Jon Wright

Senior Vice President
Buildings

Jon Wright leads with integrity, compassion and strong values. His passion for connecting with people and building businesses empowers him to create a lasting impact on the market and in the community.

He leverages more than 20 years of experience as he leads the firm’s buildings market, including the Global Facilities and Aviation & Federal Groups, shaping the future of aviation, commercial, federal and manufacturing sectors. Combining his experience in engineer-procure-construct (EPC) project delivery, operations and supply chain management, technical solutions, and strategy development, he fosters high-performing teams that solve complex technical challenges and maximize return on investment.

In the community:

Jon feels a strong commitment to the community and serves in various capacities. By partnering with like-minded organizations and individuals, he hopes to play a role in creating a positive impact on the world around him. The organizations he supports include:

  • Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
  • Kansas City Sports Commission, Board Member
  • Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Kansas City, advisory board member, former board member and past board chair
  • K-State Engineering Department
  • K-State Golden Cats, former football players association
What inspired you to pursue your career?

I attended an engineering and science camp at Kansas State University the summer after my sophomore year of high school and discovered a love for chemical engineering and never wavered. I enjoy technical concepts and love team environments, which is why I’ve always gravitated toward problem-solving and business building.

Even today, every innovative project we contribute to fuels the same excitement I’ve felt throughout my career and reminds me of the power of teamwork and the potential that lies within collaboration to make a positive impact on the world.

How do you and your team make the world a better place?

At Burns & McDonnell, our employee ownership structure fosters a vibrant culture of entrepreneurship and a strong commitment to each other. We strive to create fulfilling career opportunities for each other, pushing boundaries and encouraging personal growth. This translates to a passionate and collaborative team that is continuously learning, constantly innovating and seeking solutions.

We deploy this powerful team to markets that are essential for human well-being, like national defense, air transportation, commercial buildings, data centers, food and beverage, space exploration, personal and household products, pharmaceuticals, and more.

Anything else you’d like to add that would help people get to know you?

I'm a lifelong learner. Curiosity fuels my fire, and I'm constantly seeking new knowledge, exploring different perspectives and pushing myself to grow.

Failure is my steppingstone, not my stumbling block. Instead of fearing failure, I see it as an opportunity to learn, adapt and improve. It's through these challenges that I gain valuable insights and ultimately reach my goals.

My faith shapes my approach. While I navigate the corporate world, my faith serves as a guiding light. It instills in me values like integrity, compassion and service, which influence my interactions with colleagues and the way I approach my work.