Garney Construction: The Complete Guide to Water & Wastewater Infrastructure Contractor
Company Overview: Who Is Garney Construction?
Garney Construction is the national leader in water and wastewater infrastructure construction in the United States. Headquartered in North Kansas City, Missouri, the company has spent more than six decades building the pipes, treatment plants, pump stations, and water storage systems that deliver clean drinking water to millions of Americans and protect public health through effective wastewater management.
Unlike general contractors who dabble in water projects, Garney’s entire identity is water infrastructure. Every project, every dollar of revenue, every one of its 2,700-plus employee-owners is focused exclusively on building water and wastewater systems for municipal, federal, industrial, and private clients across the country. This single-minded specialization is why Garney has earned the top spot in multiple Engineering News-Record (ENR) rankings year after year, and why municipal engineers, federal procurement officers, and private developers trust the company with some of the most complex and high-stakes water projects in the nation.
Quick Facts at a Glance:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1961 |
| Headquarters | 1700 Swift Street, North Kansas City, Missouri 64116 |
| CEO | David Burkhart |
| Ownership | 100% Employee-Owned (ESOP) |
| Annual Revenue | Exceeds $2 billion |
| Employee-Owners | 2,700+ nationwide |
| Office Locations | 19 offices across the United States |
| Specialty | Water & wastewater construction for public, private, industrial, and federal clients |
| EMR Safety Rating | 0.53 (industry average: 1.0) |
| ENR Top 400 Rank | #64 overall; #1 Water Transmission Lines; #1 Water Supply |
| NAICS Code | 237110 (Water and Sewer Line Construction) |
| SIC Code | 494 (Water Transportation) / 49 |
Founding Story & Corporate History
The Garney Construction story begins in 1961, when Charles Garney left his father’s Kansas City plumbing business to start his own pipeline and utility construction company. What began as a small local operation quickly evolved into something far more significant. Over the next two decades, Garney expanded into related construction activities and broader regions of the country, building a reputation for integrity, craftsmanship, and reliability on water and wastewater projects of every scale.
From the outset of his leadership, Charles Garney championed the idea that success should be shared with those who helped build it. He began profit-sharing initiatives in the 1970s and laid the groundwork for the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in 1986, when he sold approximately 30% of Garney Holding Company stock to employees — the first step in a decade-long transition toward full employee ownership. By 1995, Charles Garney completed the process by selling his remaining shares to the company, making Garney 100% employee-owned, a distinction it proudly holds to this day.
This commitment to employee ownership wasn’t just a financial arrangement; it fundamentally shaped the culture of the company. Garney became a place where field crews, project managers, and executives alike had a direct financial stake in every project’s success — driving a culture of accountability, quality, and pride in the work that has set Garney apart from every conventional construction company in the industry.
Corporate Milestones:
- 1961: Garney Construction founded in Kansas City by Charles Garney
- 1970s: Profit-sharing initiatives introduced for employees
- 1986: ESOP established; employees acquire ~30% of company stock
- 1995: Garney becomes 100% employee-owned
- 2001: Acquires Grimm Construction (Colorado) — expands water treatment, pumping, and storage in the West
- 2012: Acquires Encore Construction Group (Florida) — solidifies treatment plant operations in the Southeast
- 2015: Garney Pacific formed; Federal operations division established
- 2018: Acquires Warren Environmental and A&W Coatings (Massachusetts) — adds epoxy coatings and water infrastructure rehabilitation capabilities
- 2023: New executive leadership team installed: CEO David Burkhart, Presidents Matt Foster and Matt Reaves
- January 2026: Acquires Emery & Sons Construction Group (Oregon) — establishes permanent Pacific Northwest presence
Ownership Structure: 100% Employee-Owned ESOP
One of Garney Construction’s most distinctive attributes — and one of the most powerful differentiators in the water infrastructure industry — is its 100% employee ownership structure. Garney is not publicly traded on the stock market. It is not owned by a private equity firm. It is not controlled by a foreign corporation. Every single share of Garney Holding Company is owned by the people who work there.
This is achieved through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), a federally recognized retirement benefit that gives employees ownership interest in the company they work for. At Garney, all employee-owners participate in the ESOP, earning shares through what the company calls “sweat equity” — the hard work and dedication they bring to every project. The ESOP has been a game-changing financial benefit for Garney’s workforce, providing a retirement vehicle directly tied to the company’s long-term success and growth.
The culture that flows from ESOP ownership is tangible and measurable. Because every employee-owner has a financial stake in outcomes, Garney consistently delivers projects on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. There is no separation between management incentives and worker motivations — everyone wins when the project wins. This alignment of interests is one reason clients repeatedly return to Garney and why Garney’s safety record, quality metrics, and client satisfaction scores consistently lead the industry.
For subcontractors, vendors, and clients, partnering with an ESOP company like Garney offers unique advantages: greater financial stability, lower turnover among key project staff, stronger organizational culture, and a contractor whose people are personally invested in the success of every job.
Annual Revenue & Revenue Growth Trends
Garney Construction has grown from a small Kansas City pipeline contractor into a national industry leader with annual revenues exceeding $2 billion. This financial trajectory reflects decades of disciplined organic growth, strategic acquisitions, expansion into new markets, and a deepening national presence across the water infrastructure sector.
Revenue Milestones:
- 2017: Annual revenue of approximately $842 million
- 2019–2022: Consistent growth trajectory as the national water infrastructure funding environment expanded
- 2024–2025: Revenue surpasses $2 billion annually — a more than 2x increase from 2017 levels
This revenue growth has been driven by multiple converging forces: the national backlog of aging water infrastructure that requires replacement, expanded federal funding through programs like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), growing municipal demand for water supply expansion in fast-growing sunbelt cities, and Garney’s own successful expansion through acquisitions and new regional offices.
Garney’s revenue profile is also notably stable because the vast majority of its work is tied to essential public infrastructure — municipal water and wastewater systems — which are funded through rate revenues and government appropriations that are far less cyclical than commercial or residential construction. This defensiveness in revenue makes Garney a financially resilient organization capable of sustaining operations and honoring bonding and contract commitments even during economic downturns.
