Armed with just a few shovels, a wheelbarrow, and a flatbed truck, they began their new venture. During the 1920s, the company focused on constructing public schools and university projects, establishing strong relationships that would pave the way for numerous educational endeavors in the following century.

Kingery Construction Co. flourished and expanded, securing numerous projects under the Public Works Administration in the 1930s. In January 1946, Orville Kingery, Everett’s son, returned from the Navy and took on the role of estimating and bidding. That same year, Harvey Hales, Orville’s brother-in-law and an Air Force veteran, also joined the family business. Harvey started in the field and eventually earned a promotion to superintendent.

In the early 1950s, Orville’s younger brother, Wayne Kingery, joined him in managing the company. Wayne had recently graduated from the University of Nebraska and served in the Army during World War II. Throughout the 1960s, Kingery Construction Co. diversified its portfolio by undertaking church, hospital, commercial, and private design-build projects. Orville and Wayne instilled a business philosophy of hard work, integrity, and character in all employees.

Today, Kingery Construction is led by President Rod Berens, formerly the Controller and Vice-President Rick Wintermute, formerly a Project Manager/Project Executive. As one of the top commercial contractors in Lincoln, Nebraska, our company specializes in educational, religious, financial, healthcare, and office building projects. We offer services in Construction Management at Risk, Construction Management as Agent, Design/Build, and Design/Bid/Build. The team at Kingery Construction Co. is dedicated to delivering exceptional vision and commitment to both the company and our clients. We strive to ensure that every project is successful and enjoyable for all parties involved.

Over the past 99 years, Kingery Construction Co. has prioritized providing quality service and assembling an exceptional team for every project. We understand the importance of meeting client expectations for excellent work and responsiveness. We have cultivated strong relationships with esteemed architects and owners in eastern Nebraska and the Lincoln area. Our portfolio includes projects of various sizes, complexities, and significance. We are excited to have been, and continue to be, involved in projects that define our communities ranging from State Capitol Restorations to newer campus additions such as Northeast Community College Residence Hall and Cafeteria/Student Life Building in Norfolk Nebraska. Other area projects include Seward Middle School in Seward Nebraska, St. Patrick Catholic Church and The Nebraska Department of Corrections’ 160 Bed Female Living Unit and Facility Expansion, both in Lincoln Nebraska. Our values are reflected in the buildings we construct.