In a basement on Wichita’s North Side, a husband and wife took a leap of faith—combining trade skills, business knowledge, and a vision shaped by the community around them.
Thirty years later, that decision has grown into Floyd Construction Corporation, a company now managing major federal projects and helping shape medical and infrastructure projects across multiple states.
But for Tarrance and Jacqueline Floyd, success was never just about construction.
It was about building something that would last.
A Vision Shaped by Black Entrepreneurship
Long before Floyd Construction was established, Tarrance Floyd was learning what ownership looked like.
Growing up near 13th and Kansas, he was surrounded by Black-owned businesses that modeled independence and leadership. One of those influences was Theodore Jones of Jones Plumbing Company, where Floyd began working as a teenager.
“I worked for Mr. Jones starting in the eighth grade cleaning out his trucks,” Floyd said. “But what stood out wasn’t just the plumbing — it was watching how he ran his business.”
At the time, the 13th and Hydraulic area still reflected a stronger era of Black entrepreneurship, with neighborhood businesses and organizations like the Urban League helping shape the community.
“I always worked for Black entrepreneurs,” Floyd said. “That’s all I saw growing up.”
Those early experiences didn’t just teach him a trade—they shaped his mindset.
From Trade Work to Full Construction
Floyd eventually entered the construction trades when he applied and was accepted into the Joint Apprenticeship Program of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 171. After gaining experience with companies like Star Lumber, Waldinger and Fagan Company, Floyd began seeing a bigger opportunity.
He wasn’t just learning plumbing—he was learning how entire construction projects were managed.
In 1996, he launched Floyd Plumbing starting with residential plumbing and trade-based work. As demand grew, so did the vision.
In 2002, the company expanded into commercial plumbing and HVAC services and changed its name to Floyd Mechanical Corporation, a specialty mechanical contractor.
“I have a business degree,” Jacqueline Floyd said. “So we combined his field experience with my business background.”
Together, they built the company from the basement of their home—one project at a time.
Building Through Pressure
Like many small businesses, Floyd Construction’s early years were defined by sacrifice.
“There were times we didn’t get paid,” Floyd said. “But we made sure our employees did.”
Access to capital and bonding presented ongoing challenges—especially for minority-owned firms.
“You might know how to build a building,” Floyd said, “but if you can’t make the money work, you can’t stay in business.”
Still, one principle carried them forward:
“Don’t quit. The road gets rough, but you can’t quit.”
The Break That Changed Everything
“At first, we were focused on plumbing,” Floyd said. “But we started seeing opportunities to manage entire projects.”
That shift required licensing, bonding, financial strategy and the ability to coordinate multiple trades.
In 2008, Floyd secured his general contracting license and, along with Mr. Elmer LuGrand — Jacqueline Floyd’s father — partnered to establish Floyd Construction Corporation.
One of the company’s earliest major opportunities came through a service contract with Boeing. At Boeing, the firm was exposed to plant process integration and large equipment installations in an occupied operating environment.
“When you can say you worked at Boeing, people know you’re capable,” Floyd said.
That credibility helped open the door to federal contracting opportunities.
Serving Veterans Through Construction
Military service also plays an important role in the company’s story.
Both Tarrance Floyd and LuGrand had served in the United States Army. LuGrand, who was serving as the organization’s Chief Operating Officer, helped guide the company as it became a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).
As an SDVOSB, the company received certain advantages that made it easier to compete for federal contracts.
With this designation, the firm was selected by the Department of Veterans Affairs as a primary contractor across VA hospitals in Wichita, Topeka, Leavenworth, Kansas City and Columbia, MO.
The company leads major hospital additions, renovations and infrastructure upgrades inside active VA medical facilities—work requiring strict safety, infection control and coordination standards.
Today, nearly 90% of Floyd Construction’s work involves projects within the Veterans Affairs Medical Center system, with additional work completed at sites such as McConnell Air Force Base, U.S. Naval Reserve Center in Kansas City and Fort Sill National Cemetery in Lawton.
A Company Built Around People
Even as the company has grown, the Floyds have remained intentional about culture.
“We try to create an environment where people want to work,” Jacqueline Floyd said.
The company employs a core team supported by subcontractors and invests in training and development. Team appreciation remains central—from job sites to shared experiences like attending a Kansas City Chiefs game together.
Building a Family Legacy
Today, the next generation is stepping in.
Their daughter, Justine Floyd Duckery, serves as General Manager, while their son, Tarrance Floyd II, works as Project Administrator.
“We’re grateful we’ve stayed in business long enough to bring our children into it,” Jacqueline said.
In addition to his work in construction, Floyd also serves as senior pastor at Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church in Wichita. His Christian beliefs help shape how he leads and serves others.
Looking Toward the Future
Floyd Construction is now managing some of the largest projects in the company’s history, marking a major milestone.
The company continues expanding its reach, including into Oklahoma, while developing future leaders within the organization.
The senior Floyd’s plan to gradually step back over the next several years.
“I’ll probably spend more time riding horses and driving my old-school cars,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jacqueline founded Whispering Meadows Retreat, a spiritual retreat home dedicated to helping people care for their souls by providing sanctuary, solitude and support.
More Than a Business
Thirty years after launching their company from a basement office, Tarrance and Jacqueline Floyd say they never imagined how far the journey would go.
For Wichita, Floyd Construction represents more than a successful business. It represents perseverance, faith and the power of a vision planted decades ago on the North Side of the city.
And with new opportunities ahead, the Floyd family’s story — and the legacy of Floyd Construction — is still being written.