The 2026 acquisition of Emery & Sons Construction Group in Oregon adds another layer of revenue diversification, expanding Garney’s capabilities in underground utilities, heavy civil construction, and municipal infrastructure across the Pacific Northwest — a region with significant water infrastructure investment planned over the coming decade.
NAICS & SIC Codes
For procurement officers, subcontractors, vendors, and database researchers seeking to identify or classify Garney Construction, the following industry classification codes apply:
NAICS Codes:
- 237110 — Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction (Primary)
- 237 — Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
- 23711 — Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction
SIC Codes:
- 494 — Water Transportation
- 49 — Transportation and Public Utilities
These codes are used in federal procurement databases, contractor prequalification systems, and industry research tools to locate and classify Garney among water and sewer construction contractors. Subcontractors and vendors searching for Garney in systems like SAM.gov, Dodge Data, or The Blue Book should use NAICS 237110 as the primary search classification.
Services: What Garney Construction Builds
Garney Construction’s service portfolio is comprehensive within the water and wastewater infrastructure space. Unlike multi-sector general contractors, every service Garney offers is water-related. This specialization has made the company the deepest, most experienced water infrastructure contractor in the country. Here is a detailed breakdown of every service category Garney offers:
Pipe (Water Transmission & Distribution)
Garney is the largest contractor for conveyance projects in the country. Since 1961, the company has specialized in pipeline installations across the United States, installing pipelines up to 156 inches in diameter in all types of soil conditions. Garney crews have installed millions of miles of water, sewer, and storm system pipes using numerous pipe materials, including concrete, steel, ductile iron, fiberglass, PVC, and HDPE.
This capability spans water transmission lines (bulk water movement), distribution systems (neighborhood delivery networks), sanitary sewer mains, and stormwater conveyance systems. Garney’s pipe division holds the #1 ENR ranking in both Water Transmission Lines and Water Supply — a recognition earned through decades of completing some of the largest and most technically complex pipeline projects in the nation.
Plant (Water & Wastewater Treatment Facilities)
Garney is one of the nation’s leading water supply and wastewater treatment plant contractors. Garney crews have self-performed treatment plant construction on virtually every type of water or wastewater process and technology used in the country. From new construction to renovation and expansion, the company understands the intricacies of bringing new systems online and working around existing operational facilities — a critical skill when municipalities need upgrades without interrupting service to customers.
Treatment technologies Garney has worked with include membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems, conventional activated sludge, advanced water treatment (AWT), tertiary filtration, UV disinfection, chlorination/dechlorination, desalination, and more.
Pump Stations
Pump stations have been a core Garney specialty for over 30 years. The company has built greenfield pump station construction as well as minor and major upgrades of pump stations, intake structures, lift stations, discharging systems, and high-service booster stations. This includes both influent and effluent pump stations serving municipal, industrial, and federal clients.
Tank (Water Storage)
Water storage tanks have been part of Garney’s specialty portfolio since the mid-1990s. The company’s experience includes circular and rectangular concrete tanks, and Garney crews are familiar with all types of pre-stressed and post-tensioned concrete tanks, including AWWA D115, AWWA D110 Types I, II, & III, conventional reinforcement, and steel construction. Garney has constructed circular potable tanks with up to 20 million gallons of capacity and rectangular concrete basins up to 120 million gallons in volume — among the largest water storage structures in the country.
Marine (Waterfront & Aqueous Environment)
Garney’s experience building waterworks infrastructure in aqueous environments spans decades. The company knows what it takes to work successfully on top of and under rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Projects include raw water intakes of various configurations, river crossings, inverted siphons, and outfall diffuser systems — built for both municipal and industrial clients using design-build and conventional contracting delivery methods. Garney owns and operates a fleet of construction vessels, including boats, sectional barges, long-reach excavators, and cranes, enabling it to self-perform all elements of marine waterworks infrastructure.
Heavy Civil Construction
Garney’s heavy civil experience extends to any project involved in the water cycle, including concrete work associated with storm drainage structures, culverts, channels, junction boxes, inlets/outlets, vaults, foundations, tunnels, dams, reservoirs, intakes, outfalls, and spillways. Crews also have experience building industrial foundations, fuel containment systems, and railroad turntables.
Site Work
Garney offers complete turnkey site solutions encompassing clearing and grubbing, site excavation, storm drainage installation, water installation, sanitary sewers, and any heavy civil and environmental work in the site development market. This capability allows Garney to serve as a single-source contractor for projects requiring comprehensive site preparation in addition to water infrastructure construction.
Epoxy Coatings & Water Infrastructure Rehabilitation
Following the 2018 acquisition of Warren Environmental and A&W Coatings, Garney added epoxy coatings and protective lining solutions to its service offering. This capability allows clients to protect and rehabilitate existing water and wastewater infrastructure assets — extending the service life of tanks, pipes, and other structures without full replacement.
Construction Methods Used
Garney is distinguished by being a self-performing contractor — meaning its own crews build the work, rather than subcontracting major scopes to other companies. This approach is central to the company’s competitive advantage, quality control capability, and safety record. When you work with Garney, you get the resources of 2,500+ workers and the company’s own substantial fleet of specialized equipment.
Key construction methods employed by Garney include:
Open-cut pipeline installation across varied soil conditions including rock, clay, sand, and groundwater-saturated zones. Garney crews are experienced in all soil stabilization, dewatering, and trench safety systems required for deep pipeline installation.
Trenchless pipeline construction, including horizontal directional drilling (HDD), pipe jacking, microtunneling, and tunneling, allowing pipelines to cross roads, railways, waterways, and sensitive environmental areas with minimal surface disruption.
Marine construction using proprietary barge-mounted equipment and long-reach excavators for underwater pipeline crossings, raw water intake construction, and outfall diffuser installation.
Large-diameter pipeline installation up to 156 inches in diameter — among the largest pipe diameters installed by any contractor in the country.
