Building Community, Craftsmanship and a Lasting Legacy | Kendall Construction
Topeka’s Kendall Construction is 30 years old, but the company Rick and Sheri Kendall built is under different management and operating from a new location — and the new owners say they want to grow while keeping what made the company work.
President David Cooper and Vice President Tanner Smith worked at Kendall Construction for years before becoming the company’s co-owners. They say their familiarity and experience with the company, industry, team, community and each other has already led to new opportunities to build upon their previous success.
David, a Rossville native, began his career with the company 23 years ago.
Although he says he “fell into” his carpentry career after completing an apprenticeship program, his decision to buy Kendall Construction was more intentional.
“I told Rick the day I started here that I wanted to own this company someday,” David said. “That goal never changed.”
David bought into the company in 2020.
Tanner joined the company in 2015 after earning a degree from Kansas State University and gaining early hands-on experience in his father’s construction company. He became a co-owner in 2024.
Kendall Construction recently moved into its new building at 3135 NW 25th St. Designed to support the firm’s growing workforce and increasing project volume, the office and warehouse relocation are part of a long-term investment in the company’s future.
“We wanted to bring everyone together under one roof while still allowing room for expansion,” David said.
According to Tanner, the company has experienced steady growth the past few years and currently employs 40 field employees and eight office staff.
David and Tanner say they work together as a team and want to maintain the company’s reputation for quality work and craftsmanship.
“Our partnership works because we value honesty, hard work and community,” Tanner said. “David came up through the trades and I came in on the pre-construction side, focusing on estimating and project planning. We took different paths to get here, and that gives us a well-rounded perspective.”
The owners say they enjoy the variety their careers bring them through their interactions with new and repeat customers in diverse industries, including health care, education, banking, automotive services, retail and hospitality.
Whether remodeling a hospital wing or repairing infrastructure behind the scenes, Tanner says the Kendall Construction team takes pride in every project.
“It doesn’t matter whether the project is big or small, complex or straightforward,” he said. “Our job is to make the process smooth, the results strong and the relationship long-lasting.”
David says one significant factor that differentiates Kendall Construction from its competition is the ability for its employees to perform about 35% of the work on most projects themselves, which helps with scheduling and quality control considerations.
Kendall Construction recently remodeled the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas cafeteria and its adjacent courtyard with curved benches and water features, and will soon begin building the company’s new day care center.
“We love working on projects where we can add unique touches,” Tanner said. “David has a real eye for quality that he passes on and a lot of companies don’t have the background that our carpenters do in assessing situations that come up.”
Stormont Vail, Mars, Target Distribution Center, the Home Depot Distribution Center, Tallgrass Surgical Center, Midwest Health, Silver Lake School District, Lesser Electric and Jayhawk Fire Sprinkler Co. are just a few of the businesses Kendall Construction has partnered with in recent years.
Beyond creating internal and external structures for its clients, Kendall Construction is also dedicated to building up the communities it serves, often donating labor and materials to local schools, youth programs and nonprofits.
“If we can help a school improve its facilities or contribute to a youth sports team, we’re going to step up,” David said. “That’s what being local means.”
Like many employers, David and Tanner say they are always looking for strong talent and appreciate area school districts’ efforts to promote the trades as an attractive employment option for students after high school graduation.
“Our employees get no-cost health care, a 401(k) match and an opportunity to make around $50,000 right off the bat with no student loan debt,” Tanner said. “It’s not uncommon for someone to progress from an apprentice to a superintendent role.”
David agrees. “We believe in giving people a path,” he said. “Many of our current superintendents started with us as a first-year apprentice. We give them a chance to prove what they can do and we really strive to promote from within as much as possible.”
With a new facility and a solid foundation formed by long-term relationships and a community-first philosophy, David said he is excited about the opportunities ahead.
“There’s no secret formula,” he said. “We show up, do what we say we’re going to do and treat people right. That’s how we’ve built our company and that’s how we’ll continue to build our future.”
