History

CELEBRATING 120 YEARS | 1906-2026

Our Legacy Since 1906

A family-owned construction business spanning 120 years of innovation, resilience, and trusted partnerships. Our customers not only like us, but they TRUST us.

1906

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The Foundation

Leadership:

John Burns, Alderman

John Burns, Alderman in the City of Chicago, establishes underground construction company to deliver power to Chicago.

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John Burns, Alderman in the City of Chicago, had the tremendous opportunity to start an underground construction company to deliver power to the City of Chicago and to Middlewest Utilities (ComEd). His relationship with the CEO of Middlewest Utilities, Samuel Insull, afforded him the opportunity to secure contracts for labor to provide trenches and conduits for the City of Chicago's first generation of Electrical Infrastructure. Crews were made up of large groups of workers without heavy mechanical equipment other than pick axes and shovels.

Key Highlights:

Partnership with Samuel Insull, CEO of Middlewest Utilities (ComEd)

First contracts for Chicago's electrical infrastructure

Manual labor workforce with pick axes and shovels

Foundation of a family-owned legacy

1927-1929

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New Leadership

Leadership:

John F. O'Malley

John F. O'Malley, Mr. Burns' nephew, purchases the highly successful and reputable firm.

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Mr. Burns' nephew, John F. O'Malley, purchased the highly successful and reputable firm and John Burns continued its growth in the electric underground distribution market.

Key Highlights:

Family succession ensures business continuity

Continued growth in electric underground distribution

Building on established reputation and relationships

1929-1948

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Resilience Through Adversity

Leadership:

John F. O'Malley

Navigating through the Great Depression and World War II with essential utility sectors.

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John F. O'Malley leads and navigates John Burns through extremely turbulent times throughout the Great Depression and World War II, focusing on electrical maintenance and providing essential utility company sectors.

Key Highlights:

Leadership through the Great Depression

Essential sectors during World War II

Focus on electrical maintenance

Providing essential utility company sectors

1948-1966

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Post-War Renaissance

Leadership:

John F. O'Malley

Underground utility renaissance brings flourishing growth and prosperity after World War II.

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The company begins to flourish and prosper through an underground utility renaissance that begins shortly after World War II. Illinois Bell, AT&T, ComEd and the City of Chicago are the main customers for John Burns underground expertise.

Key Highlights:

Major contracts with Illinois Bell and AT&T

Partnership with ComEd continues to grow

City of Chicago infrastructure projects

Established as regional underground utility leader

1966-1988

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Expansion & Diversification

Leadership:

John B. O'Malley

John B. O'Malley leads successful growth in several U.S. cities and diversifies sector offerings.

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John B. O'Malley purchases the firm from his father and leads the company to successful growth in several cities in the U.S. and diversifies its scope of sectors to include General Contracting, Site Utilities, Telecom, Cable TV and Electrical Infrastructure.

Key Highlights:

Multi-city expansion across the U.S.

Added General Contracting sectors

Telecom and Cable TV infrastructure

Site Utilities expertise developed

1976

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Texas Market Foundation

Leadership:

John B. O'Malley

John B. O'Malley brings the first crew to start their new relationship with Texas clients.

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John Burns officially starts their first project in Texas with one crew sent down to fulfill the contract.

Key Highlights:

Official Texas Office opens

First Texas contract for Work

1988-1996

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Coast to Coast Growth

Leadership:

John T. O'Malley

Expansion to Chicago, Dallas, and western markets through TCI relationship.

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John T. O'Malley takes over for John B. and leads the Chicago and Dallas markets. He expands west through the relationship with TCI (Comcast) and sets up construction offices for Denver, Boise and Seattle markets.

Key Highlights:

Leadership in Chicago and Dallas markets

Western expansion via TCI (Comcast) partnership

New offices in Denver, Boise, and Seattle

National footprint established

1997-2011

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Strategic Focus on Core Markets

Leadership:

John T. O'Malley & William J. O'Malley

Brothers focus on Illinois and Texas markets, achieving doubled growth in core regions.

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John T. O'Malley and William J. O'Malley purchased the remaining shares of the firm from their father and focused on the growth of the Illinois and Texas markets. In 2000, the newly founded western U.S. offices were acquired by TetraTech, which freed up capital for John Burns to expand market share in its core regions of Chicago and Dallas. Both companies doubled in size under the leadership of the O'Malley brothers and performed work in the following markets: General Contracting, Site utilities, Electrical Infrastructure, Power, and Telecom.

Key Highlights:

Brothers acquire full ownership

Strategic divestiture of western offices to TetraTech (2000)

Doubled company size in core markets

Focus on Illinois and Texas excellence

2011-2023

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Modern Leadership & Growth

Leadership:

William J. O'Malley & Scott Becker

William J. O'Malley and Scott Becker drive continuous growth in existing and emerging markets.

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William J. O'Malley leads John Burns and continues to strive for continuous growth in all existing and emerging markets. Scott Becker promoted to President of IL for his leadership and vision for increasing market share. Several Key John Burns Team members create fantastic growth and business opportunities in the Illinois and Texas markets.

Key Highlights:

William J. O'Malley continues family leadership legacy

Scott Becker promoted to President of Illinois

Strengthened operational performance

Growth in existing and emerging markets

2023 to present

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Strategic Growth & Strengthened Leadership

Leadership:

Bill O'Malley, Scott Becker and David Jones

John Burns enters a new phase of growth

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John Burns enters a new phase of growth through its strategic alliance with Bristol Bay Industrial, enhancing capabilities while preserving its connected, family-driven culture. Scott Becker serves as President and COO of Illinois, while David Jones, as COO of Texas, strengthens leadership in a key growth region.

Key Highlights:

Strategic alliance with Bristol Bay Industrial

Scott Becker named President & COO – Illinois

David Jones serves as COO – Texas

Enhanced capabilities for complex infrastructure projects

2026

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120 Year Anniversary

John Burns celebrates 120 years of delivering critical infrastructure, honoring its legacy while continuing to build the future.

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Key Highlights:

Celebrating 120 years