Concrete construction for tanks, treatment basins, pump station wet wells, and structural components using conventional reinforcement, pre-stress, and post-tension systems per AWWA standards.
Epoxy coating and lining application for corrosion protection and rehabilitation of existing water and wastewater infrastructure.
Greenfield and brownfield treatment plant construction, including working around live systems during construction — a technically demanding method requiring meticulous sequencing and safety management.
Design-Build vs. Design-Bid-Build vs. CMAR Capabilities
Garney Construction is a recognized national leader in collaborative project delivery — the modern umbrella of contracting approaches that include Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), Fixed-Price Design-Build, Progressive Design-Build, and Public-Private Partnership (P3). Remarkably, collaborative delivery now accounts for approximately 90% of Garney’s current work, and the company has led more than 100 clients through their first collaborative delivery project.
Traditional Design-Bid-Build
In traditional design-bid-build (DBB), the project owner hires an engineer to complete 100% of design, then bids the construction work to contractors. Garney is fully capable of executing traditional DBB contracts and has done so throughout its 60+ year history. However, the company has increasingly moved away from this model toward collaborative approaches that deliver better value to clients.
Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR)
In CMAR delivery, the project owner retains an engineering firm and a CMAR contractor under two separate contracts — one for design and one for construction. The CMAR is engaged early in the design development stage to optimize technical excellence, constructibility, value management, and risk management for all parties. This method allows owners to maintain direct control over project definition and design while capturing the benefits of contractor involvement earlier in the process. Garney is one of the most experienced CMAR water contractors in the United States, with landmark CMAR projects including the Bois d’Arc Lake Water Treatment Plant in Texas.
Fixed-Price Design-Build
In fixed-price design-build, the owner executes a single contract with one team (designer + contractor) that is responsible for both design and construction. The owner provides requirements and performance needs; the design-build team provides a conceptual design along with a fixed price to complete the project. Any changes are addressed collaboratively, minimizing disputes. Garney’s fixed-price design-build capabilities were showcased most prominently in the Vista Ridge Water Supply Project — a 142-mile pipeline project in Texas that was named the North America Water Deal of the Year.
Progressive Design-Build
Progressive design-build is a two-phase delivery method where design, cost-estimating, construction schedule, and final Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) are developed collaboratively during Phase 1. If the owner and design-builder agree on the GMP, the final design, construction, and commissioning proceed in Phase 2. This method provides owners with maximum flexibility and transparency while still capturing the speed and innovation benefits of design-build.
Public-Private Partnership (P3)
P3 is a contractual agreement between a public agency and a private entity that allows for greater private-sector participation in the delivery of infrastructure projects — including financing, design, construction, and operation. Garney has been one of the most active P3 contractors in the water sector in North America. The Vista Ridge Water Supply Project, valued at $927 million, was the largest privately financed water project to close in North America at the time of its completion and validated Garney’s ability to lead complex, internationally recognized P3 transactions.
Benefits of Collaborative Delivery (vs. Traditional DBB): Compared to traditional design-bid-build, Garney’s collaborative delivery methods offer clients accelerated project schedules, best-value decisions, managed risk for owners, improved quality, design innovation, and greater cost certainty — benefits that translate directly into better outcomes for the municipalities and utilities that depend on Garney to build their water infrastructure.
Notable Completed Projects & Project Size Range
Garney Construction’s project portfolio spans from relatively small utility upgrades to billion-dollar nationally recognized infrastructure programs. Below are some of the company’s most notable completed and active projects, illustrating both the breadth and scale of Garney’s capabilities.
Vista Ridge Water Supply Project — San Antonio, TX
Value: $927 million | Type: P3 / Fixed-Price Design-Build Garney’s single most celebrated project, the Vista Ridge pipeline was the largest privately financed water project to close in North America at the time. Designed and constructed for the Central Texas Regional Water Supply Corporation, the project included a 142-mile water transmission pipeline, a well field in Burleson County drawing from the Carrizo and Simsboro Aquifers, pump stations, and a treatment facility — delivering 50,000 acre-feet of water annually to San Antonio. The project expanded San Antonio’s water supply by 20% and was awarded North America Water Deal of the Year by three separate international organizations: IJGlobal, Project Finance International, and Global Water Intelligence.
Bois d'Arc Lake Water Infrastructure — Fannin County, TX
Type: CMAR | Key Stats: 47 miles of pipe; 90 MGD pump station; 70 MGD water treatment plant Serving as CMAR on two major packages, Garney constructed a raw water pump station capable of moving up to 90 million gallons per day from the new reservoir, a water treatment plant capable of treating 70 MGD, a high-service pump station, and 47 miles of large-diameter pipeline — including a 90-inch raw water main and an 84-inch treated water pipeline. The project was designed to meet North Texas’s growing population through 2040. Awards: Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award (OCEA) 2024, ASCE Texas Section National Honor Award 2024, and ACEC Project Achievement Award 2024.
Bee Ridge Water Reclamation Facility — Sarasota County, FL
Type: Design-Build | Distinction: Largest MBR installation in Florida Garney partnered with Carollo Engineers on this landmark project — Sarasota County’s largest capital improvement project to date and the largest membrane bioreactor installation in Florida. Crews maintained operations of the existing plant throughout construction and repurposed existing infrastructure wherever possible. A citizen stakeholder group shaped key design choices. In 2024, the project earned a Gold Envision Award from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure — one of the most prestigious sustainability recognitions in the civil engineering field.
Lake Ralph Hall Pipeline — Fannin/Denton/Collin Counties, TX
Key Stats: 32-mile pipeline; up to 54 MGD water delivery Garney constructed the pipeline connecting Texas’ newest lake — Lake Ralph Hall — to an existing transmission system, enabling delivery of up to 54 million gallons of water per day to communities in Denton and Collin Counties, the City of Ladonia, and portions of Fannin County.
Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project — California
Value: $92 million partial scope | Type: Desalination pipeline California American Water selected Garney Pacific to construct 22 miles of pipelines, pump stations, and storage facilities along the Monterey Peninsula to deliver desalinated water to 100,000 residential and commercial customers.
