David Pepper
Leadership in Chicago and Midwest commercial and institutional construction
Inducted: 2017
David Pepper graduated with a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering in 1985. After graduating, he joined the family business, Pepper Construction Group. He built his way up to chairman and CEO and had many successes in that position.
Pepper Construction Group ranks No. 65 on the Engineering News Record’s list of top 400 contractors. Under his leadership, the contractor expanded into Ohio and delivered the world’s first LEED-Gold Certified Museum. The group was also in charge of the Wrigley Field restoration project.
Because of Pepper, the family business pursued community involvement through workforce readiness and school mentoring programs. Pepper also encouraged green building and waste recycling, pushing for improved construction air quality. In addition to helping his local community, he helped the Iowa State community with generous financial aid support and hiring of construction engineering students and alumni.