Small-Town Roots. Federal-Grade Capability.
Founded by Randy and Peggy Kinder in 1982, RKE Contractors still calls Dexter, Missouri home — while self-performing civil work for federal agencies across the country.
America's infrastructure is the backbone of its prosperity and security. At RKE, we're proud to build projects that protect communities, strengthen our economy, and serve the nation for decades to come. Every project is a commitment to quality, durability, and the generations that will depend on it.
Four Decades in a Big Way
RKE has spent nearly half a century serving public and commercial markets in a big way while holding onto its small-town Dexter roots. Today the company competes for and completes federal contracts nationwide as a general contractor that self-performs core work and manages subcontractors.
It Started With One Name on the Sign
Here is an early example of our name on a federal sign board: the St. Francis Basin Project, Honey Cypress Creek Channel Improvement, under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Memphis District. Four decades of that work — done safely, done right — grew a single excavating outfit into RKE Contractors.
The Road From 1982
1982
1989
2007
2020
2022
TodayFour Decades on the Job
From film-era draglines to today's long-reach excavators — channels, culverts, revetment, and structures, self-performed by RKE crews.
Not Just Credentials — Eligibility
RKE holds active SBA HUBZone and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned certifications — determining which federal opportunities the company can compete for and signaling credibility to contracting officers and prime contractors.
- HUBZone Certified — set-aside eligibility plus a price-evaluation preference in full and open competition
- Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) — set-aside and priority consideration on VA and federal work
- SBA Small Business — eligible for small-business set-aside contracts
Safety
Priority #1, backed by USACE safety recognition.
Quality
Proactive management and total quality control that avoid costly mistakes and delays.
Integrity
We do what we say and we say what we do.
Earned, Many From USACE
Carrying the Company Forward
Leadership and legacy, honoring Randy and Peggy Kinder
What Our Customers Are Saying
John Cochran Building 29 Demo
Their Quality Control program is exceptional and meets the contract requirements without needless rework or confusion before each activity. They set the bar early and often to make sure the project provides the quality required in the contract documents.
Horton Slough Trail
I can honestly Say that you guys were the best contractors I have ever worked with.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is RKE Contractors?
RKE Contractors is the operating name of Randy Kinder Excavating, Inc., a heavy civil, commercial, and federal construction contractor based in Dexter, Missouri.
When was RKE Contractors founded?
1982.
Is RKE Contractors a certified small business?
Yes. RKE is SBA, HUBZone, and SDVOSB-certified.