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center WWTP — Twentynine Palms, CA
Type: Federal Design-Build Garney is constructing a new 2 MGD tertiary wastewater treatment plant at the world’s largest Marine Corps training base, replacing an outdated secondary treatment system built in 1952. The new plant serves 21,000 customers and supports an additional 7,000 service members during training exercises.
Project Size Range: Garney operates across a wide spectrum of project sizes, from multi-million-dollar pump station upgrades and pipeline rehabilitation contracts to $100M–$1B+ major infrastructure programs. The company’s CMAR and design-build experience makes it particularly competitive on projects in the $50M–$500M range, while its P3 capabilities allow it to take on programs exceeding $1 billion in total project value.
States & Regions Actively Operating In
Garney Construction operates in approximately 30 states across the United States, with concentrations in regions experiencing significant water infrastructure investment and population growth. Key states and regions of active operations include:
South-Central / Texas: One of Garney’s most active markets, driven by Texas’s explosive population growth and resulting demand for new water supply, transmission, and treatment infrastructure. Major projects have been delivered for the San Antonio Water System (SAWS), Upper Trinity Regional Water District, North Texas Municipal Water District, and numerous municipal utilities across the state.
Southeast (Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Carolinas): Garney’s Southeast operations, anchored by offices in Winter Garden/Winter Park, Florida, and Alpharetta, Georgia, serve one of the fastest-growing regions in the country. The acquisition of Encore Construction in 2012 solidified Garney’s treatment plant capabilities in this region.
Midwest (Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana): Garney’s home region, centered on its North Kansas City headquarters, where the company has deep relationships with municipal utilities across the central United States.
Mountain West (Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah): Garney’s Colorado operations (stemming from the 2001 Grimm Construction acquisition) serve the water-constrained Mountain West, where water infrastructure investment is driven by both growth and long-term drought conditions. The Arizona office (Mesa, AZ) holds contractor license #ROC 074957 and serves Arizona and New Mexico.
West Coast (California, Pacific Northwest): Garney Pacific, established in 2015, serves Northern California and other western states. The January 2026 acquisition of Emery & Sons Construction Group in Salem, Oregon, establishes a permanent Pacific Northwest presence — a strategic move that positions Garney to capture major water and utility infrastructure investment across Oregon, Washington, and neighboring states.
Mid-Atlantic & Northeast: Garney serves federal and municipal clients across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast through its regional operations and federal division.
Federal Markets (Nationwide): Garney Federal, established in 2015, pursues water and wastewater construction contracts with federal agencies across all 50 states, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense, and other federal clients.
Office Locations Beyond Headquarters
Garney’s national footprint consists of 19 offices spanning the United States. In addition to its corporate headquarters at 1700 Swift Street, North Kansas City, Missouri, confirmed regional office locations include:
- Winter Park / Winter Garden, Florida — Southeast regional operations hub; address: 500 N. Orlando Ave., Suite 1000, Winter Park, FL 32789
- Alpharetta, Georgia — Eastern regional strategic and risk management operations
- Mesa, Arizona — Southwest operations hub; address: 840 E. McKellips Road, Unit 110, Mesa, AZ 85203
- Colorado — Mountain West operations (Grimm Construction legacy)
- Salem, Oregon — Pacific Northwest operations hub (Emery & Sons, acquired 2026)
- Federal Operations — National federal contracting division operating from multiple locations
- Additional regional offices across Texas, the Carolinas, Tennessee, the Midwest, and California to support active project work
For the most current listing of all office locations and regional contact information, prospective clients and subcontractors should visit garney.com/contact or call the corporate headquarters at 816-741-4600.
ENR Rankings & Industry Recognition
Engineering News-Record (ENR) is the definitive ranking publication for the U.S. construction industry, and Garney Construction’s position in these rankings is one of the most compelling demonstrations of its market leadership available. Garney’s current ENR rankings include:
| ENR Category | Garney’s Rank |
|---|---|
| Water Transmission Lines | #1 |
| Water Supply | #1 |
| Sanitary & Storm Sewers | #1 |
| Sewer & Waste | #2 |
| Wastewater Treatment Plants | #4 |
| Water Treatment & Desalination Plants | #4 |
| Top 30 All-Environmental Firms | #5 |
| Top 400 Contractors (Overall) | #64 |
These rankings are not self-reported — they are independently calculated by ENR based on verified construction revenue in each category. Holding the #1 position in three separate water and sewer categories simultaneously is a distinction that no other U.S. contractor can claim, and it represents the concentrated power of Garney’s six-decade focus on water infrastructure.
Beyond ENR, Garney has received numerous other industry recognitions, including:
- 2025 MARCOM Awards — Gold in the Video/Audio in Film category
- 2024 Gold Envision Award from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (Bee Ridge project)
- 2024 ASCE Texas Section National Honor Award and Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award (Bois d’Arc Lake project)
- 2024 ACEC Texas Project Achievement Award (Bois d’Arc Lake project)
- North America Water Deal of the Year — IJGlobal (Vista Ridge, 2017)
- North America Water Deal of the Year — Project Finance International (Vista Ridge, 2017)
- Water Deal of the Year — Global Water Intelligence, Madrid (Vista Ridge, 2017)
- Kansas City Business Journal Hall of Champions — inducted as a three-time award recipient
- ENR Top 400 #57 — featured in the 2023 list
Safety Ratings & Experience Modification Rate (EMR)
Safety is not merely a compliance requirement at Garney Construction — it is an organizational value embedded in every level of the company. This commitment is reflected in one of the most important metrics in construction safety: the Experience Modification Rate (EMR).
Garney's Current EMR: 0.53
The EMR measures the frequency and seriousness of a company’s workplace accidents and injuries relative to industry peers. The industry average is 1.0, which is considered reasonable for typical construction operations. An EMR significantly below 1.0 demonstrates an above-average safety culture, lower insurance costs, and better eligibility for major project bids that impose EMR thresholds.
