Built on industry partnerships and shared ownership, R. C. Stevens Construction Company celebrates 100 years of excellence
Florida’s leading design-build contractor, R. C. Stevens Construction Company (R. C. Stevens), marks 100 years of success in 2026. Founded by architect Ray Stevens over a century ago, the business continues to prosper through its design-build approach to construction.
Having played a major role in the rapid growth of Central Florida’s property sector throughout the 1920s and 1930s, R. C. Stevens retains its position as an industry pioneer to this day. As Vice President, Tim Keating III, begins: “There was a massive boom happening throughout Florida at that time. It was home to some of the world’s leading suppliers of citrus products and, with that, more people started moving to the area.
“As the population grew, demand for commercial properties increased. Ray Stevens provided a vital service to the expanding citrus sector, completing dozens of facilities during his 20-year tenure as company president.
“He then passed R. C. Stevens Construction onto the next generation of leaders, and that tradition has continued ever since. Today, we remain true to his original design-build model, retaining a strong focus on the industrial, food and beverage, and healthcare markets. Relationship-driven delivery helped fortify this business during its early years, and it remains a central tenet of our success to this day,” he affirms.
Over the past century, R. C. Stevens has been shaped by numerous influential leaders. Each generation contributed unique strengths and perspectives to the company’s legacy. In 2022, R. C. Stevens was sold to The Cianbro Companies. This marked the beginning of a new chapter for the business, as Tim comments: “Joining Cianbro has allowed us to access expanded resources and capabilities across the board. Our partnership with them has also helped the business transition into an employee ownership model, affording team members more agency and protection.
“The move has not only helped preserve our legacy, but it has also positioned the business for continued growth, innovation, and long-term success.”
Becoming an employee-owned company marked a transformative shift in R. C. Stevens working culture. “While we have always taken pride in the R. C. Stevens’ name, shared ownership has elevated that pride to a new level,” Tim elaborates. “When team members are also owners, their connection to the work deepens.
“Ownership creates a sense of purpose and accountability – people want to be part of something meaningful. By having a direct stake in the company, our team approaches its work with greater commitment, collaboration, and care, resulting in better outcomes for our clients and stronger long-term relationships.”
Reliable, agile solutions
As the company has continued to evolve, it has never lost sight of its roots, remaining a specialist design-build contractor for commercial and industrial spaces across Florida. This long-standing foundation has evolved into a comprehensive suite of construction services serving a diverse client base. As Tim details: “We provide preconstruction, design-build, and general contracting services, delivering projects with a focus on collaboration, efficiency, and quality. In addition, we maintain self-perform capabilities across multiple trades at defined capacities, allowing for greater control over schedule, cost, and workmanship.
“Our nimble workforce enables us to respond quickly and effectively to changing project demands, including time-sensitive and emergency situations. This combination of experience, integrated services, and self-perform capability allows us to deliver reliable, agile solutions throughout all phases of construction.”
Long-standing partnerships and deep expertise have helped R. C. Stevens remain an industry forerunner for more than a century. Tim reflects on how these strengths continue to drive the company’s success: “Strong relationships are at the foundation of everything. Throughout every challenging period in our company’s history, the trust we have built with our clients and subcontractors has carried us forward. These long-standing partnerships are rooted in integrity – doing what we say we will do, every time.
“We believe that trustworthy team members and consistent, transparent communication are essential to delivering successful projects. By earning and maintaining the confidence of our clients and partners, we create a collaborative environment that drives reliability, accountability, and lasting results in an industry where trust matters most,” he asserts.
Extending geographic reach
Gearing up for another 100 years of construction excellence, the R. C. Stevens team is implementing new strategies that will help strengthen their working culture and bring in talented new professionals. “We are highly focused on our people, ensuring the right individuals are in the right roles to best serve our clients. This intentional approach allows us to strengthen relationships with our existing customers while expanding our reach to new and exciting opportunities. Across our organization, the belief that it’s all about the people is more than a tagline, it is a guiding principle that shapes how we operate and deliver value.
“Also, by increasing the amount of work we self-perform, we have enhanced our agility and responsiveness. This flexibility enables us to adapt quickly to client needs, maintain control over quality and schedules, and deliver consistent value across every project,” Tim enthuses.
By putting its people first, R. C. Stevens has set a benchmark for workplace culture. That ethos continues to drive growth across the company, and with ambitious plans to expand its footprint and client reach, 2026 promises to be an exciting year. As Tim reveals: “We have established a strong presence in the Tampa market, securing a growing portfolio of work with several valued clients. As we continue to build and strengthen relationships in the region, our long-term goal is to expand our footprint by opening and growing a dedicated Tampa-based office.
“As part of our strategic growth, we are also expanding into the public sector to further diversify our portfolio. The National Guard project represents a strong design-build opportunity delivered alongside experienced partners and aligns well with our core capabilities. This work allows us to extend our geographic reach across the state while opening the door to additional public-sector opportunities.”
The food and beverage industry also offers exciting opportunities for growth, as Tim continues: “We are experiencing significant growth with our Food and Beverage clients, a market that aligns closely with our experience, technical expertise, and delivery model.
“As a result, we are continuing to expand our industrial operations throughout the Southeast. Our self-perform capabilities are at an all-time high, enabling greater schedule control, increased flexibility, and a more responsive approach to meeting our clients’ evolving project needs.”
Investing in people and technology
A century of success is no small feat. R. C. Stevens’ longevity stands as proof that it is people who ultimately drive success. Looking ahead, Tim considers what’s next for the business. “We’re entering 2026 with strong momentum and a solid pipeline of upcoming work, while remaining firmly anchored to our core priorities; our people and our clients. We continue to invest in emerging industry technologies and in the development of our workforce, equipping our teams to be highly skilled, multi-talented professionals across multiple trades.
“This focus ensures long-term growth, adaptability, and consistent value for the clients we serve. Looking further ahead, we intend to sustain our current growth trajectory over the next five years with a strategic focus on expanding our presence throughout Florida and, ultimately, across the Southeast United States.
“None of this would be possible without our exceptional staff – both in the field and behind the scenes. Without their dedication and expertise, our company would not exist. As an employee-owned company, every team member has a voice, and every perspective matters.
“When people are empowered to contribute and take ownership, there is no limit to what we can accomplish or build together,” he concludes.