OMAHA, NE — In business since 1976, Ronco Construction is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
“This anniversary marks more than a look back; it’s a celebration of the relationships, the projects, and the team members who made it possible,” said Zak Olsen, President and CEO. “The biggest factor in our success has been our people-first culture. We prioritize our team members above all else and create an environment that allows them to flourish. I’m excited about our continued growth and the people who drive that forward.”
Ron Olsen and Linda Olsen started Linde Construction in 1976 as a union shop specializing in commercial construction in Omaha, Nebraska. In 1983, they started Ronco Construction as a non-union counterpart. The two companies operated side by side until merging in 2003, creating a unified foundation for long-term growth. The company expanded into Kansas City, Missouri, in 2020.
“We started this company with a simple mindset — see where you can add value, step in with confidence, and do great work,” Linda said.
Throughout the company’s tenure, notable projects include:
| Your local Manitou dealer |
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| Star Equipment LTD |
| Star Equipment LTD |
- UNO Circulation Tower, the first project for Linde Construction
- Offutt Building 500 Renovation, one of over a dozen projects completed for Offutt Airforce Base during the 1980s
- Dillion Inn Hotel, which at the time was the largest project completed by a non-union contractor in the state of Nebraska
- Two Springs Elementary, the first of several new schools built for the city of Bellevue in the 1990s
- Lincoln County City Building, a three-year, eight-phase project for the city of Lincoln
- UNL City Campus Utility Plan Expansion, which provides hot and chilled water and steam for the UNL campus and many state buildings in downtown Lincoln, Nebraska
- Pacific Street Bridge, the first bridge replacement project
- Blackstone Station, the first of 10 projects completed over a five-year period to revitalize the Blackstone neighborhood
- Hilton Hampton Inn & Suites, the first project where the Potain MDT 289 tower crane was used, marking the first of its kind in North America
- Aerie Blue Sage, the first build-to-rent project in Omaha
Today, Ronco is a team of nearly 120 employees across its Omaha headquarters and Kansas City office, blending long-tenured team members with new talent. Many employees have built their careers at Ronco.
“After 40 years, working at Ronco has become a way of life for me,” said Darrell Darling, Senior Superintendent at Ronco. “The family atmosphere makes it easy to lace up my boots every morning. I enjoy the teamwork between ownership, partners, and day-to-day crews. And seeing a project go from a parcel of land to a beautiful building never gets old. Working here is more like therapy as opposed to being a job.”
“What stood out to me right away is the drive everyone has to make Ronco successful and keep growing,” said Dan Andersen, a Foreman who joined the team in November 2024. “There’s a real team mentality here. People step in to help wherever it’s needed. That kind of support, along with leadership that invests in its people, is what makes this a place where you want to stay and grow.”
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| Star Equipment LTD |
| Star Equipment LTD |
That team-first mindset extends beyond Ronco’s walls and into the client and partner relationship.
“Our partnership with Ronco has always been built on trust and a shared commitment to doing things the right way,” said J.F. Carter, Co-Owner of CFM Realty. “Their team is reliable, collaborative, and consistently puts the project first while approaching everything with a solution-focused mindset and a true sense of partnership.”