With an EMR of 0.53, Garney operates at nearly half the industry average risk rate — a remarkable achievement in the utility construction industry, where workers routinely engage in high-hazard activities including deep excavation, confined-space entry, heavy equipment operation, and work in and around live water systems.
This safety performance is the direct result of Garney’s proprietary Safe Start to Ownership Program (SSTOP), launched in 2018. SSTOP was designed specifically to address the high-hazard nature of construction work by ensuring that every new employee-owner develops a strong foundation in safety culture from Day 1 on the job. The program integrates safety training with the company’s ESOP philosophy — reinforcing the message that protecting yourself and your coworkers is also protecting the company you own.
Garney’s safety program benefits are practical and financial: an EMR of 0.53 translates into significantly lower workers’ compensation insurance premiums and gives Garney a strong competitive advantage in prequalification for government contracts, many of which impose maximum EMR thresholds for bid eligibility. Many federal and municipal projects require an EMR below 1.0; Garney’s 0.53 rating provides a substantial margin of comfort in any prequalification review.
Client testimonials speak to Garney’s safety culture. As noted by the Assistant Director and Chief Engineer of Metro Water Services in Nashville, Tennessee: “From senior management to field craft, Metro has never had any issues with Garney related to safety. Metro often uses Garney as a resource in design and planning around safety from traffic control to shoring of excavations.”
Software & Technology Systems
Garney Construction employs a suite of technology systems that support project management, business development, financial operations, and organizational effectiveness. Confirmed technology tools in use include:
- SAP ERP (Systems, Applications & Products in Enterprise Resource Planning) — enterprise resource planning for financial management, procurement, and project cost control
- SAP Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (SAP MRO) — for equipment fleet management and maintenance tracking, critical given Garney’s large inventory of owned construction equipment
- Cosential — CRM and proposal management software widely used by construction and engineering firms for business development and client relationship tracking
- Unanet — project tracking and management software used for project cost reporting and performance monitoring
- Adobe InDesign — professional design and publishing software for proposal production, marketing materials, and project documentation
- Yoast SEO — digital marketing and website optimization for garney.com
- Microsoft Excel — standard financial modeling, estimating, and project controls
- LinkedIn — professional networking and talent acquisition
Garney’s technology stack reflects the needs of a self-performing, multi-region contractor managing complex, multi-year infrastructure programs: robust ERP for financial oversight, CRM for client relationships, project management for cost and schedule control, and fleet management for its substantial owned equipment inventory.
Sustainability, ESG & Environmental Certifications
Garney Construction’s entire reason for existence is inherently sustainability-oriented: the company builds water infrastructure that provides clean, safe drinking water to communities and protects public health and the environment through effective wastewater management. This core mission aligns Garney with the most pressing environmental challenge of the 21st century — sustainable water resource management.
Envision Framework: Garney has delivered projects recognized under the Envision sustainable infrastructure rating system developed by the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure. The Bee Ridge Water Reclamation Facility in Sarasota County earned a Gold Envision Award in 2024 — recognition that reflects outstanding performance across human wellbeing, community resilience, environmental stewardship, resource allocation, and leadership in sustainable project delivery.
Environmental Project Focus: Garney’s project work directly supports environmental sustainability goals, including:
- Aquifer protection (Vista Ridge eliminated strain on the fragile Edwards Aquifer in San Antonio)
- Water recycling and reclamation facility construction
- Advanced water treatment for safe potable water production
- Desalination project construction to create new sustainable water supplies
- MBR (membrane bioreactor) technology installation for superior wastewater treatment quality
- Reduced environmental footprint in projects like the Twentynine Palms Marine base WWTP, which will reduce environmental impact on the Mojave Desert and Joshua Tree National Park
ESG Alignment: Garney’s ESOP structure also aligns with strong social (S) components of ESG: broad employee ownership, wealth-sharing across all levels of the organization, diversity and inclusion programs including the company’s partnership with the Raytown School District to expose young women to construction careers, and veteran/military hiring initiatives through the Military & Veterans program.
Garney’s corporate purpose statement — “Building Sustainable Futures with the World’s Most Precious Resources — Water & People” — is not marketing language; it is the operational lens through which every project decision is made.
DBE/MBE/WBE Subcontractor Relationships
Garney Construction operates extensively in the publicly funded water and wastewater construction market, where Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), and Women Business Enterprise (WBE) subcontracting requirements are frequently mandated by federal, state, and local project owners. Garney’s experience as a CMAR and design-build contractor on large public infrastructure programs means it regularly manages subcontractor programs that include DBE/MBE/WBE firms.
Garney’s collaborative delivery model is particularly well-suited to DBE/MBE/WBE engagement: by involving subcontractors early in the project development process — rather than simply selecting the lowest bidder after design is complete — Garney can identify opportunities for diverse firms to participate in scopes ranging from earthwork and concrete to specialty mechanical work, electrical, and instrumentation and controls.
Specific scopes where Garney typically engages subcontractors and where DBE/MBE/WBE firms may find opportunities include:
- Electrical and instrumentation (E&I) work on treatment plants and pump stations
- Concrete formwork and flatwork
- HVAC and mechanical systems for treatment facilities
- Specialty coatings (beyond Garney’s own coatings capabilities)
- Landscaping and site restoration
- Trucking and materials hauling
- Environmental monitoring and testing
For DBE/MBE/WBE businesses seeking subcontracting opportunities with Garney, the best first step is to contact the regional Garney office closest to the project location. Garney maintains upcoming bid listings at garney.com/upcoming-bids, which provides advance notice of projects entering the market where subcontractor and vendor engagement opportunities exist.
Bonding Capacity & Financial Strength
As a company with annual revenues exceeding $2 billion and more than six decades of operational history, Garney Construction maintains substantial surety bonding capacity to support large-scale public and federal infrastructure contracts. Surety bonds — including bid bonds, performance bonds, and payment bonds — are required by virtually all public agency clients on construction contracts, and a contractor’s bonding capacity is a direct function of its financial strength, track record, and relationships with surety underwriters.
