Francis L. Rooney

Class of
2020
Francis L. Rooney

Francis L. Rooney

"Oklahomans are the best people there are. This quality has given us a significant advantage for success. There is no better place to grow up, build a career and raise a family than Oklahoma."
Francis L. Rooney, 2020

Biography

Francis Rooney is a native Tulsan and fourth-generation Oklahoman. He received his education from Georgetown University and Georgetown University Law Center before returning to Tulsa to assist in the reorganization of his family’s businesses. The Rooney family established Rooney Holdings, Inc., a diversified group of companies including construction, real estate development, finance and electronics manufacturing. Rooney became president & CEO of Manhattan Construction Company in 1984, stepping into the role just as the Oil Bust hit Oklahoma and the surrounding states during the mid-80’s. In an effort to reach potential clients and increase visibility, Manhattan Construction expanded into Oklahoma City and Texas. These efforts yielded partnerships and opportunities in the Houston and San Antonio areas, as well as local projects throughout Oklahoma which built the company into one of the largest privately-held construction firms in the nation with nine offices in six states across the nation. Widely known for building high-profile, technically difficult mega projects—including Presidential Libraries for both George H.W. Bush (College Station, TX) and George W. Bush (Dallas, TX); Reliant Stadium (Houston, TX); AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX); Chickasaw Nation’s WinStar Conference Center (Thackerville, OK) and the Stephenson Cancer Center (Oklahoma City, OK).

In addition to Rooney’s business career, he and his family have a longstanding tradition of public and community service. A devout Catholic, Rooney entered public service following a Presidential Appointment to the United States Department of State as Ambassador to the Holy See and was elected Congressman representing Florida’s 19th District from 2017- 2020.

Fun fact

Manhattan Construction was formed in 1896 and received the first corporate charter from the newly formed State of Oklahoma in December 1907.

Oklahoma connections

Rooney’s grandfather Laurence Rooney established Manhattan Construction in the late 1890’s to meet the demand of settlers moving into the area.   With a reputation for honesty and hard work the Rooney family played a significant role in the building of th

Hometown

Tulsa

Profession

CEO

Presenter

Frank Keating

Born

1953

Died

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