Our History
Rycon’s Beginnings
From Rycon’s Pittsburgh, PA inception in 1989, an office of three employees has grown to 830 office and field staff. The company has evolved from a small interiors contractor to a national firm that completed $1.1 billion of revenue in 2023 across nine offices and multiple market sectors.
Rycon was co-founded by Todd Dominick and William Taylor. Todd earned a degree in Civil Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, while William mastered the field side through the Carpenter’s Program. Together they forged the foundation to shape Rycon into the company it is today.
Timeline
Our Foundation
1989 – 1994
Revenue to Date: $46.5 Million
April 27, 1989, Todd Dominick and William Taylor co-founded Rycon Construction, Inc. in Pittsburgh, PA. The first awarded project was a JCPenney renovation in Baden, PA and the first standalone building constructed was an Applebee’s in Pittsburgh, PA. In the first five years, Rycon completed 50 Dick’s Sporting Goods jobs.
1995 – 1999
Revenue to Date: $254.2 Million
Completed nearly 100 projects for Oxford Development Company, fit-out a high-end executive lounge at Pittsburgh International Airport, and constructed a new $10.1 million medical office building in Coraopolis, PA. Rycon completed work in six states.
2000 – 2004
Revenue to Date: $572.6 Million
Moved the HQ office from south Pittsburgh suburbs to the City of Pittsburgh’s Strip District neighborhood. Office employee count was approximately 52 people, Rycon’s field staff grows to 65 employees, and the Company has accomplished a client-repeat rate of over 40%. The in-house architectural woodwork & specialty fabrication division was established. In 2004, Rycon successfully completed their first LEED project; a new residence hall at Carnegie Mellon University (the country’s first LEED dorm).
2005 – 2009
Revenue to Date: $1.1 Billion
Total number of office employees grew to 81, with 110 field staff. Rycon completed 100 projects for Carnegie Mellon University. Notable projects completed included: $20+ million high-end law firm fit-out, $15+ million department store, $15+ million children’s hospital renovation, and a $10+ million new office building at Southpointe in Canonsburg, PA. Rycon had worked in 21 states to date.
2010 – 2014
Revenue to Date: $1.6 Billion
Co-founder William Taylor retires, and John Sabatos joins team as President/COO. A $20 million LEED Gold Certified office/call center adaptive reuse project is completed in just seven months. Rycon celebrated its 25th Anniversary and the completion of 2,500 projects.
2015 – 2019
Revenue to Date: $3.5 Billion
The Pittsburgh HQ relocates a few blocks to the City of Pittsburgh’s 3 Crossings Development in the Strip District. Rycon was recognized as an ENR Top 100 Green Contractor in 2016. In 2017, Rycon became an ESOP company, making our employees part-owners of the company. Rycon completed 100 projects for Aramark. In this time, Rycon also completed 300+ projects for UPMC. Rycon opens its Service Division and regional offices in Cleveland, Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. Rycon’s capabilities expand to handling nationwide work for our repeat clients.
2020 – 2023
Revenue to Date: $6.5 Billion
Rycon ranks #167 on ENR Top 400 Contractor’s List and is named 2022 ENR MidAtlantic Contractor of the Year. Opens offices in Fort Myers and Houston, and maintains an 86% client-repeat rate. In 2022, Rycon signs its first two $100+ million contracts: construction of a 1.5 million sq. ft. multi-modal complex at Pittsburgh International Airport. In 2023, Rycon reached a total of 12.8 million square feet of industrial/warehouse construction completed. Additionally, Rycon completes over 5,000+ living units. Co-founder Todd Dominick retires, and John Sabatos takes over as CEO with Kevin Montez taking on the role of COO.
2024
With over 35 years of dedication to the construction industry, Rycon has honed its capabilities, competencies, and professionalism, becoming a valuable partner for our clients helping them to achieve their mission. Our collaborative approach, coupled with our safety-first mentality, ensures seamless, quality-driven, and predictable outcomes.
What differentiates us is we are an employee-owned company, a testament to our belief in shared success and collective responsibility. This ownership structure reflects our commitment to fostering a collaborative and empowered workforce, ensuring that each has a stake in the company’s success.
In 2024 and beyond, we stand firm in delivering excellence and adapting to evolving construction needs, and promoting a culture where each employee contributes to our continued success.
Join Our Team
Become An
Employee-Owner
We are continuously looking for talented individuals to join Rycon and contribute to our culture centered around our employees and their individual growth within the company. As a member of our Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP), you’re more than an employee; you’re an owner.