Garney’s combination of strong annual revenue, 100% employee-owned stability (no dividend pressure from external shareholders), consistent profitability, and decades of on-time, on-budget project delivery make it one of the most bondable water infrastructure contractors in the United States. The company’s low EMR of 0.53 further reduces risk in the eyes of surety underwriters, as it signals a low-risk operational environment.
For large CMAR or design-build programs where project values range from $100 million to over $900 million (as in the Vista Ridge project), the bonding capacity required is substantial, and only a handful of specialty water contractors in the nation are capable of providing the required surety. Garney’s demonstrated ability to execute billion-dollar projects confirms a bonding capacity commensurate with the largest water infrastructure programs in the country.
Clients and owners interested in specific bonding capacity figures for prequalification purposes should contact Garney’s corporate business development team directly through garney.com/contact.
ISO & Industry Certifications
Garney Construction demonstrates its technical and quality credentials through alignment with American Water Works Association (AWWA) standards — the primary industry standards body for water infrastructure construction. Garney crews are trained and experienced in all relevant AWWA standards, including:
- AWWA D110 — Wire- and Strand-Wound, Circular, Prestressed Concrete Water Tanks (Types I, II, and III)
- AWWA D115 — Circular Prestressed Concrete Tanks with Circumferential Tendons
Garney also holds contractor licenses in states where licensing is required, including:
- Arizona Contractor License: ROC 074957 (serving Arizona and New Mexico)
- Contractor licenses are maintained in all states where the company actively operates
For the federal market, Garney’s federal division maintains all required registrations, clearances, and qualifications to work with U.S. military installations, federal agencies, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects.
Garney’s Safety program is aligned with industry-leading safety management frameworks, and the company’s SSTOP program reflects systematic, documented safety training that supports compliance with OSHA standards across all jurisdictions where it operates.
Subcontractor & Vendor Contact / Procurement Process
Garney Construction’s status as a self-performing contractor means that, while it executes the majority of its scope with its own crews, it does engage subcontractors and vendors for specialty scopes, materials supply, and services that complement its core capabilities. The procurement process varies by project type and delivery method.
For Subcontractors: Subcontractors interested in working with Garney should begin by monitoring the Upcoming Bids section at garney.com/upcoming-bids, which provides advance notice of projects being bid across the country. For collaborative delivery projects (CMAR and design-build), Garney often engages subcontractors earlier in the process — during preconstruction — which can provide more lead time for pricing and planning.
Regional contacts for subcontractor engagement:
- General inquiries: garney.com/contact
- General phone: 816-741-4600 (North Kansas City HQ)
- Arizona / Southwest: 840 E. McKellips Road, Unit 110, Mesa, AZ 85203 | Phone: (602) 470-0001
- Florida / Southeast: 500 N. Orlando Ave., Suite 1000, Winter Park, FL 32789
For Vendors & Suppliers: Garney is a major consumer of pipeline materials (concrete, steel, ductile iron, fiberglass, PVC, HDPE pipe), mechanical equipment (pumps, valves, instrumentation), concrete materials, and specialty coatings. Key material suppliers who have worked with Garney include American Cast Iron Pipe (AMERICAN), Northwest Pipe Company, and other major pipe manufacturers. Vendors interested in supply relationships should reach out through the regional office serving the project geography.
Garney Construction vs. Competitors: Jacobs, Black & Veatch, Veolia, Primoris
Understanding how Garney Construction compares to other major players in the water infrastructure sector is essential for clients evaluating contractors, for subcontractors choosing prime partners, and for industry observers tracking market dynamics.
Garney vs. Jacobs Engineering Group
Jacobs is a global professional services and technical solutions company with revenues exceeding $16 billion annually. Jacobs primarily offers engineering, consulting, and program management services — it is not primarily a self-performing construction contractor. In the water space, Jacobs competes for engineering, design, and program management contracts on the same projects where Garney builds the infrastructure.
Key differences: Garney is a pure construction contractor with self-perform capabilities, while Jacobs is primarily an engineering and consulting firm. They are more complementary than competitive in many procurement structures — Jacobs might design a treatment plant that Garney builds. On design-build projects, they may compete as prime contractor leads assembling their own team of design partners and construction subcontractors.
Garney’s advantage: Self-perform construction depth, industry-leading EMR, ESOP culture, and 60+ years of focused water infrastructure execution.
Garney vs. Black & Veatch
Black & Veatch is a global engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) company headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas — just miles from Garney’s own Kansas City headquarters. Black & Veatch has revenues exceeding $3 billion and serves the water, power, and telecommunications sectors. In the water space, Black & Veatch is a major competitor on large EPC and design-build programs.
Key differences: Black & Veatch is an engineering-led EPC contractor, competing directly against Garney on design-build and CMAR water projects. Notably, Black & Veatch served as an engineering partner on the Bois d’Arc Lake pipeline project in Texas — a project where Garney served as the CMAR constructor. This illustrates how the two companies sometimes work together as partners, and other times compete head-to-head.
Garney’s advantage: Deeper self-perform construction capability, exclusively water-focused culture, ESOP ownership model, and the world’s most specialized water infrastructure workforce.
Garney vs. Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions
Veolia is a French multinational environmental services company with operations in water management, waste management, and energy services worldwide. In the U.S. water sector, Veolia competes primarily in water treatment operations, water technology, and large-scale water/wastewater operations and maintenance contracts — not primarily in the construction of new infrastructure.
Key differences: Veolia’s primary business is operating and maintaining water systems and providing treatment technology solutions, while Garney’s core business is constructing water infrastructure. The two companies serve different points in the water project lifecycle and often work together on projects where Garney builds the infrastructure that Veolia may later operate.
Garney’s advantage: Construction execution expertise, U.S.-based employee ownership, and a 60-year track record of delivering new water infrastructure rather than operating existing systems.
Garney vs. Primoris Services Corporation
Primoris is a publicly traded (NASDAQ: PRIM) construction and engineering company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with revenues approaching $6–7 billion. Primoris serves the utility, energy, and civil infrastructure markets, including water and wastewater through its utility segment.
