Brothers Take the Helm at Kinley Construction
Kinley Construction, now marking 130 years in business, has entered a new era of leadership guided by Rennie and Josh Crisafulli, two brothers who rose from jobsite laborers to executive leaders. Their journey reflects Kinley’s long-standing tradition of hands-on experience, servant leadership, and family-driven values.
A Lifetime in Construction
Raised in western New York in a family of builders, Rennie and Josh grew up surrounded by the construction world. Their father, a residential builder, instilled the value of hard work from a young age.
“We didn’t get to sit around and watch TV. If it were the weekend and school was out, we would be in the truck with Dad headed to work,” Rennie recalled.
Josh added that while the early mornings weren’t always easy, those experiences shaped their work ethic:
“It felt defeating sometimes, like when you just wanted to sleep in. But then Dad would take us out for donuts or breakfast, and eventually it became fun. We learned what it meant to work hard and do it right.”
From Laborers to Leaders
Both brothers began their careers with Kinley Construction in New York before relocating to Texas. Over the years, they worked their way up from field laborers to estimators, project managers, and eventually into executive leadership.
Rennie, now in his 31st year, serves as President from the company’s Arlington headquarters, while Josh, with 25 years at Kinley, is Chief Commercial Officer, driving growth and client relations from the Irvine, California office.
In 2017, the brothers became minority partners in the business alongside their cousin, Jimmy Kinley. Four years later, in 2021, the three purchased the company from previous leadership, making Rennie and Josh majority partners with Jimmy, who now serves as CEO.
“When we first became partners, we didn’t really tell anyone,” Josh said. “Nothing really changed. We just kept showing up and doing the work like we always had.”
Leadership Through Experience
Both brothers emphasize that their leadership style is rooted in real-world experience.
“We’ve been there. We’ve built the work, made the mistakes, and learned what not to do,” Josh said. “It gives us the credibility to coach our team with honesty.”
Rennie added that Kinley’s philosophy is centered on servant leadership:
“At Kinley, leadership only works if it is servant leadership. It’s not about us. It’s about trusting the people we’ve hired to do the job and giving them space to grow.”
Building for the Future
Now owners, the Crisafullis see themselves as stewards of Kinley’s legacy rather than figureheads.
“I started here as a $10-an-hour laborer. To now help lead this company, it’s an honor. And the people here? They’re like family,” Rennie said.
Their goal is to raise up new leaders. “We’re trying to work ourselves out of a job,” Rennie said. “And honestly, that’s the fun part.”
Josh noted that growth for Kinley is about focus, not speed.
“We’re not trying to chase shiny objects or double overnight,” he said. “We’d rather go deeper with the customers and industries we already serve and do it The Kinley Way.”
One example is the company’s Industrial Services division, launched two years ago. Rennie described it as a natural extension of Kinley’s expertise:
“That’s a place we can put our foot on the gas. Every one of our customers needs support beyond capital construction, and we’re building the team to deliver it.”
A 130-Year Legacy
Founded in 1895, Kinley Construction has grown from a family trade into a nationwide leader in complex industrial infrastructure, with specialties in aviation fuel systems, rail terminals, energy distribution, and industrial services. The company’s reputation is built on its integrity, technical know-how, and commitment to long-term partnerships.
Looking ahead, Josh reflected on the company’s multigenerational legacy:
“We want Kinley to be here for the seventh and eighth generation. That means growing the right way, taking care of our people, and never forgetting what got us here.”
Originally reported by Fort Worth Report.