DonahueFavret Contractors has been recognized among Louisiana State University’s 2026 LSU100 businesses, placing the commercial contractor among companies recognized for growth under LSU graduate ownership or leadership.
The recognition highlights the continued expansion of the Mandeville-based contractor, which has operated across Louisiana and the Gulf South for nearly five decades. LSU100 is designed to recognize 100 of the fastest-growing businesses owned or led by LSU graduates while providing a platform for business leaders to share experience with the university’s entrepreneurial community.
Founded in 1979, DonahueFavret provides general contracting and construction management services across a range of commercial and institutional markets. Its portfolio includes healthcare, education, hospitality, retail, workplace, civic and renovation projects.
The company typically handles projects ranging from approximately $8 million to $50 million in construction value and delivers work through construction manager at risk, design-build, design-assist and traditional design-bid-build methods.
Current and recent work includes projects connected to LSU Health Sciences, LSU infrastructure improvements, LSU Library and Learning Commons, Northwestern State University and Lady of the Sea General Hospital.
DonahueFavret's broader Gulf South operations cover multiple construction sectors and include work involving public and institutional owners. The company's current project activity also includes education and healthcare developments across Louisiana.
The LSU100 recognition also reflects the contractor's longstanding connection with LSU. Founder and Chairman John L. "Jack" Donahue earned a civil engineering degree from LSU in 1967 before establishing the company in Mandeville.
President and CEO John L. Donahue III earned a bachelor's degree in construction management from LSU in 1990 and joined DonahueFavret as a project manager and estimator. He later became president and CEO and continues to lead the company.
Five LSU graduates now serve on DonahueFavret's executive leadership team, extending the university's influence into the company's current management structure.
The LSU100 program will culminate with its ranked countdown and celebration on Nov. 6, 2026. The program recognizes fast-growing LSU graduate-led businesses while creating opportunities for networking and sharing business experience with the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Recognition on the LSU100 list provides an indicator of DonahueFavret's growth within the Gulf South construction market. For owners and industry partners, the company's continued activity across healthcare, education and civic work reflects the demand for experienced contractors capable of handling complex institutional projects.
The recognition also highlights the role of university-connected leadership in sustaining construction businesses and developing the next generation of industry professionals.
Source: DonahueFavret.