Key differences: Primoris is a publicly traded, diversified contractor competing across energy, pipeline, and civil infrastructure. While Primoris has water/wastewater construction capabilities, water is one of many sectors it serves — not its exclusive focus. Garney’s entire revenue base is water and wastewater infrastructure.
Garney’s advantage: 100% focus on water (no diluted attention across energy or other sectors), employee-owned culture driving stronger accountability and retention, #1 ENR rankings in three water categories, and the collaborative delivery expertise to lead the most complex municipal water programs in the country.
Summary Comparison Table
| Attribute | Garney | Jacobs | Black & Veatch | Veolia | Primoris |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Business | Water construction | Engineering/consulting | Engineering/EPC | Water operations/technology | Diversified construction |
| Ownership | 100% ESOP | Public (NYSE: J) | Private | Public (Paris: VIE) | Public (NASDAQ: PRIM) |
| Revenue | $2B+ | $16B+ | $3B+ | $43B+ (global) | $6-7B |
| Water Focus | Exclusive | Partial | Partial | Partial | Partial |
| Self-Perform Construction | Yes | No | Partial | No | Yes |
| EMR | 0.53 | N/A (not a field contractor) | Not disclosed | N/A | Not disclosed |
| ENR Water Rank | #1 (multiple categories) | Not ranked as constructor | Ranked | Not ranked | Ranked |
| Collaborative Delivery | 90% of work | Occasional | Yes | No | Yes |
Market Positioning & Competitive Advantages
Garney Construction’s market position is built on a set of genuine, defensible competitive advantages that are extremely difficult for competitors to replicate:
1. Single-Industry Focus: Every dollar of Garney’s revenue comes from water and wastewater infrastructure. This singular focus means deeper technical knowledge, stronger client relationships, more relevant past performance, and a more experienced workforce than any diversified competitor can match. In competitive water bids, Garney’s depth of relevant experience is simply unmatched.
2. Self-Perform Capability at Scale: Because Garney builds with its own crews — not subcontractors — it maintains direct control over quality, schedule, and safety on every project. When you work with Garney, you get the resources of 2,500+ trained water infrastructure workers and the company’s own substantial fleet of specialized construction equipment. This self-perform model is rare at Garney’s revenue scale and gives clients a meaningful advantage in risk management.
3. ESOP Ownership Culture: The employee-owned model creates a workforce that is uniquely motivated to deliver excellent outcomes. Staff turnover is lower, project continuity is better, and the ownership mentality cascades from executive leadership all the way to field craft workers. Clients notice the difference in how Garney’s people engage with problems.
4. Collaborative Delivery Leadership: With 90% of current work using CMAR, design-build, or P3 delivery, Garney has more collaborative delivery experience than virtually any other water contractor in the United States. Having led over 100 clients through their first collaborative delivery project, Garney can guide clients who are new to these methods — reducing owner risk and accelerating outcomes.
5. Safety Record: An EMR of 0.53 — half the industry average — reduces insurance costs, strengthens prequalification competitiveness, and is simply the right thing to do for people who go to work every day on complex infrastructure projects.
6. National Footprint with Local Expertise: With 19 offices in strategic locations across the country, Garney can mobilize quickly for projects in virtually any market while maintaining the local relationships and regulatory knowledge that are essential for successful infrastructure delivery.
Executive Leadership Team
In the fall of 2023, Garney transitioned to a new executive leadership team, marking a strategic evolution for the company while maintaining the culture and values that Charles Garney established more than 60 years ago.
David Burkhart — Chief Executive Officer David Burkhart leads Garney as its CEO, responsible for establishing the company’s vision and direction, long-term strategic planning and growth, and overall company structure. Coming from a family of educators with roots in western Kansas farming communities, Burkhart brings values of hard work, integrity, and commitment to his leadership role. He has served on Garney’s Safety Council, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion/Belonging Council, Risk Management Council, Equipment Council, and as an ESOP Trustee.
Matt Foster & Matt Reaves — Presidents The dual-president structure reflects Garney’s operational scale and geographic breadth, with each president overseeing significant portions of the company’s national operations.
Mark Garrett — Chief People Officer (appointed May 2025) As Garney’s first-ever Chief People Officer, Mark Garrett oversees human resources, recruiting, employee relations, and training and development. His appointment in 2025 reflects Garney’s commitment to strengthening its people-first culture. Garrett brings senior HR leadership experience from Hallmark Cards, Farmland Foods, Smithfield Foods, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City.
Dan Rutledge — Chief Financial Officer Promoted to CFO in 2024, Rutledge leads Garney’s financial strategy, operations, and oversight, having previously served as VP and Controller.
Acquisitions Timeline
Garney’s growth story is partly one of organic market share expansion and partly one of strategic acquisition — each transaction carefully chosen to add capabilities, geographic reach, or cultural alignment.
2001 — Grimm Construction (Colorado) Acquired to enhance capabilities in water treatment, pumping, and storage in the Mountain West. Grimm’s established client relationships in Colorado became the foundation for Garney’s Western expansion.
2012 — Encore Construction Group (Florida) A Winter Garden, Florida-based contractor specializing in water and wastewater treatment facilities and pump stations with approximately 125 employees and ~$80 million in revenue. The acquisition solidified Garney’s treatment plant construction operations throughout the Southeastern United States.
2015 — Garney Pacific (Formed) Rather than acquiring, Garney established a new subsidiary focused on water and wastewater construction in Northern California and the Pacific Coast — a recognition that the West Coast market required dedicated regional presence.
2018 — Warren Environmental & A&W Coatings (Massachusetts) Two companies co-founded by Danny and Jane Warren, specializing in epoxy coatings and protective linings for water infrastructure. This acquisition added a complementary rehabilitation service line, allowing Garney to offer clients protection and rehabilitation of existing infrastructure in addition to new construction.
