A Century of Roads, Innovation, Community with Geneva Construction
BY Mary L. Starkey
Geneva Construction Company celebrates centennial with quality asphalt paving for Illinois
Geneva Construction Company traces its roots to 1926, when it was founded in Geneva, Illinois, by the McCarthy Improvement Company of Davenport, Iowa. At the time, team members were working on gas pipelines for Northern Illinois Gas.
In the early decades of the 20th century, as motor vehicles became more common and urban landscapes expanded, the Fox Valley region in Illinois faced an urgent need for better roads and modern transportation infrastructure. It was in the era of growth and innovation that Geneva Construction company was established.
In a video released by the City of Aurora, officials explained, “The city of Aurora is proud to share the story of a company whose work has shaped the community we call home. It began in 1926 when Geneva Construction was incorporated in Geneva, Illinois, by McCarthy Improvement Company of Davenport, Iowa. Gilbert N. Bryan was elected president, laying the foundation for a legacy that would span generations. Just over a decade later, in 1937, the company moved its corporate offices to the old second building in Aurora, Illinois. A move that would anchor its future in our city for decades to come.”
The company’s earliest projects coincided with a transformative period for American infrastructure. Automobiles were reshaping how people lived and worked, and municipalities relied on skilled contractors to lay durable roads that could handle increasing traffic. Geneva Construction entered this ecosystem with the expertise and ambition needed to thrive.
In the 1920s, companies like Geneva Construction advanced to using manually adjusted paving equipment like the Barber-Greene paver and Austin-Western rollers, increasing the efficiency of roadway paving.
Skills and Equipment
Under the leadership of its first president, Gilbert N. Bryan, the company set out to build reliable, resilient pavement that would stand the test of time. Yet, machinery and materials in the early 1930s were rudimentary compared to later standards, so much of the work remained labor-intensive, relying on skilled crews working long hours to place and finish pavement surfacing.
In the 1930s, Geneva Construction became one of the early adopters of mechanized asphalt paving, owning one of the first paving machines produced by the Barber-Greene Company of Aurora, Illinois (later purchased by Astec). Designed by Harry Barber, this innovative asphalt paver combined mixing and placement into a single, continuous process, allowing Geneva Construction to pave roads more efficiently, and with greater consistency than past methods.
Building on this advancement, Harry Barber later expanded Barber-Greene’s offerings to include a full line of asphalt pavers and asphalt plants. Geneva Construction’s first asphalt plant was also supplied by Barber-Greene, further solidifying a partnership that helped shape the company’s early growth and its reputation for innovation in road construction.
By 1956, Geneva Construction Company purchased seven acres along Indian Trail in Aurora, a site which became the home of the company’s asphalt plant. This served as a critical hub for paving the roads that carry the residents and economy of Aurora. Here we see trucks lining up to get mix from the company’s Barber-Greene BatchPac.
Growing Mid-Century
In 1956, Geneva Construction purchased 7 acres of land along the Fox River and relocated the asphalt plant from the North Avenue site. By 1967, the company moved all operations and main offices to its long-term site on the Fox River at Indian Trail, marking a modern era for its facilities.
A city official described those mid-century moves this way: “Geneva Construction purchased 7 acres along Indian Trail in Aurora. This site became the home of the company’s asphalt plant, serving as a critical hub for paving the roads that carry our residents, our workers, and our everyday life. Leadership evolved in the early 1960s, and in 1964, John G. Bryan became president. By 1967, the company strengthened its independence by purchasing 40% of its common stock and building a new office on Route 25 in Aurora, further establishing their footprint in our community.”
In 1969, Geneva Construction was named Asphalt Paving Contractor of the year by the State of Illinois.
Geneva’s asphalt plant was relocated in 1970 to Butterfield Road in North Aurora; it’s now Superior Asphalt Materials, a pivotal move that placed Geneva Construction at the heart of its production capacity.
Throughout these decades, Geneva Construction was part of a larger transformation in how roads, highways and urban streets were built. Higher traffic volumes and heavier loads from commercial vehicles demanded better materials, testing procedures and construction techniques. The company responded by investing in equipment, workforce training and quality oversight that positioned it as a respected contractor among local governments and private developers alike.
In the 1920s, companies like Geneva Construction advanced to using manually adjusted paving equipment like the Barber-Greene paver and Austin-Western rollers, increasing the efficiency of roadway paving.
Transitions
The year 1978 brought a significant milestone: ownership of Geneva Construction passed to John G. Bryan, solidifying a tradition of family-led stewardship. This transition marked the beginning of a new era defined by continuity, modernization and strategic growth.
Under the Bryan family’s leadership, Geneva Construction:
- Expanded its service offerings to include full-service asphalt paving, curb and gutter installation, and concrete flatwork, meeting the broader needs of municipal, commercial and state clients.
