TOM MANNING retires after 30+ year indusTry career
After a distinguished 30+ year career of dedicated service to the Kansas City market, Tom Manning, former President of Manning Construction, and current Executive Vice President at Russell, has officially begun a well-deserved retirement.
Tom has been in the construction industry for most of his professional career – founding Manning Construction in 1994 and serving as the driving force behind their growth in the Kansas City market, especially in the hospitality and K-12 education markets. An avid relationship-builder, Tom was dedicated to fostering positive client relationships, with many notable districts including De Soto USD #232, Gardner-Edgerton USD #231, Olathe Public Schools USD #233, and Platte County R-III.
With over 30+ years in the construction industry, Tom started his business as a design/build contractor before moving into the K-12 school market as a Construction Manager. Serving on the board of the Olathe Public Schools Foundation for eight years, one as the Chairman, led to the district hiring Manning Construction as their first construction manager leading to a future specializing in this type of work. In 2022, Tom was beginning to explore options on how to begin winding-down his successful 28-year-old business.
“With no additional family involved in the business, other
than myself and my wife, we wanted to find a way
to ensure our remaining employees had a place to land,
as we began seriously considering retirement.
We really did not want to just close our doors and leave our employees to find new jobs. That just didn’t feel right.
After hearing about Russell entering the Kansas City
market, I reached out to Jim Russell, and after our first
meeting I knew it was going to be a great fit,”
stated Tom Manning.
As a community-oriented leader, in addition to chairing the Olathe Public Schools Foundation and helping to organize their first golf tournament, Tom was on the board of the Gillis Home for Children for eight years, also starting their first golf tournament fundraiser. Tom was also active in the Olathe community serving on the Chamber of Commerce board for several years, most recently as the Chamber Treasurer and the Chairman of the Board in 2003.
“Tom has built and helped shape many notable projects
across the Kansas City market, and state of Missouri,
over his 30+ year career. We are extremely grateful
for his service and his commitment to our industry.
We are going to miss him,”
Greg Sikora, President of Russell’s Kansas City office, shared.
Tom’s positive energy, bright smile, and magnetic personality will be missed as he transitions into this next phase. Russell’s Kansas City office thanks him for the remarkable legacy he leaves behind.