Jon Kinning’s entrepreneurial journey weaves a narrative that seamlessly blends family tradition with individual innovation. Starting within the familiar walls of his family’s business, Kinning’s trajectory took an adventurous turn into the competitive realm of real estate, providing him with a unique skill set and invaluable insights that would later become instrumental in shaping the future of the family business – RK Industries LLC – where he now serves as the chief operating officer and executive vice president.
RK Industries LLC, is a second-generation, family-owned merit shop enterprise with a diverse portfolio encompassing construction, manufacturing, advanced fabrication and building services. The company operates seven distinct businesses with a mission to partner with entrepreneurs and companies to provide tailor-made solutions from project inception to completion.
Under Kinning’s leadership, the firm has grown to 1,500 employees across multiple facilities and revenue has soared from $367 million in 2018 to $502.7 million in 2022. Kinning has played pivotal roles in establishing Kinning Holdings and leading the RK Foundation which donated $252,000 in 2023 alone to support impactful causes. His commitment also shines through his support for the RK Apprenticeship Program.
“His contributions extend beyond mere business operations,” said his colleagues. “His impact spans personal development, societal contributions and an unwavering pursuit of excellence, marking him as a leader who understands the interconnectedness of business success and broader social responsibility.”
Through training and awareness campaigns, Kinning has fostered a supportive company culture with a vision to nurture the next generation of industry leaders through active participation on various boards and committees, ranging from the Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce to the Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Foundation Board. He is a founder and board member of the Green and Gold Foundation and is involved with the Young Presidents’ Organization.
“Jon stands as a true titan, not only for his achievements and transformative influence on the construction sector but also for his passionate advocacy for mental health and visionary commitment to empowering future leaders,” said his staff.
Kinning’s superpower is his ability to connect people. “Whether it’s facilitating beneficial professional relationships or fostering personal growth, I thrive on bringing together individuals who can mutually support and advance each other’s endeavors,” he said. “Guided by the belief that good people know good people, I actively seek opportunities to unite like-minded individuals and facilitate meaningful collaborations.”