• Upgraded its materials production facilities, increasing throughput and enhancing quality control at its North Aurora asphalt plant.
• Reinforced its reputation for reliability and craftsmanship in a market that increasingly valued performance and durability.
By 1997, when longtime president John G. Bryan retired, the company was well positioned for continued success. Leadership passed to his sons, John P. Bryan and Mike Bryan, who brought fresh energy and modern business practices to an organization that had already thrived for more than seven decades. Under their leadership, the company earned dozens of awards and evolved into the respected organization it is today.
Mike Bryan, vice president, stated: “We run about 15 crews, about 130 total employees, with 20 of those being office people and the remainder being field personnel. I enjoy probably the people the most…We are a third-generation company. We have a lot of second-generation people working here so their fathers and sons are working here.”
John P. Bryan, then serving as president, said, “The United States was built on the back of Detroit. Automobiles, suburbia, and that’s what we do. We build the roads for these houses. We’ve worked with the city on a wide variety of projects, and I can remember going out and doing things special to make sure schools get open, the road gets done. Hill Avenue, Fifth Avenue, Indian Trail, they’re numerous. And we work with the city in order to make sure these projects are completed in a timely manner at the littlest disruption as possible because nobody likes ‘Road Construction Ahead’ signs. These mayors have always looked at the quality of life in Aurora and that’s really the best thing that Aurora has going for it; great things thinking about what the future of Aurora is.”
The city official remarked: “Under their leadership, from 1997 to 2024, Geneva Construction earned numerous awards from NAPA, AAPA, APWA, APAI, and local agencies, including the city of Aurora, celebrating excellence in engineering, quality of work, safety and innovation. These honors reflect not just great roads, but the hardworking people behind them. People who have contributed to Aurora’s growth, safety and connectivity.”
In the 2000s, Geneva Construction operates as a third-generation legacy reborn under new family leadership, continuing its historic commitment to quality across municipal, commercial and private-sector paving projects.
By 1956, Geneva Construction Company purchased seven acres along Indian Trail in Aurora, a site which became the home of the company’s asphalt plant. This served as a critical hub for paving the roads that carry the residents and economy of Aurora. Here we see trucks lining up to get mix from the company’s Barber-Greene BatchPac.
A New Chapter: The Krug Family Takes the Torch
As Geneva Construction approached its 100th year, the Bryan brothers saw that no fourth generation showed interest in assuming future ownership of the company. They recognized the importance of securing the company’s future through strong, values-aligned leadership. In 2025, the Bryans sold Geneva Construction to the Krug family, a well-established name in construction with deep roots in the Illinois infrastructure community.
The Krug’s leadership marked the beginning of a new era—one that honors the craftsmanship and integrity built over 100 years while preparing for the future of asphalt and concrete construction.
The transition was smooth and deeply respectful, ensuring Geneva Construction’s legacy remained intact while positioning the company for long-term success.
What began as McCarthy Improvement Company of Davenport, Iowa, became incorporated as Geneva Construction in 1926. For 100 years, Geneva Construction Company has helped build the streets, the neighborhoods and the progress of Aurora, Illinois.
Paving Evolution: Early 1900s to 2026
The evolution of Geneva Construction tells a story of longevity and adaptability. In the early 1900s, Gil Bryan built roads using horse-drawn equipment. By 1920, Bryan transitioned to Ford trucks marking early mechanization. What road crews did in 1926 looks entirely different from the highly technical, data-driven projects the company executes in 2026.
In 1926, roads were placed using manually adjusted screeds from Barber-Greene and compacted with Austin-Western rollers. Asphalt testing in the early 1900s relied on built test streets in the field, where performance was observed over time.
Over a century in business, every part of the process has transformed from asphalt plant operations and laydown equipment to compaction methods and material testing. Today, Geneva’s quality control labs are state-of-the-art, utilizing real-time density testing, fully digital data collection and national standards designed to analyze performance and prevent material failures before they occur.
What hasn’t changed over the decades are the fundamentals. Using good aggregate still matters; getting proper compaction is critical; weather affects performance; and quality materials remain the foundation of every durable roadway.
What began as McCarthy Improvement Company of Davenport, Iowa, became incorporated as Geneva Construction in 1926. For 100 years, Geneva Construction Company has helped build the streets, the neighborhoods and the progress of Aurora, Illinois.
Stats of a Century
As of 2026, the company’s 100th anniversary:
- Geneva Construction has produced and placed over 10 million tons of asphalt.
- Crews have paved over 9,000 miles of roadway—enough to circle the entire Fox Valley region many times over, connecting neighborhoods, schools, businesses and communities across northern Illinois.
- The company remains a trusted partner to cities, towns, school districts, developers and transportation agencies throughout the region.
- With upgraded equipment, advanced testing capabilities and expanded community engagement, Geneva Construction enters its next century stronger, safer and more innovative than ever.