By Staff Writer, Hampton Roads Construction News Network
Granite Construction Incorporated, founded in 1922, has spent more than a century building America’s infrastructure—from highways and rail systems to dams and environmental restoration. Today, the company stands as one of the nation’s largest diversified heavy-civil contractors and vertically integrated materials producers, publicly traded and employing thousands across the country. Its projects reflect a legacy of craftsmanship, resilience, and innovation. As Granite moves into its second century, the leadership of President and Chief Executive Officer Kyle Larkin will define how that legacy evolves for the next hundred years.
Larkin joined Granite in 1996 as an estimator in the Reno, Nevada office after graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in Construction Management. Over the years, he advanced through the company’s operational and executive ranks, serving as project engineer, chief estimator, manager of construction, regional manager, and president of subsidiary Intermountain Slurry Seal. In September 2020, he was named president, and in June 2021, chief executive officer. Along the way, he earned an MBA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, pairing real-world construction experience with strategic business insight.
Under Larkin’s leadership, Granite has sharpened its competitive edge through vertical integration—owning both the construction and materials sides of the business—and embracing “best value” procurement models like progressive design-build. These approaches allow the company to control cost, ensure consistent quality, and deliver on complex, high-value projects that demand innovation and collaboration.
Growth through mergers and acquisitions has been another cornerstone of Larkin’s strategy. In 2024, Granite acquired Dickerson & Bowen, expanding its Southeast operations. In 2025, the company made two major acquisitions—Warren Paving and Papich Construction—for a combined $710 million. These strategic moves are expected to generate hundreds of millions in additional annual revenue, expand aggregate reserves, and strengthen Granite’s vertically integrated model.
The results have been tangible. In the second quarter of 2025, Granite achieved a record-high project backlog of $6.1 billion. The materials segment saw double-digit revenue growth, gross profit rose significantly, and annual revenue guidance for the year was increased. Larkin attributes these gains to disciplined operations, strong market positioning, and the early contributions from recent acquisitions.
Still, Larkin’s vision is about more than financial performance. He has consistently emphasized the importance of safety, workforce development, and building high-performance teams. In his view, sustaining Granite’s success into the next century depends on cultivating talent, fostering relationships, and empowering teams to perform at their best.
For Virginia’s builders and infrastructure leaders, Granite’s trajectory under Larkin offers an instructive example of how legacy, innovation, and people-first leadership can work together to meet the demands of a changing industry. As the Commonwealth undertakes major investments in transportation, flood protection, and renewable energy infrastructure, Larkin’s approach offers a model for growth that is both ambitious and sustainable.
About the Hampton Roads Construction News Network
The Hampton Roads Construction News Network (HRCNN) is dedicated to delivering accurate, timely, and in-depth coverage of construction, infrastructure, zoning, and development in Virginia and beyond. By spotlighting industry leaders like Kyle Larkin, HRCNN connects regional professionals with national perspectives, fostering informed dialogue and sharing strategies that strengthen the built environment for generations to come.