2026 — Emery & Sons Construction Group (Oregon) Announced January 6, 2026, this acquisition establishes Garney’s permanent presence in the Pacific Northwest. Emery & Sons has been serving the region since its founding in 1967, delivering underground utilities, heavy civil construction, park and trail improvements, water reservoir projects, and roadway construction. The acquisition supports Garney’s long-term vision of becoming a full-service water solutions provider with a truly nationwide footprint.
Career Opportunities & Employee Culture
For professionals considering a career in water infrastructure construction, Garney Construction represents one of the most compelling opportunities in the industry — combining the financial benefits of ESOP ownership with a strong culture of safety, community, and professional development.
ESOP Benefits: Every Garney employee-owner participates in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Unlike stock options or profit-sharing programs, ESOP ownership gives employees actual equity in the company — an ownership stake that grows in value as the company grows. For many long-tenured Garney employees, the ESOP has provided retirement security that rivals or exceeds what they might have accumulated through a conventional 401(k) plan alone.
Career Paths: Garney offers career tracks in project management, field operations (superintendent, foreman, laborer), equipment operation, estimating, business development, engineering, finance, safety, and human resources. The company operates construction programs across 30+ states, providing geographic flexibility and exposure to projects of varying scale and complexity.
Military & Veterans Program: Garney actively recruits veterans and military personnel through its dedicated Military & Veterans program, recognizing that the discipline, leadership, and teamwork skills developed in military service translate directly to the demands of complex infrastructure construction.
Community Involvement: Garney is embedded in the communities where it works. The company has partnered with school districts (including Raytown, Missouri) to expose young people — particularly young women — to careers in construction, and participates actively in industry and civic organizations across its regions of operation.
Current Openings: Available positions are listed at careers.garney.com, including roles in project management, field engineering, superintending, safety, and business development. Recruiting inquiries can be directed to 321-221-2825.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Garney Construction’s main specialty? A: Garney Construction specializes exclusively in water and wastewater infrastructure construction — including pipelines, treatment plants, pump stations, water storage tanks, marine waterworks, heavy civil work, and site development. Every project Garney executes is water-related.
Q: Is Garney Construction publicly traded? A: No. Garney Construction is 100% privately held through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). All shareholders are current employees. The company is not listed on any stock exchange.
Q: Where is Garney Construction headquartered? A: Garney’s corporate headquarters is located at 1700 Swift Street, North Kansas City, Missouri 64116. General phone: 816-741-4600.
Q: What is Garney’s annual revenue? A: Garney’s annual revenues exceed $2 billion as of 2025–2026, having grown from approximately $842 million in 2017.
Q: What is Garney’s EMR safety rating? A: Garney’s current Experience Modification Rate (EMR) is 0.53 — nearly half the industry average of 1.0. This reflects an exceptional safety culture and track record.
Q: What states does Garney operate in? A: Garney operates in approximately 30 states across the United States, with 19 regional offices. Key markets include Texas, Florida, Colorado, Arizona, California, Oregon, Missouri, Georgia, and the Mid-Atlantic states, as well as federal project work nationwide.
Q: Does Garney work on federal government projects? A: Yes. Garney Federal, established in 2015, pursues federal water and wastewater construction contracts nationwide, including projects for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense, and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps installations.
Q: How do I submit a subcontractor bid or vendor inquiry to Garney? A: Visit garney.com/upcoming-bids to view projects currently seeking subcontractor and vendor participation. For general inquiries, contact the regional Garney office nearest to your location, or reach the corporate headquarters at 816-741-4600.
Q: What delivery methods does Garney specialize in? A: Garney specializes in collaborative delivery methods — CMAR (Construction Manager at Risk), Fixed-Price Design-Build, Progressive Design-Build, and P3 (Public-Private Partnership). Collaborative delivery now accounts for approximately 90% of Garney’s current work. The company has guided over 100 clients through their first collaborative delivery project.
Q: Who are Garney’s main competitors? A: In the water infrastructure construction space, Garney’s primary competitors include Primoris Services Corporation, Crowder Construction, Lane Construction, Clark Construction (water division), and Henkels & McCoy. On design-build and EPC programs, Black & Veatch is a significant competitor. Garney’s ESOP ownership, exclusive water focus, and self-perform model distinguish it clearly from all of these firms.
Q: What is Garney’s largest completed project? A: The Vista Ridge Water Supply Project in San Antonio, Texas — valued at $927 million — is Garney’s largest project to date. It was the largest privately financed water project in North American history at the time of its completion and was named the North America Water Deal of the Year by three separate international organizations.
Q: Does Garney Construction have sustainability certifications? A: Garney’s projects have been recognized under the Envision sustainable infrastructure rating system. The Bee Ridge Water Reclamation Facility in Sarasota County earned a Gold Envision Award in 2024. Garney’s core business — building water infrastructure — is intrinsically aligned with environmental sustainability goals including aquifer protection, water recycling, and advanced water treatment.
Conclusion: Why Garney Construction Leads the Industry
Garney Construction’s six-decade story is one of focused excellence — a company that chose to do one thing and do it better than anyone else in the country. By building only water and wastewater infrastructure, by owning all the equity in the business through its workforce, by investing in safety and training and technology, and by pioneering collaborative delivery methods that deliver better outcomes for clients, Garney has earned its position at the top of every relevant ENR ranking.
For municipal engineers, federal procurement officers, and private developers evaluating water infrastructure contractors: Garney brings $2 billion in annual revenue, 2,700+ dedicated employee-owners, an EMR of 0.53, and a project portfolio that includes some of the largest and most complex water programs ever built in North America.
For subcontractors and vendors seeking a prime partner: Garney’s 19 offices, active presence in 30 states, and 90%+ collaborative delivery approach means more early engagement, more predictable procurement, and a partner that treats subcontractor success as its own.
For anyone trying to understand who builds America’s water future — the answer, increasingly, is Garney Construction.
Contact Garney Construction:
- Website: garney.com
- Headquarters: 1700 Swift Street, North Kansas City, MO 64116
- General Phone: 816-741-4600
- Recruiting: 321-221-2825
- Media: 816-759-3910
- Upcoming Bids: garney.com/upcoming-bids
- Careers: careers.garney.com