The yin to Connie Gowder’s yang: Dave Hunley on 35 years of Connico

When Dave Hunley first met Connie Gowder, he had no idea they were about to build something that would last a lifetime. Connico wasn’t an industry name. There wasn’t even an office or a full-time staff. It was simply an idea Connie had, paired with the ambition to turn it into something real.

At the time, Dave was working as a contractor for the Nashville Airport Authority when he met Connie’s then-husband, Butch, through the job. That connection led him to Connie, who had just launched Connico and was doing everything she could to get the company off the ground. Her energy was contagious, and Dave wanted in.

“I wasn’t officially part of the team yet, but I was already marketing for her,” he recalled with a chuckle. “She made me business cards, and I started talking up Connico like it was my own.”

That’s the kind of company Connico was from the start: scrappy, determined, and willing to bet on itself.

When major projects in Cincinnati came through, Connie needed someone she could trust to lead the work. Without hesitation, Dave packed up and moved north, becoming the company’s first full-time employee. For the next 15 years, he handled every major project at the airport, helping establish Connico as a force in the industry.

“Connie and I were yin and yang,” he said. “She was disciplined and focused on running the business. I was the cowboy with boots on the ground, talking my way into boardrooms and making things happen. That balance is what built this company.”

The underdog that ran with the big dogs 

Connie and Dave were running a new company in a new city. They had to earn every opportunity, and when they got one, they made sure it counted.

“We were never the biggest name in the room, but we were the team people could trust,” Dave said. “We did things differently, and it worked. We were confident, honest, and weren’t afraid to get our hands dirty.”

Their big break came when Connico landed the contract to lead the runway expansion at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. It was the kind of project that could either prove a small firm’s worth or bury its reputation under the weight of expectation.

“That was when we went from being the little guys to showing we could run with the big dogs,” he said.

Connico delivered and set a new standard. By taking on high-stakes projects, working with difficult contractors, and gaining clients’ trust, they got people’s attention. 

“I’ve stood in front of CEOs and told them exactly what they needed to hear, not what they wanted to hear,” Dave said. “That’s why they remembered Connico. We didn’t play games. We just got the job done.”

That reputation opened doors in places like San Antonio, San Diego, and Los Angeles. Connico tackled everything from major airport expansions to strategies that reduced air pollution from airport construction. Their influence has only grown, and Connico is now recognized as a firm that executes and pushes the industry forward.

“We were doing more than building runways. We were building a future,” Dave said. “That mindset still motivates Connico’s team today as we continue to take on complex challenges and test the boundaries of what’s possible in aviation and infrastructure.” 

A team that takes smart risks

Connico has always been a place where people roll up their sleeves, take smart risks, and get the job done. 

Connie created a company where initiative was expected. As the first employee and a mentor to much of Connico’s current team, Dave has carried that forward, fostering a culture where confidence and capability go hand in hand.

“Some people come in with no confidence, and I tell them, ‘You need to walk out there with swagger. You’re the best in the business, and you need to own that,’” Dave says. 

That mentality has helped Connico stay ahead. It’s why the firm has been able to land massive projects despite its size. It’s why clients trust them to take on work that others can’t. The team’s experience – more than 500 years combined – reinforces that trust.

“We’ve always been thought of as equals, even though we’re typically one of the smaller firms being considered for major projects,” Dave said. “That’s because we act like it, and we think like it.”

It’s also why Connico invests so much in mentorship. Dave himself got where he is by taking on the jobs nobody wanted to do. “You want to get noticed? Take the jobs no one else wants,” he said. “That’s how you get ahead in your career and business.”

The company Connie built

As Connico celebrates 35 years, there’s no way to reflect on the milestone without honoring the woman who started it all.

Connie Gowder built this company from the ground up. She saw something bigger for herself and for the people she worked with. And even though she passed away in 2021, her vision still guides Connico. 

“She knew there was something out there, and she wanted to find it,” Dave said. “She let me come along for the ride. We built something that’s not just standing at 35 years; it’s growing.”

The values Connie instilled – respect, resiliency, integrity, inclusivity, thoughtfulness, and innovation – continue to define Connico. Her leadership set the standard, and as the company moves forward, those same principles guide every decision, project, and person who joins the team.

The next 35 years

This year is a celebration of where Connico has been and a look toward where it’s going. Dave is especially excited about how the next generation of leaders is shaping the company’s future. 

“Sri and Bryan are going to take Connico places we never imagined,” he said. “And they’re doing it by bringing in the best minds.”

That mindset is more important than ever. As AI and emerging technology rock the industry, Connico’s edge will come from people who think differently, adapt quickly, and challenge the industry’s status quo. No matter how the field evolves, Connico will stay true to its roots, which Connie and Dave planted 35 years ago. 

“We were the seeds,” he said. “Now the roots have spread, and Connico is standing tall, growing stronger and branching out.” 

What started as Connie’s idea 35 years ago is now a company with a national presence, a reputation for excellence, and a culture that has stood the test of time.

And if history is any indication, Connico isn’t just growing – it’s leading the way.